MISSING INDIAN

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20508, 26 May 1938, Page 10

MISSING INDIAN

SEARCH INTENSIFIED POLICE CAMP ESTABLISHED DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED The search for the missing Indian storekeeper. Delu Desai, aged about 42, has been intensified and to-morrow a further party of five police officers will leave Hamilton for the scene of Ihe search at Taharoa, about 15 miles south of Kawhia. One sergeant and two constables have been despatched from Wellington and two constables are also being sent from Auckland as Inspector Lopdell, officer in charge of the Hamiltonpolice district, cannot spare any more men owing to the approach of the Waikato Winter Show. The men will be under the command of Detective A. J. White, of Hamilton, who has been on the scene for several weeks. Arrangements were made to-day by Inspector Lopdell for the establishment of a more comprehensive police camp on the scene and stores and camping gear will accompany the further detail of men. Already there are four police officers from the Hamilton district stationed at the site and the augmenting of the force is the direct result of the discoveries already made, it being practically established that the Indian has never left the district. “ Every day we are receiving information that is of vital importance to us,’’ commented Mr Lopdell. “ The search, however, presents many difficulties and it is impossible to say when we will have any definite advice about the missing man’s whereabouts.” Rugged Country The Hindu was last seen in the district on May 7 and despite a very thorough search throughout the whole of New Zealand no trace has been found of him. From the intensive inquiries made throughout the district by the police they are practically certain that he has not left the district, and the search has been narrowed down to the Taharoa area. The search is bristling with difficulties as the country is very rugged, with a huge lake and swamp lands occupying the greater portion of the area. The township is inaccessible by road and the two alternate routes involve travelling by boat or by pack horse. The way that the few settlers gain an outlet to civilisation is by boat from the township across the lake and a walk of over half-a-mile to the terminus of the road that leads through Oparau and round the harbour through Klnohaku. The boats are on the township side and anyone approaching the settlement from this side has to notify the persons in the settlement of their arrival so that a boat can be sent to meet them. By road the distance is just over 70 miles from Hamilton and the boat and walking adds another few miles. The other access is by boat from Kawhia across the harbour and that way a pack horse track winding over six" miles of rough country leads to the settlement.

AUCKLAND POLICE LEAVE (By Telegrapn.—Pre<=a Association) AUCKLAND. Thursday To reinforce the detectives and police who are investigating the disappearance of the Hindu from Taharoa. Sergeant YV. S. Brown and Constables J. W. Saunders and J. C. Rossiter left Auckland this afternoon.