SEARCH FOR MISSING DEER STALKER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 94, 24 April 1946, Page 4

SEARCH FOR MISSING DEER STALKER

LOST IN RUGGED AREA OUT FROM WAIOURU WENT SHOOTING ALONE. A large party of police and experienced bushmen sei out from Waiouru yesterday morning to search for Walter Thomas Hoare, aged about 23, of 16 Victoria Street, Lower Hutt. He has been missing in the rugged bush, clad Kaimanawa Ranges, which lie oast of the Desedt Road, since Sunday, when he set out alone in search of deer. Mr. Hoare was a member of a deerstalking party which had pitched camp in the ranges about five miles off the Desert Road, and about 20 miles from Waiouru. Hoare, who had had previous deer-stalking experience, set out from the camp alone about 10 a.m. on Sunday, headed towards heavy bush country in the ranges. Hoare had a supply of chocolates and raisins with him, in addition to his rifle and 30 rounds of ammunition. When he did not return by Sunday evening his companions motored back to Waiouru, from where they telephoned the Taihape police. Constable R. Gardner, Ohakune, was advised and immediately began the organisation of a search party of experienced bushmen. Constables Adlam, National Park, and H. Rush, Taihape, joined the others at Waiouru yesterday morning and the whole party motored out to the vicinity of the camp from which Mr. Hoare disappeared. The searchers went out prepared to camp in the bush to-night and to-mor-row night if necessary, so that the fullest time could be given to combing the rugged area in which the missing man is believed to be. Sergeant A. Doel, officer in charge of the Taihape police district, told the ‘ Chronicle’’ yesterday afternoon that he did not expect lo hear from the party before to-night, unless they had succeeded in picking up traces of Mr. Hoare’s movements almost immediately. The country was very rugged and the point from which Mr. Hoare went into the bush could not be reached by car. The searchers would have to come out 1o the Desert Road and motor into Waiouru before they could telephone the results of their expedition.

No trace has yet been found of the body of Mr. Gordon Anderton, who was drowned in the flooded headwaters of the Rangitikei River last Saturday. He was a member of a deer-stalking party of four, two of whom did not attempt to cross the river. The dead man’s brother succeeded ini struggling across.

Farmers whose properties lie along the river as far as Hunterville have offered their services in watching the river banks in case the body should be cast up.