THIS DAY'S NEWS.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1943, 27 March 1875, Page 2

THIS DAY'S NEWS.

PIGEON EXPRESS.

■ Mackaytown, . 8 a.m. This-Day. A man has been niissing in the bush since Thursday at 1 p!m. There is no account of him as yet; and rery little hope of his being recorered alive. His mates came in at a late hour last j_night after making a strict s.*ej|rch. The following particulars I hare* gathered from the mate of the missing man, John Barron, who states that he and a party of seren men (known now as Barron and party) arrived in the Manukau from Christchureh. on the 19th March, and at Ohinemuri on the 22nd, when they camped on Mr Leydon's allotment. On the 25th the party were at work on their claim, about five miles from Mackaytown, close to tho track leading to Tauranga. Three men, names unknown, apparent^ prospectors, had dinner with Barron and party at their tent, close to .where they were working. After dinner, when' the party returned to their work, one of them of tbe name of Win. Booker remained behind with one of the three men mentioned. After working some time, Barron, wondering why Booker did not come to work, asked one of his mates,of .the name of Jim why lie was not at work. Jim .replied that he did not know, but supppsed.he.was in the tent. On coming home to tea, they were surprised at not findinghimjn the tent, and one man named Boyens who had not; heard Barron's enquiry,' said he bad seen Booker going in the direction the three prospectors had gone. - He left his coat and swag and everything behind him, and is believed to hare had money on him. Some of the party came in twice to Mackaytown yesterday to see if he had arrived, but had to return without any intelligence. The- whole party are now looking for the missing man, cooeying," and using every means in their power to attract attention, but hitherto without success. The search was continued all through last night. , The age of ;fche young fellow is 24i. Sergeant Gordon, in tho absence of Sub-Inspector NewaU, is sending out four of the Armed Constabulary as a search party, . and Messrs Leydon and Whitby hate also-gone out,

5£ cOJSJ£ nJ, ed by some natives sent out by Mr O Halloran. For the short time this party (Barron's) had been at work they had made a gool show in the face^nd were getting payable prospects. Ifliey found a piece of quartz richly staged with gold. I saw the stone, and butnfor the gold should have pronounced it hungry-looking, but it was from the surface.

Owing to competition amongst the bakers they have lowered the price of bread to 10d per four-pound-loaf.*" ' ■"*• Mr Moray, the new butcher, has commenced business, and has sheep hanging in his shop 9G4bs-weight. - > •;- >—«**.!. Messrs Jackson, Daykin and Stewart (Queen of Beauty) have been to the Bfiin and tried, the prospects in Smyth and party's,claim. I am informed t£at they washed as high as a quarter dirt*-to the dish frdm the leader. . • ■;■> tv*!"*

9 a.m. The*' Armed Constabulaty ,' search? aarty have gone out. The other party start - immediately. Uhere is considerable anxiety amongst the; people here^ter the matter. *. _ . Men with money are beginning to take an interest in this field, and they are looking afterthose wkd are "supposed to have a show. There is little news owinfc to the holidays. I hear that a rush has again set in ' to Waitekauri, occasioned -by \tfxe nn«ws that gold had been struck near Leahy's claim. I am off to look into it and will report fulL particulars. .- . ,