Lost on Mount Egmont.

Manawatu Herald, 12 February 1898, Page 3

Lost on Mount Egmont.

THE SEARCHING CONTINUED. Last Tuesday morning, nothing bad been seen or heard— so far as we have been able to ascertain — of the missing man Franklin, who left bis companions on Mount Egmonfc on Sunday, and the searching is being vigorously prosecuted. Sergt. Stagpoole and Constable Lynd reached the Mountain House at half past seven on Monday morn* ing, but the services of Peters, the guide, were not obtained owing to bis illness. The two searchers were unable to search at all systematically or thoroughly, as the rain was pouring in torrents and the mountain was still enveloped in a heavy mist. They returned to the town in the evening, after meeting Mr Alfred Bell, whose efforts had also been unsuccessful. Coming in, Sergt. Stagpoole learned that a man had been Been walking quickly towards town at several places along the Junction Road, and it was probably the news of this man's movements that was the cause ef a rumour being circula ted to the effect that Franklin was safe- That report also reached the police, but we regret to say there was no truth whatever in it. Some friends of the missing man were busy organising search parties on Monday night, and collecting money to defray expenses, those who were asked subscribing freely. As a result, about daybreak this morning, Constables Lynd and Bussell left town with a party among which were Messrs Foster, F. Coleman, H. Rawson, Brown, Frost, Gilmour, and Reid. Yet another large search party started off a few hours later in a large brake, taking with them a large. quantity of provisions for themselves and also for those who had left earlier.— Taranaki Herald.