MAN DROWNED.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 841, 16 March 1903, Page 2

MAN DROWNED.

BRAVE ATTEMPT AT RESCUE.

A FINE YOUNG FELLOW LOSES HIS LIFE.

A very sad aliair occurred off the Waikanae beach yesterday morning, when a brave young man named ivy Hoiby lost liis life, in a gallant, attempt to save that of a noy named Douglas IVleuzies.

bume hoys were bathing on the head), ana three lads —young Menzies and two named Parsons—ventured a rather long swim. lUenzies, who is auoul VA- years of age, declared his intention oi swimming ,to me groyne, rie is a strong swimmer for las age, hut there ueing a strong undercurrent running yesterday, the little fellow was soon in diincuities.

Mr diaries Hansen happened to be walKing along the beach at, rlie time, and lie quicKiy ran abreast of where the boy was struggling, and about about the same time Mr Ivy Hoi by, wlio had been in for a bathe, and liad been running, ran to tne scene. As Hansen was swimming out to the boy 1-loiby snouted out, “You get him, and i’ll come and give you a hand to bring him ashore.” Hansen .was suceessiui in getting the hoy and liad taken him on his hack and was swimming ashore with him. He battled against the surf and undercurrent for a distance of two or three chains,and then had to relinquish his burden, the boy being taken in hand by Hoiby, svno had quickly gone out. ’ Hansen succeeded in getting to shallow water, much exhausted after his plucky attempt to rescue the boy. In the meantime Mr George Bach " iiad seen the struggling in the water, and he rushed to where Mr Arthur Richards resided, near the intersection of the beach with Grey street. “ Can you swim '!” lie breathlessly asked. In reply, Mr Richards said that hecould swim a little. “ Then for God’s sake come quickly !” was the rejoinder, and Mr Richards ran as hard as lie could to the locality of the accident. He could see a body in the water, and hear screams, and dashing out, he caught hold of the boy, On the lirst occasion the big waves washed the lad from his grasp, but he caught the hoy a second time, the lad being on his hack, floating, and succeeded in getting the boy to the shallower water, where a footing was obtainable. Mr Bach, who had waded'out up to his neck, then brought the boy ashore, and the little fellow was quickly conveyed to his home in Peel street, where medical skill was at once available. When Hansen plunged to the shore, he thought Hoiby was safe, but on looking round found that he had disappeared. “ Ivy’s gone,” he exclaimed to Richards. The latter, not knowing that anyone else had been in the water, asked what Ivy was referred to, and only realised what had happened when briefly informed

by Hansen. At that time nothing could bo seen of Hoiby, but later on I-larrison Solvauder observed a ripple

in the water and next saw an arm. The body was then brought ashore, about 2A hours having elapsed from the time of Die drowning until the recovery of tilt?’ body. The deceased

[ had evidently got the cramp, being very warm when lie went into the water. The sinews were contracted, an evidence of cramp. It is not likely thaP'he would have been drowned through exhaustion. A report that lie had been attacked by a shark was without foundation. There were no marks on the body. It was taken charge of by Constable Doyle and conveyed to the morgue. Ivy Hoiby was a Norwegian by

birth and a lighterman by occupation —about 27 years of age. He was a

very steady young fellow, of fine physique. He was cl a kindly disposition, and his mates speak of him in the highest terms. “If you wanted anyone to do a good turn for you,” said one, “he was always ready to do it—no matter what the trouble was to himself.” He was in training as an athlete, and had been out for a run in the morning. On leaving his mate, he said that he was going home, but lie must have changed his mind and gone to the beach, there to lose his life in rescuing another. He had been in Gisborne for over five years, and for a long period had lodged at Mr Shellard’s place. He had no relatives in the colony, but was in regular receipt of letters front his old home. He was engaged to a young lady in Gisborne.

Douglas Menzies is an adopted son of Mrs J. Menzies, proprietress of the Mafeking boarding-house. He had taken in a large quantity of salt water tefore he was rescued

Out of respect for the late Mr Hoiby, flags were at half-mast yesterday at Messrs Kennedy and Evans’ premises and on .the shipping,