LOST ON TARARUAS

Evening Star, Issue 22988, 20 June 1938, Page 8

LOST ON TARARUAS

SEARCH FOR MISSING STALKERS BAD WEATHER IN THE MOUNTAINS [Per United Press Association.] PALMERSTON N., June 20. A strong search party organised by the police left at dawn this morning to continue an unsuccessful search made throughout yesterday for two deerstalkers Arthur Regan (20), single, and Hugh Irwin Bowler (22), married, who failed to return when they were expected at 6 o’clock on Saturday night after being out all day on the Tararua Ranges behind Palmerston North. Their car was found on Green’s road, near the shooting area, but it is understood that the party must have gone higher to the bush country. The pair carried sufficient food for three meals. Sunday’s weather was much worse than Saturday’s, rain and fog making it doubtful if wood could be found dry enough to make a fire. Visibility was reduced to a minimum, the fog lying to ground level. Shots were fired yesterday, and one party, led by D. Honore, an experienced bushman with a mill in the vicinity, said they thought they heard a reply, but could not ascertain its direction. It is most deceptive country and treacherous in dirty weather. Previous parties ‘ lost in the same area_ have sometimes come out on the Wairarapa side. The police have parties operating both from Pahiatua and Eketahuna. If the stalkers come out' unaided they are expected to show up at the headwaters of the Tiritea stream. . Fine weather prevails in the city today, and conditions on the ranges are apparently very much better.