M.P.'S BROTHER

Hokitika Guardian, 27 January 1930, Page 4

M.P.'S BROTHER

DROWNED IN TARANAKI. (By Telegraph—Press Association). NEW PLYMOUTH, Jan. 26. Leonard Lichfield Smith, a Civil Servant, was drowned, and E'red Fox had a lucky escape, when a ,ffai>-bot-tomed fishing boat capsized a mile off Woolcombe Terrace yesterday. Smith was the son of the late Mr E. M. Smith, M.P., and a brother of Air S. G. Smith, ALP., and Chairman of Committees of the House of Representatives. The boat put out from the cove under Woolcombe Terrace, and it was * not discovered that it was leakiug un- | til the fishing ground was reached, about a mile out. The men then commenced to bail the water, and, the boat drifted broadside on to the rollers. It suddenly capsized. Fox assisted Smith while clinging ,to the boat to remove his gum boots, and both removed their clothing. , * Smith decided to attempt to swim ashore, while he was still fresh, as he- ' did not think the boat would float long. He struck out. Fox did not follow for some time. The water on the reef was choppy, and the swimmers were soon in difficulties. • Fox lost sight of Smith, . while meantime on the shore an alarm was given to the East End life-saving team, which was practising. They dashed a quarter of- a mile along the rocky beach with a reel, but found that the rocks prevented the use of the life-line. ’Two of. the.team swam out about 300 yards, and found Fox, who was exhausted. Smith’s body was recovered an hour and a half later by a Harbour Board launch.