MISSING WOMAN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 39, 25 November 1938, Page 5

MISSING WOMAN

THE CLAVERLY CAMP MYSTERY.

POLICE SEARCH CONTINUED.

METHODICAL WORK UNDERTAKEN.

(Per Press Association.) BLENHEIM, . This Day

There is no indication at Claverly, the partially-abandoned Public Works camp on the South Main Trunk railway south of Kaikoura, of the search for v Mrs Harriet Jane Patience, who has been missing since early in October, being abandoned. Twenty police are still engaged in the search for the woman, who was last seen alive on October 4, and it is obvious that the authorities believe she is dead.

According to observations at the scene of the police operations, it seems more than likely that if the missing woman is not soon found the strength of the police party at Claverly will be increased. From the methodical system adopted, there is no doubt that if the body is within the area of search it will be found, but of course there are a number of other possibilities to be considered in connection with the woman’s disappearance. For more than a month a police party from Christchurch has been combing a wide extent of country, turning over the spoil and excavating fillings from tho huge rock cuttings built for the railway. So far the only bodies uncovered are carcases of sheep..

A patrol of the sea coast from the mouth of the Conway l River to Kaikoura, a distance of approximately 30 miles, is. being carried out daily. The patrol is being worked in three sections, and the advice of the Marine Department on the question of tides and currents has been enlisted. The nature of the coast, however, presents unusual difficulties for patrol work, for a great* deal is rocky and not easily accessible.

Judging from the persistent nature of the operations already carried out and what it is proposed to do it is apparent that the police are optimistic that their endeavours will be rewarded.