DROWNING FEARED.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 219, 12 August 1930, Page 7

DROWNING FEARED.

BULLS RESIDENTS MISSING. (From Our Own Correspondent). BULLS, Aug. 12. Anxious looking knots of people congregated on street corners in Bulls late on Monday afternoon betokened some serious happening, and a gloom settled on the township as time wore on and no news was heard of the whereabouts of two young Bulls residents, Mr Victor Guinan, aged 22, single, and his brother-in-law, Mr Colin Campbell, aged 25, whoso wife and child also live here. It appears that the young men left Scott’s Ferry at daylight on Monday morning in an open 16ft. boat, fitted with a 3i h.p. engine, with tho intention of fishing outside the Rangitikei Heads. They were seen to cross the bar, and at about 10 a.m. were observed fishing some miles out at sea, in a line with Tangimoana. Tho river was in high flood at tho time, but apparently they were not cognisant of danger. Later on they were missed, and, when they bad not returned at 4 p.m., friends at the ferry became anxious, and, after telephoning news to town, proceeded to Moana Roa Beach. There they found some clothing, including two hats, a singlet, a pair of underpants and a gum boot; and later on canio across the rudder of a boat, an oar and parts of tlie woodwork of a craft similar to that which the men made their trip in. 'j.ho call for assistance in patrolling the beach was quickly responded to, but so far there has been no sign of the missing men. They may have swum ashore higher up tho beach, but both were stated to bo poor swimmers, and hopes for their survival are very faint. Deep sympathy is felt for Mr Victor Guinan’s widowed mother, and for Mrs Campbell, whoso fears centre on a missing husband and brother. Both young men were well known in football circles, and _Mr Guinan is a member of the Bulls Miniature Rifle Club. The boat had been recently purchased from Mr Jenkins, of Wanganui East, and had been fitted with tho engine in Bulls. Two trials runs had been made on the river, and on tile second occasion tho vessel is reported to have performed satisfactorily. Neither man, however, knew a great deal about launches or the dangers of the Rangilikei bar, and, although the sea was not heavy when they crossed, it subsequently became rougher, and even experienced fishermen, in more sturdy craft, would have hesitated about trying to cross tho bar in the afternoon.