MAN MISSING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 August 1938, Page 6

MAN MISSING

RESIDENT OF LANSDOWNE DISAPPEARS FROM HOME YESTERDAY. SEARCH PARTIES SCOURING NEIGHBOURHOOD. Fears are entertained for the safety of Mr Edward Welch, of Opaki Road, Masterton. He disappeared from his residence yesterday morning and a search of Lansdowne and the neighbourhood commenced yesterday afternoon and continued this morning. A large body of searchers is engaged, including police, Boy Scouts, Y.M.C.A. boys and residents. Last night was exceptionally cold and if Mr Welch spent the night in the open his plight could be serious. He is about 70 years of age. Yesterday morning at about 7.30 o’clock Mr Welch was talking to Mr R. Matthews, who lives near the borough boundary on Opaki Road. He then appeared to be his usual self, discussing such topics as the cricket test match. As Mr Matthews was proceeding down Opaki Road at about the same time, he accompanied Mr Welch, who called at the store and gave an order for bread before he returned to his house. The last Mr Matthews saw of Mr Welch was when the latter was going in at his gate. Nothing unusual was attached to Mr Welch’s visit, as he was often in the habit of taking short walks in that locality. Shortly after that, it appears, Mr Welch disappeared and beyond a report that he had been seen at about 2.30 p.m. going north along Opaki Road, nothing further has been heard of him. Early this morning, an announcement was made over the wireless to the effect that he was missing. FOUND DEAD. REPORT TO POLICE, TODAY. Ite was reported to the pdlipe this afternoon that Mr Welch had been found dead in Burgess's Swamp, Lansdowne, at 1.20 p.m. j

The late Mr Welch, who was born in 1868, was a well-known footballer, cricketer, and quoits player in his younger days. He was a member of the first Red Star football team in 1885 and played for the club for several years. He was later president of the club for several years. He was captain of the Carlton senior cricket eleven for several seasons when the team won championship honours on more than one occasion. He was also captain of the now-defunct Carlton Quoits Club some 35 years ago when the game of quoits was popular with a large number of local residents, the club being runners-up to Opaki, the champion club, on several occasions. Mr Welch retained his interest in cricket after his playing days were over, giving his services freely as an umpire. He was a very good slow bowler and obtained many outstanding averages in the senior competition. He was also a steady bat who could be relied upon to provide a fair share of runs. The late Mr Welch for a long period of years carried on business as a blacksmith in a shop in Queen Street on the site now occupied ,by the F.C.D.C. He retired many years ago, since when he had been chiefly interested in gardening. He took a keen interest in the affairs of the town and served on a number of institutions, including the Lansdowne school committee. He leaves a widow, who is an invalid. but no children.