FURTHER DRAFT

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20523, 13 June 1938, Page 6

FURTHER DRAFT

POLICE FOR TAHAROA MORE OFFICERS GOING SEARCH FOR MISSING HINDU As indicated by the officer in charge of the Hamilton Police District, Inspector C. W. Lopdell, last week the search for the missing Hindu storekeeper, Dalu Desai, at Taharoa is to be intensified immediately. A further draft of men will leave for the scene to-morrow and they will be supplemented at an early date. It had not been definitely decided how many men will leave to-morrow at the time of going to press and it is understood that a great deal will depend upon the conditions- If there is every chance of getting a great deal of equipment across the lake a large complement may leave. Officers are being drawn from outside areas and already 'Constable P. Watts, has arrived from Dunedin. The cold, blustery conditions over the week-end have materially hampered the search In the sand dunes but the arrival yesterday of a powerful 40-foot motor-boat allowed the dragging of the lake to be continued despite the squalls. The launching of this motor-boat in the narrow canal was a difficult task but it was eventually completed only for a further hazardous trip along the narrow lane in the reeds. Several times the boat jambed in the canal and had to be prised off. Trying Conditions for Police On arrival at the outlet of the canal it .was found that huge patches of reeds and floating raupo were congregating there and unless the squalls die down and allow this to be cleared there is a danger that the mouth of the only route to civilisation will be blocked. The camp site is nearly knee deep in mud and the general conditions are very trying for the police party, under the guidance of Detective A. J. White, of Hamilton. Duck boards have been provided for the tents, but even this has failed to keep out the water. Firewood is scarce anywhere near the camp and the men have to bring back loads from over by the sand dunes when they are returning from searching. A high tea-tree fence has now been erected round three sides of the camp in an endeavour to keep out the strong winds but even this has been insufficient safeguard and the tents have to be carefully watched during sudden squalls. Under the conditions the police have made excellent progress as a very wide territory has been covered. On the lake buoys have been moored to define how much has been done and to ensure that not an inch of the bed is missed.