SEARCH HINDERED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 16 October 1941, Page 6

SEARCH HINDERED

HEAVY RAIN ON COAST POLICE PARTIES SCOI'K BUSH NOTHING SEEN OF GRAM \M ( liristcliurrh. Tins Day Koiterangi was quiet last night. Ram set in from the north-west at 10 o'clock and came down in torrents. This morning police parlies were out scouring the bush, once more their search being chiefly directed over ail area east of Koiterangi. where Graham is supposed to have been seen on Tuesday night. A combined search on a big scale by the police and residents was railed oil. There is good reason to believe now that Graham is not as badly wounded as was at first thought. The police at Koiterangi said this morning they could not confirm the fact that tracks had been found in the Mount Doughboy Selected police parties from the day shift of 80 men available went out this morning, accompanied by local guardsmen who have expert knowledge of the country. An aerial search late yesterday afternoon revealed nothing of Graham's movements, but was valuable in uncovering many possible* hiding places in the Hokitika Valiev country and round Mount Doughboy. ' The police now seem certain this is the most likely area in which to find Graham. In this wild country there are many huts used by deer-stalkers ana mustcrers and with wild weather blowing up it is probable Graham would use one of these shelters instead of staying in the dank, dripping bush. From Smith’s hut. where he abandoned clothing, to the Mt. Doughboy region, i.s not more than five miles as the crow flies The story that boot marks had been found and tin* trail picked up near Growcott's vesterday afternoon was denied by the police this morning. It was also stated there was no truth in the report that Graham had been seen at Stopforth's timber mill, east of Mt. Doughbov, and further into the ranges. P.A. '