NARROW ESCAPE FROM DROWNING AT GREYMOUTH.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume XIII, Issue 587, 18 June 1868, Page 2

NARROW ESCAPE FROM DROWNING AT GREYMOUTH.

The Grey Liver Argus, of the 23rd Hay. says: —A young lad named Grim To had a very narrow escape | from being swept out to sea on Thursiday evening. He had started from I the coal wharf at CobJoa in a small ! ilat-bottomed dingy to cross the river, which was running very strong. When about in midstream one of the gun- | wales gave way, and he could only use one oar, which to one so inexperienced was perfectly useless. The current soon carried the boat into the most rapid part, of the stream, and it was swept along at a fearful rate, the poor lad shouting an alarm at the top of his voice. Although he was seen before ho had reached Boundary street, ! there did not happen to be any boats hit that point, and it was feared that To would bo carried out over the bar. ! before ho had reached the end of the ■ Government township a boat was put jolt by Alec the Greek, Air Hansen, laud Air Ashton, but there was every I reason for feaiing that they would not Have been able to overhaul him. - Just his he got opposife to the entrance of the Lagoon, a boat containing sheep happened to be coming down, and the boatmen, named Antonio and Frank, at once pulled with might and main to overtake him, which they did, not far from the bar, and pulled him into their boat, leaving his dingy to drift to destruction in the breakers. The poor lad had not been without presence of mind, as he had taken off his coat, vest, and shoes, in case he should have to make a jump and swim for it. Great praise is due to the rescuers, for their exploit was by no means unattended with danger to themselves,