BOATING FATALITY.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 519, 4 September 1902, Page 2

BOATING FATALITY.

SAD ENDING TO A FISHING EXCURSION.

Considerable excitement prevailed in town yesterday morning when the news was received that there had been a boating accident in the bay. and later information confirmed the sad tidings that iff E. 13. Cartwright, a young student of Te llau College, hud been Irowned, whilst four others of the College students had had a marvellous escape. From enquiries made a Turns representative learned that a boating excursion to Tuamotu Island had been arranged by the students. It was agreed that several of tho party, namely, Messrs Brown and Wepiha (the wellknown West End footballers), and Ropcro, should walk to the Kaiti beach, while tho remainder were to row to the island and ferrv them across. The boat used was an ordinary keel-bottomed pleasure boat-, and was manned by Messrs E. Cartwright, Rauiera, Kawhia, Tawhiri Howinui, Wharo Waitai, and Clark. After clearing tiie breakwater a course was shaped towards tho Mimiro, the rowers keeping close in to the beach. When off Stony Point a heavy rollor struck tho boat, causing it to capsize, tho occupants being thrown a distance of about twenty yards so great was the action of the wave. Tho students endeavored to swim back to tho upturned boat, and four of them succeeded iu doing so, but Cartwright, who was fully dressed, was not able to do so. Hewinui, one of tho survivors, stated that when tho boat overturned ho saw Cartwright, who was about twenty yards from him, and apparently making little or no effort to regain tho boat. “He was dead when he camo to the top of tho water,”

remarked liewinui. “ I think lie was struck by the boat when it capsized, for ho never moved, but was simply Hosting about.” The four survivors clung to tho upturned boat, and shouted for assistance. Timo after time they were washed off tho boat, and it was with the utmost difficulty that they suceedcd in getting hack again. In the meantime the members of tho shore party had observed tho accident, and at once turned back to got assistance. Tho men wero not long in finding a fiatbottomed boat, in which they at once put off to to tho roscuo of their frionds. Captoin Kennedy, of tho Noko, which had just come into tho river, heard tho cries for help, and at onco turned tho steamer’s head towards tho scene of tho accident. Most unfortunately the boat in which tho shore party hud put off in came to grief. It was thrown oil to the Noko and capsized. After picking up tho occupants, Captain Kennedy turned his attention to tho four men, who had by this tune become separated from the boat. Two of them, Clark and Kawhia, wero picked up in an exhausted state. Another of tho party, Waitai, was a good distanco away, and would have shared Cartwright’s fate hail not Ropcro swam to his aid, as lie was going down for tho last time when Ins comrade grubbed Hold of him. Tho Tuna, returning from tho Mimiro, had also arrived oil tho scone, and Captain Bennie directed his course to the remaining survivor, who was tho furthest away, having swam away from tho shore. This was Hewinui, who, howover, was ono of tho least exhausted of the party. Two of the men, Waitai and Kawhia, had to bo carried on stretchers into tho Turanganui Hotel, and Clark and Hewinui wero also suffering severely from tho effects of their long swim. All the membors of tho party, oxeepl Cartwright, wero good swimmers. Tho accident occurred just as tho Auckland steamer was leaving, hut it was not observed by anyone on board. Great credit is due to Captain Kennedy for the timoly assistance rendered, for had the men been a fow minutes moro in tho water two nioro of their number would undoubtedly have been drowned.

Too much praise cannol be given to Dr Williams for (lie promptitude, skill, and care he showed in the work of resuscitation. It is probable that but for the exertions nf that gentleman there would not only have been one death to record, but two or more.

The late Mr Cartwright was 2i years of age, and had not been long in the colony. In July last came.he from Wellington toTe Rau College to read up for ordination with the intention of taking up work among the Maoris. During Ins short stay in Gisborne he was accustomed to assist Canon Fox on Sundays, and when

not engaged in country work read the lessons at Holy Trinity Church. He also taught in the Church nf England Sunday .School. He was of a bright and cheerful disposition, and although he had only been a short time in Gisborne he had made many friends. It was impossible to drag for the body at the spot where the accident occurred, but Sergeant Siddells has arranged for a patrol to be kept on the Kaiti beach, as it is deemed likely that tho body will be washed up there.