COOK STRAIT SWIM

Hokitika Guardian, 19 January 1929, Page 4

COOK STRAIT SWIM

ATTEMPT CANCELLED. (By Telegraph—Press Association). \ BLENHEIM, January Miss Coppleston did not attempt her swim of Cook Strait, owing to the roughness of the water. She hopes to try in a fortnight’s time. CONDITIONS 'LOO ROUGH. WELLINTON, January 19. The conditions proved too rough for the Cook Strait swim and Miss Copplestone did not enter the water. She is returning to Christchurch and may make an attempt in February. A message received from the “ Even- V ing Post’s ” special representative by ■' pigeon post at 'four a.m. read: “Day breaking and proposing to return. Ladies of party all sick, and in addition very tired and at present are try-, ing to sleep.” The message indicated they would try to get out from their shelter, and continued that Miss Copplestone naturally is very disappointed, but it would have been madness to, have entered the water. Tlie party propose returning to Wellington on Sunday. Miss C'opplestone will endeavour to arrange leave for. an attempt in the second week in February. A later message says at 5.30 we decided to return to Picton, leaving the other launch, and we struck it prettA rough after leaving olir shelter. Ho\v4 ever, the fog lifted soon afterwards and the day is fine, hut breezy. Observation in daylight proved the impossibility of an attempt being made early this morning. A message at 7 a.m. stated: Back again at Te Awaiti. We were just leaving our shelter in Queen Charlotte Sound at about -1.30, when a thick fog descended. We stayed behind for a while with the Island Bay launch, on which were Mesdames Copplestone, -Miss Dale, a friend of the swimmer, and Mr Hartigun, who is returning to Wellington. -Miss Copplestone is with us and is going back to Picton where if possible she will catch the service car to Christchurch. •