NO HOPE NOW HELD

Hokitika Guardian, 14 October 1932, Page 5

NO HOPE NOW HELD

FOR MISSING DEERSTALKER PARTY FINDS DOG AND GEAR.

A half starved dog tethered to a post, and portions of his gear were all the traces found of Albert John Codings who has been tout/iip. the desolate back country .for,; Three weeks, and for whom a search has been in progress during .the. past week. Little hope is rtbw field for his being found alive.

The search party, comprising Constable R. .Drummond, of Kanieri, and Mr Bert Cropp, set out last Saturday to search for Codings who had been absent for a fortnight, ..and for whom fears were then held for his safety. They had an unenviable task, their quest taking them through desolate, primitive,, mountainous country, through bush and scrub, in rocky ravines, and in miserable weather. A wide search was made in the vicinity of the Whitcombe Pass, and it was not until they reached Frew’s Creek that there was any sign of reward fcr their gruelling effort. There, in the bottom hut, the searchers found a portion of Colling*a gear, food and clothes; while ■ his tethered dog, weak after-days without food, expressed its welcome at the sight of Constable Drummond and Mr Cropp in no uncertain manner.

Heartened by some tangible clue upon which to base their search, the party renewed activities with vigour, but despite a sweeping investigation of the surrounding country, no other sign denoting Codings’ whereabouts was forthcoming, and the two men retraced their steps tcrif'Kanieri, arriving last evening for fresh supplies and a short, but well-earned rest. To-morrow they will set out again in company with (Constable Horne, oi Greymouth, and -will institute a more intensive search, of the same districts. Owing to the tiny huts which are the only places of accommodation to be met with, and the vigorous conditions which make sleeping out of doors almost impossible, the party has had to be confined ■to three members. Codings 'set out from Hokitika on Saturday, (September 23, three .weeks ago, and packed out from Mr W. .Ritphie’is residence at Koiterangi, with the intention of -going - to the junction of th e Whitcombe and Hokitika rivsrs to establish a deer stalker’s camp. He had been advised' by men, conversant with the conditions of the district, against making the trip, and warned of: the. : danger into this wid 6 and desolate region. He set out with his dog and food sufficient to last him for only about a week. Callings was employed at the Red Lion Hotel for four months, prior to which he was it shepherd «U a station at Cndgiebum. Upon his return Constable Drummond said that after the search at Frew’s Creek ft was apparent that Codings had takeln ihis rifle and some am■munition and gone to have a cast round in the deer country above the timber line.