MISSING MEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23109, 6 August 1938, Page 16

MISSING MEN

TWO PROSPECTORS SEARCH FOR INFORMATION MAY HAVE ATTRACTED SHIP [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] INVERCARGILL, Friday Some uncertainty exists as to tho whereabouts of two prospectors, Messrs. Maurice Uovoridgo and William Don, who have not been heard of for about four months. The Invorcargill police are seeking information. In November Messrs. Beveridgo and Don left Hokitika in tho motor-ship Gael, which takes stores and equipment to the public works camps on tho west coast. They were landed at Kaipo Bay, about 30 miles north of Milford Sound. As nothing had been seen or heard of the men sinco February Mr. Joe Blaclde arrived in Invercargill from Big Bay in an aeroplane to inform tho police that considerable anxiety was felt for their safety. Nine Months' Provisions It appears that Messrs. Don and Beveridgo, who had enough provisions to last nine months and timber to inako a flat-bottomed boat, wont down to Madagascar Beach, which is just north of Milford Sound, and established a camp thore. Thoy had good tents and a garden when visited by a survey party in February. Thoy apparently took the boat back toward Martin's Bay, but were forced in by bad weather, for the boat was found on the beach there. There was no sign of tho men and they were found to have returned to Madagascar Beach. Tho going along tho coast is so rough that it is stated the men would have to swim in places. Tho nature- of the country can be gauged from the fact that it took tho survey party five days to cut a track of seven miles. Mail not Collected

In February tho missing men were waiting for fine weather to raft their gear out to Martin's Bay or Big Bay, as they had completed their prospecting. There has been mail waiting for them at Mr. David Gunn's hut at Big Bay, but they have not called for it, and it was thought impossible for them to get out without someone hearing of them or seeing them. When tho prospectors did not turn up at Big Bay it was believed that they would be camped at Kaipo, but Mr. Giuin was there in June, and there was no sign of them. Then a fortnight ago Mr. Gunn found part of a new flat-bottomed boat, thought to belong to Messrs. Don and Beveridge, washed up on the south side of Martin's Bay. It was this discovery, coupled with the fact that the men had not collected their mail, that led to fears for their safety. Believed Seen in Hokitika

Tho lnvorcargill police got in touch with Gre3'mouth and received word that' Mr. Don had been seen in Hokitika in March, when he had stated that the prospecting trip was finished and that Mr. Beveridge had stayed at Jackson's Bay to look for work. It' this is confirmed it is presumed that the two men must have flagged a passing ship to take them out, as it would he the only way they could go north without touching at Big Bny.