By Tom Clarkson This was a four day search, and the outcome, even over four days, was entirely attributable to track and clue awareness (not called TCA then). David Ferry was an 11 year old on a school bush walk not far from Waikanae. The group had walked some distance up the southern ridge track to Kapakapanui, and were making good progress back down. However on reaching the stream at the bottom, they were one short. David Ferry. It soon transpired that this young fellow had a reputation as a bit of a ratbag, and had discussed with classmates that he might disappear for a [...]

By Tom Clarkson Talking to Sue Cuthbertson recently she mentioned that her first search operation was the Neuweg search. I remember that one – a big search in the Tararuas, like a search is supposed to be. I know Walter Neuweg, he’s still around in Upper Hutt, and we’ve certainly talked about that search, one of our biggest bush searches of the 70s. Walter was an experienced and accomplished hunter, and always maintained a supply of venison at home. One Saturday in October 1976, he and Freddie set off for a day up Tregear Creek. Tregear Creek drains from Dennan [...]

By Tom Clarkson I was involved in this search as one of the party which lost a member, and subsequently was a search team member. Wellington Anniversary weekend in 1970 was fine and the Hutt Valley Tramping Club party of 14 had been making the most of it. The party had gone in via the old Schormanns Track from Putara (not too far from Eketahuna) and once on the tops had headed north and dropped into the headwaters of Ngapuketurua Stream. Most of the group had flotation equipment, mainly car tubes, and they were aiming to follow the stream right [...]

By Tom Clarkson This search sticks in my memory because in spite of being a major SAR operation, there was no solution, and Mr Smith is still missing. Jack Smith was in his seventies, quite frail and diagnosed as incipient or mild Alzheimers. He went for regular walks on streets and walkways near his home in Trelissick Crescent, Ngaio, and was recognised by many Ngaio residents. On the afternoon of Thursday 20 March he did not return as usual, and police were notified. It was unfortunate that within police it was not initially recognised as a SAR operation and although [...]

October 1980, Rimutaka Forest Park. A feature I remember on this one was the Reflex Tasking – and I will emphasise this here. Saturday October 4 1980 was cold for the time of year, with a southerly storm through the Wellington region. Nevertheless the Wellington Baptist Harrier Club had set out on a Saturday afternoon club run, with about 18 of them heading into the Rimutaka Forest at the Catchpool carpark and setting off over the Orongorongo track. When they reached the Orongorongo River most decided to turn back, and just the three fittest and fastest in the group opted [...]

Dudley Search, Ruapehu, July 1972. by Tom Clarkson I recently found some of my old notes which reminded me of the rigours of this search. Several unusual features on this one, including the fact one of the days was physically the hardest in my SAR career. Also navigation by dead reckoning, and improvised radio direction finding. I’m really just going to tell the story of a single day, with a little bit about the events leading to and following, to give the context. Brian and Ann Dudley were an Auckland couple, well-known in alpine club circles. Brian had an established [...]