Missing hikers found WEST VANCOUVER Police und members of the North Shore Rescue Team were called in (o search for nine hikers who failed to return from a hike along the Howe Sound Crest Trail Monday night. A group of 12 hikers had set off from the upper parking lot of Cypress Bowl at approximately 2:30 p.m. Three of the hikers were separated from the group and returned to report the other nine missing by 10 p.m. The rescue team was alerted at 10:50 p.m. and by 2 a.m. the missing hikers were retrieved uninjured. A police spokesman said the inexpericnced hikers had miscalculated the time they had available to hike before darkness fell. Helicopter hearing set A DEVELOPMENT plan for a proposed emergency helicopter landing facility in the 1300-block of West Grand Boulevard will be presented at 2 Sept. 12 public meeting starting at 7:30 p.m. North Vancouver City engineering and planning staff will make a presentation in conjunction with emergency health service repre- sentatives. The helipad will provide a facility to move medivac patients to Lions Gate Hospital, Emergency helicopters currently land in the area on an as-need basis, but the local emergency service community has asked for a more permanent facility. Members of the public are welcome to comment on the development plan. amaged freighter fixed at Versatile NORTH VANCOUVER'S Versatile Pacific Shipyards Inc. is cur- rently repairing the Soviet fish processing ship Irtyshsk. Vhe vessel was damaged after colliding with the Panamanian freighter Ocean Flame in thick fog off southwest Vancouver Island. Versatile Pacific was the low bidder for the $700,000 repair job, which the ship’s Vancouver agent, Carl Jacobsen of Maritime Agencies, estimated would take about three working weeks. There were no injuries in the Aug. 23 collision off Cape Beale, and though both vessels were severely damaged they returned to port under their own power. The owners of the two vessels each arrested the other vessel in- volved, and the matter is ‘‘now in the hands of lawyers,’’ Jacobsen said Thursday. Factory workers from the 104'2-metre Irtyshsk will be returning to the Soviet Union, but the crew will remain with the vessel until repairs are completed, Jacobsen said. ._C.’s population hits 3 million B.C,’S POPULATION hit the three million mark today. Government management services minister Cliff Michael an- nounced that between 6 and 8 a.m. on Friday, the three millionth baby was born in the province. ““We knew it was coming,’”’ Michael told reporters at a news conference Tuesday. The prediction resuited from an analysis of a computer-based model projecting B.C.’s birthrate and immigration statistics. Michael said every B.C. hospital has been contacted and in- formed that the first baby born Friday morning after the precise time established by the province’s computer will be named B.C.’s three millionth citizen. The winning baby will be awarded a $500 cheque from the pro- vincial government. The money will be placed in a trust fund for the child’s post- secondary education. By the year 2006, the fund will have grown to more than $14,000. Another gift is a silver cup from Birks Jewellers, a framed certif- icate, and numerous gifts donated by Canadian corporations ard businesses. What happens if the three millionth are twins? “The first to arrive will be citizen three million, and we'll also honor the second arrival as citizen three million and one,’’ Michael said. 5 - Friday, September 9, 1988 — Northi Shore News wee FROM RETURN FROM RETURN “Prices applicable September December 16, lass and AirCanada Your Air Canada Connector, offering Acroplan mites on all AirBC flights. January 3-31. L980, Kiekets aie non-refundable, Varying, advance purchase. minimuny and maxi skey and other conditions apply, Prices Gary apon time and ckiy of travel Seats are limited. Prived must commence by January 3ST. 1989. For complete details, cull your travel agent or ABC. For reservations call your travel agent or AirBC at 278-3800. The new spiritof the west. id Liaison Air Canada Connector