Searches continue in bush hills

Press, 5 April 1983, Page 1

Searches continue in bush hills

Nelson reporter and NZPA A helicopter and ground search will be made for a missing hunter in the Mount Arthur-Flor Stream area in the Nelson back country early today. Another search will continue today in the northern Tararuas for a missing Palmerston North tramper, Michael Scheyevan, aged 19. Elvin Phipps, aged 31, married, of Richmond, Nelson, went into the Mount Arthur area alone on Thursday on a hunting trip. He was expected out on Saturday. Sergeant Roger Moore, of the Motueka police, said Mr Phipps was reported overdue on Sunday evening. The area was searched yesterday by about 60 men. No signs of Mr Phipps were seen, said Sergeant Moore. This was not surprising because so many people were in the area during the long week-end. Mr Phipps was known to be an experienced hunter; he had shot in the area before and he was well equipped, said Sergeant Moore. In the Tararuas, high winds and rain hampered a helicopter .search yesterday for Mr Scheyevan, a Manawatu Tramping Club member who became separated from others in his party during misty conditions on Friday afternoon. Constable Bill Fleming, of the Eketahuna police, said last evening that the party had intended to go to the Dundas Hut. Searchers had now checked all huts in the northern ranges but without success.

Five search teams of four people would go into the area early today. It was hoped that better weather would allow better use of the helicopter. Many people were in the northern Tararuas during the week-end, said Constable Fleming. “There are plenty of bootsigns of people going in every direction on the tracks,” he said. “That makes it a bit more difficult for us to pick up signs which could be Mr Scheyevan.”

He said Mr Scheyevan was believed to be wellequipped, fit, and to have a good supply of clothing and food.