SEARCH PARTY FINDS MISSING NAVAL MAN „N WAIOURU BUSH

Wanganui Chronicle, 20 July 1950, Page 4

SEARCH PARTY FINDS MISSING NAVAL MAN „N WAIOURU BUSH

TAIHAPE, Last Night (OC).—An all-night search in the bush near the Waiouru naval station for Chief Petty Officer Fletcher, who became lost on a shooting trip, ended at 5.30 a.m. today, when the missing man was found. The search party, which included the officer commanding the station, Lieutenant Biggs, was led by a neighbouring farmer, Mr. K. Mulvay, Hihltahi, who knows every inch of the country. Petty Officer Fletcher was suffering from exposure and required medical attention. With Warrant Officer T. Wickham, Petty Officer Fletcher went shooting yesterday afternoon in the bush near the camp. They became separated in the evening and Warrant Officer Wickham returned to the station at 6.30 p.m. to report that his companion was missing. Lieutenant Biggs acted promptly and organised search parties which combed the bush all night in an effort to locate the missing man. A powerful searchlight from the military camp at Waiouru was brought into commission at midnight to aid the search. Available heln was also received from Mr. Mnlvay, who picked up P.O. Fletcher's tracks in the snow and led the party to the spot where he was subsequent!” found. The night was freezing cold, but t’ search went on till P.O. Fletcher was found. Warrant Officer Wickman returned to the lorality where he had last seen him and directed operations. The search party's anxiety gave way to relief when the missing *pan was found at 5.30 a.m. today. P.O. Fl "foliar is a cook at the naval station, Waiouru.