HEARD ON MT. EGMONT

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 65, 14 September 1934, Page 11

HEARD ON MT. EGMONT

PRECIPITOUS BUSH COUNTRY

FEARS FOR TWO OCCUPANTS

(By Telegraph—Press Association:) NEW PLYMOUTH, September. J3. The crash of a Moth aeroplane on the northern slopes of Mount Bgmont, or on the shoulder of j Pouakai Eange, with the possible loss of two lives, is feared. -The machine left before midday ion a photographing expedition, but did not return. .■ . .■ V ; The occupants are:— MR. STANLEY GREEN, a New Plymouth Aero Club pilot. MR. JAMES AUSTIN, tobacconist, New Plymouth, acting fts photographer. . ' ■' ..';■'■ Both are single men/ No-trace of either man or. of the maclunCf-'h^s yet been found. "'.-..• ■The aeroplane left the aerodrome at Bell Block, with a three horirV supply of petrol, and was expected -back within about two hours. Following the recent heavy falls, the snow Extends low into the foothills, and it wa| this that tempted the photographer "to embark on the expedition. Anxiety was felt at the aerodrome as the afternoon advanced and the aeroplane jdid not return. Other Taranalti i aerodromes were communicated with, but they had no information. SEARCH ORGANISED. Late in tho afternoon two trappers, Mr. Burrows and his son, emerged from the bush in the mountain' reserve and stated that they had heard aa aerop.lane crash in the pfepipitpus buah country above the Kaimiro district. One of them iirimediat£dy entered the bush to search, while' 'the other made for a telephone to inform the police and tho aero club. ': The alpine club, the -aero club, and the police, immediately set: to work to organise. search . parties, tho groundwork for which is aljvays in existence, but darkness had descended before an extensive search co'ttlcl' be made. The rough nature of thp .country, and. the density of the busji 'rendered wider operations in the pitch darkness utterly futile and- dangerous. p ;- Fully'©quipped parties will be waiting on. the. edge of; (he forest to start operations at dawij- . ..•■■:.- The blizzard of fhe. last few days has abated, and. the weather is .clear and bright> but very cold, with snow down to a low altitude, and the crash possibly occurred a,i an altitude of between 4000 and SPOQ feet. As soon, as the, light permits in the morning, . aeroplanes will : make a search • ? ■ ■ ■