INTO THE SEA.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18480, 7 September 1925, Page 10

INTO THE SEA.

MAN DIVES TO EVADE ARREST. 45 MINUTES IN WATER. For 4-3 minutes a man at Lyttelton sought to evade arrest by swimming about Lyttelton harbour early yesterday morning. About 3 a.m.y a constable was called to deal with a disturbance that was taking place on Norwich Quay. He attempted, to arrest the man who is alleged to have been the cause of the trouble,"but the latter made off down to the waterfront. Two constables followed him and located him near the. Union Company's office. On seeing the constables the man dropped <v bag he was carrying and took a header into the harbour. He swam to where the ferry steamer usually berths and then some watchmen lowered a rope to which he made himself fast. The constables had been keeping in the background, but when the man was nearly

to the level of the wharf. they came forward to take him in charge. The man, on seeing the constables, promptly released himself from the rope and fell back into the water again. He swam across to No. 3 wharf and then started to, make lor the Gladstone Pier, at the other side of the inner harbour. Onq of the watchmen called to him that the distance was too far and urged him to return. The swimmer then made liis way tinder the fe,rry wharf to the stern of the liner Hororata, where lie clung; to , the rudder. He called to the crew of the vessel to lower a ladder for him, but there was no response.

In ilie meantime those on the wharf had passed another rope down, but the man obstinately refused to avail himself of the means of rescue while the constables were 011 the wharf. For some time he remained in the water, then finally exhaustion and the low temperature of the water made their effect felt for he allowed himself to be hauled up and handcuffed. He will appeal- at the Lvttelton Magistrate's Court this morning.