“A WRONG IMPRESSION."

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 676, 29 November 1909, Page 5

“A WRONG IMPRESSION."

THE BAICAIA BOATING FATALITY. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) , Christchurch, November 26. la connection with the fatality at the mouth of the E-akaia.,'on. Tuesday evening, it has been represented/by' Messrs. Eountree and Baiter, relatives of the victims, that quite a wrong impression exists in the minds of a. number of people regarding • the. conduct of-James Baiter, tho young man who was a survivor of the accident. ' The facts, are that .young. Baxter, who is a cripple, saw that the only chance of stopping the Boat was to get out; and pull it into the bank, which was only three feet away, and ho attempted to do so. .His mother called ont to him "Jump, Jimmy," and at the same time Hannah tried to pass out the painter, but was unable to do so. According, to Mr. Eountree, had not young Baxter been crippled with his paralysis he could have held the boat into the bank-in spite of the current, but as it was he could do nothing.and had difficulty in ' getting, out of the river himself.' There was no question, as has been suggested, that young Baxter was merely, trying to save himself. On tho contrary) lie was tho coolest and most collected member of the party,- and in spite of his physical infirmity seized the only possible chance of avoiding a tragedy.'" -. ■It is reported\from Southbridgo that Miss Hampton's body has' been recovered; A woman's hat has beon found five miles on the south: side of the' river..