NO SIGN SINCE MONDAY

Evening Star, Issue 24016, 15 October 1941, Page 6

NO SIGN SINCE MONDAY

FIRST DAY OF INTENSIVE SEARCH (P.A.) GREYMOUTH, Oct*. 14. It is now six- days since Stanley Georg© Eric Graham, tho 41-y6ar-old. Koiterangi farmer, disappeared after shootings in which four members of the Police Force lost their lives, and there is yet no indication when or where he might be found. 'More than 70 members of the Poiiioe Force, with over 50 Home Guards and volunteers, and. with the co-operation of tho Army and Air Force, continued to-daj the search of the vast area of bush and scrub country in the vicinity of Graham’s home without success. Although it is officially admitted that y Graham has been twice injured, the last occasion being on Sunday morning, the only occasions on which shots have been fired since have been on Sunday and Monday nights, but on neither occasion was Graham known to have been, involved. An isolated shot was fired on Monday night, apparently by one of the men on duty as guards. The searchers to-day were favoured with ideal conditions for the first day of the intensive hand-to-hand search, announced last night by the Commissioner, Mr D. J. Cummings. A considerable area was covered to-day by members of the Police Eorce, working in the closest co-operation with Home Guards and volunteers, whilst an Air Force bomber also assisted by making a number of reconnaissance flights at very low altitude. None of searchers was able to report having sighted Graham or finding any clues that might lead to his whereabouts. No searching is being carried out after dark owing to the danger in which those taking part might be involved in meeting such a crack marksman as Graham. The men are working as far as possible in shifts of about 12 hours, so that they may not be unduly fatigued. This arrangement was made by the Commissioner of Police, who, with Inspectors Colwell (Greymouth), Carroll (Christchurch), and Sweeney (Welling-, ton), is in control of the whole of the searching operations. v The wanted man is provided with good cover in the vicinity of his home, as well as further afield in the bush fringing the mountainous country of Koiterangi Valley. Knowing every part of the area, Graham could well have established himself in some secret hiding place which the searchers may 1 not uncover for weeks. He has, in addition, complete knowledge of the high country extending to the Southern Alps, which he is known to have crossed many times. The searchers include not a few members of the police who are natives of the district or have experience of the type of country to be traversed. They have received valuable assistance from the men of the Koiterangi and Kolkatalu districts. ‘ The view of the police is that_ every precaution must be taken to avoid further loss of life and to afford Graham no opportunity of surprising the searchers, even if the odds would appear much against him. Consequently, the searchers have been ordered to proceed cautiously in tho whole area. The condition of G. S. Ridley, of Christchurch, who was seriously injured on Wednesday last, and is a patient in Westland Hospital, remains unchanged and still serious.

' ’ PARLIAMENTS' SYMPATHY (P.A.) WELLINGTON. October 14. “ I know I am expressing the sentiments of this House and the country, when I extend our sympathy to the bereaved wives and relatives of the men who have lost their dives doing their duty,” said the Prime Minister. Mr Fraser, in a brief statement to ;ke House on the Koiterangi tragedy. Six men, he said, had lost their lives doing their duty faithfully, courageously, and well, and their _ names would be recorded in the history of the 'country as well as in the records of the Police Force for their courage, devotion, and self-sacrifice. Sympathy was also extended. said Mr Fraser, to Mr Ridley, who was lying seriously ill in hospital. The whole country had been staggered and shocked at what had happened, and in addition to extending all sympathy to the bereaved, the Government, ho was sure, would be expressing the opinion of the House and the country when it said that every possible and adequate provision would be_ made for the bereaved wives and relatives.