HUNTER LOST IN BUSH

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 379, 13 June 1928, Page 1

HUNTER LOST IN BUSH

MISSING SINCE SUNDAY SEARCH PARTIES OUT ONE MAN REACHES SAFETY (Special to THE SUN) WELLINGTON, To-day. Three parties went out to-day, jncludmg members of the H utt Valley and Tararua Tramping Clubs, to rescue Mervyn Hodgkinson, who was left in an exhausted state at the back of Mount McKerrow yesterday by Clarence Poynter, after being lost jince Sunday. Snow fell on the ranges last night «nd the task of the parties was a severe one particularly as Hodgkinson may have wandered away from the spot. With the bad night and the lack of anything to sustain him Hodkinson must be in a serious plight. about half-past five yestordav evening Poynter staggered into the homestead of Mr. Claude Burdan, at tVainui. so exhausted that he could only expl.in very incoherently that he had left his mate to come for help before it was too late. Hodgkin50n was very exhausted and delirious, for though they had been able to get plenty of water, they had had no food since Sunday morning. It was too dark hv then to start a rescue party, but as soon as day broke this morning a rush was made to the place where Hodgkinson is thought to be lying. It is said, however, that if he is delirious, he may well have wandered some distance away. Since Monday morning police and Hampers had been out searching for the young men, both of whom are married and live at Petone. Their efforts were without success, however, and hope had been practically abandoned for their rescue. It Is difficult to explain how the men lost themselves in country which they inew so well. On Sunday they were out shooting with Mr. J. Burns at the back of the Wainui reservoir. During the day Mr. Burns followed his dog down a gully after a goat, which he secured. When he came back his two mates had completely disappeared. He shouted loudly to them, but without result. After searching for them for some time he returned home under the impression that they had gone ahead of him.

From then until yesterday evening nothing had been seen of the two men. of them had food or matches, and neither was equipped for bad weather. Mr. Poynter had traversed the country many times. Mount McKerrow, where Mr. Hodgkinson is said to be awaiting help, is situated in the State Forest reserve between Wainui and the Orongo Orongo River. All the country about there is very rough and thickly covered with bush.