THE RECENT DROWNING FATALITY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2131, 4 March 1908, Page 3

THE RECENT DROWNING FATALITY.

(To tho Editor.) Sir,—Your loailor ol March ‘2im icla five to the drowning case in the Wninuitu river contains a paragraph which 1 think is hardly lair, or called lor, and which, if not contradicted, might have the tendency, to make Iho o who would probably he willing in oilier cases to assist, to withhold their aid. In tho ease mentioned, the only evidence that could ho obtained at the time, was that made by some rather excited ltoys, and stops were at once taken by the adults in the vicinity and near neighbors to recover tho body. At tho particular point at which the body was recovered the river is full of snags, and the lower bank of the channel is undercut, thus making it very dangerous for rescuers to dive or work there. Grappling irons, and other gear necessary for recovering a body From such a position as Mr. Toboe’s was in, ware hardly likely to be 'kept bv tlie residents on the river bank. Tiie task of recovering the body was no easy 1 latter, as was evidenced by the fact that tho police themselves did not succeed in their oflorts until about 10.1.5 p.m., even after having been su; .died by the neighbors with boats, grappling irons, ropes, etc., the Department supplying nothing. The sergeant of police was evidently so satisfied that everything was in such worthy hands that, ho considered it- quite unnecessary to come near the locality from start to finish. All means that could be adopted at tho short notice given were used, and the police were notified without loss ot time. 1 think if you wish to put tho blame on anyone, it any blame is attachable, it should not bo on tlm laymen, who at considerable risk endeavored to save the deceased, but the Department (say police), whoso duty it is to attend to matters of this kind, or rather the heads of such Department, who failed to see that the police, if it is their work to attend to such matters, are properly equipped with the necessary life-saving "apparatus. I feel assured that the volunteers present worked to tho best ol their ability, and should have been given lull credit lor the efforts tliov made, instead of having the slightest slur cast upon their work I have no desire to in any way reflect (far from it) on the good work dene by tlie police who wore present on the occasion.— l am, etc., AY. S. LUNN.

[Our correspondent apparently misunderstands the comments appearing in the leader referred to. AYe made no reflection upon the efforts either of the police or laymen to recover tho body of deceased. AYliat we did emphasise was the fact that the drowning took place in broad daylight and within sight of a number of bathers, and suggested that had seine of those present had a proper knowledge of life-saving methods and acted promptly, the life of the young lad might have been saved. \Vo certainly had no intention to blame anyone for the regrettable occurrence, and quite agree with our correspondent that tho police should be supplied with a full equipment of life-saving appliances.— Ed. Gisborne Times. 1

(To the Editor.) Sir,—AYith reference to your leader ol Monday re the sad drowning case, you have evidently been somewhat misinformed as to the true facts of the ease, as your leader gives one the impression that little or no effort was made to try and save the poor young fellow. A party of four of us were bathing about 100 yards from the scene of the accident, when our attention was attracted by a commotion up the river, and on proceeding to the spot we found three or four youths explaining what had occurred to j a couple of gentlemen (the dozen or more bathers mentioned in your leader, Mr. Editor, were conspicuous only by their absence). Poor Tobee had then been under the water close on live minutes, and one of the two gentlemen referred to at once took to the water, closely followed by three of my friends, and all were diving repeatedly until the arrival of the police, who came promptly to tho scene and commenced dragging, but as you are doubtless aware, Mr. Editor, diving into 20ft of water is a difficult feat at this particular spot, which abounds in snags, and had you been on the spot I feel sure you would say that all that could be done by the swimmers there was done. Trusting this will dispel the impression created by a portion of your leader, —I am, etc. “JUSTICE.” P.S.—lt. would be as well if the police were supplied with proper drags, as only one small three-prong one was used by them.