A Missing Prospector.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 223, 18 August 1884, Page 2

A Missing Prospector.

♦ .. — ■ A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE. (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Nelson, August 15. Eight; weeks ago Geo. Moonlight, one ot the earliest prospectors on the coast, and more recently storekeeper at Hampden, a married and highly respectable man, left the Tophouse with a man named Bailey, as mate intending to piospcct upon Mr J. Deans 1 Lake Station, about five weeks ago. They left Rainy Eiver for Fraser's Valley, but disagreeing as to route, Moonlight took one spar and Bailey another, the former arriving" two hours before his mate. Next morning Bailey went out prospecting, leaving Moonlight at the tent mending bis clothes. Bailey returned at 4 o'clock, but his mate was away that night and next day. Bailey shouted till he was hoarse, receiving no response. Bailey then left their camp for Mr TCerr's Station to get more pi o visions. On reaching there he was taken ill, and was nnable 10 return until 15 days had expired. He then found the camp as he left it, and, becoming alarmed, returned and told the station people. Search parties were then organised, and District Constable Gibbes, who was also despatched, now reports that he and fifteen others have been searching for ten days without success, finding nothing to lead them to beleave Moonlight had been there. They found prospecting holes m the bed of the creeks showing there had been no flood .since they were made; but Bailey says there was a flood after he lost Moonlight, and if so, it was argued that Moonlight must have been there since . Bailqy left him. Bailey is an old mate of Moonlight's, and appears to be well esteemed. Moonlight lias not been seen by any but him for eight weeks, and no hope is felt of finding him alive. Six or eight men and a constable have gone up to help m the search. There is some comment as to Bailey's lengthened silence, but those who know the man say there is nothing out of the com-, mott m it. ; .