MUSTERERS MISSING

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28821, 16 February 1959, Page 10

MUSTERERS MISSING

Two Men May Be Drowned (New Zeaiana Pres. Association) INVERCARGILL, February 15. Two musterers employed by the Invercargill branch at the Public Trust are missing in the Martins Bay area. It is feared they were drowned when they were swept off their horses in the Hollyford river this morning. The men, Kerry Smythe, aged 26, of Gore, and Allan Weir, aged 23, oi Slope Point, 51 miles southeast of Invercargill, were members of a party of four mustering cattle on the estate of David Gunn, who was drowned when his horse lost its footing while crossing the Hollyford three years ago.

None of the men had had any previous experience in the area and had little knowledge of the country. They had been mustering for 13 days, and were expected to be out of the area in three or four weeks,

Mr Murray Gunn, son of the late David Gunn, who is continuing his father’s tourist interests in the district, guided the four men into the area and left them at Jackson’s Bay. A radio set was carried by the party and when Messrs Weir and Smythe could not be 'found the Invercargill police were notified. Constable S. I. Wallace, of Queenstown will be' flown Into Martins Bay tomorrow morning by ah amphibian aircraft.

Constable Wallace will search the area but because of the ruggedness of the country his task will be difficult.

- The Hollyford river can rise and fall in a matter of hours and what is safe crossing early, in the day can be dangerous by ’ nightfall.