NEWTON FLAT TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 17 March 1931, Page 3

NEWTON FLAT TRAGEDY

TWO MEN DROWNED. (By Telegraph —Per Press Association) REEFTON, March 16. Yesterday there was a double drowning fatality at Newton Flat. Tlmre were for men proceeding on a shooting expedition, and they wore crossing the Buller river in a boat, accompanied by some dogs. The river at this point runs very rapidly, and when the boat was near the centre, the dogs became rear, less and eventually jumped out, upsetting the boat in their .efforts. Two of the occupants, Mr W. Spiers, aged .24 (son of Mr F. B. Spiers, ot Murchison) and Mr Lynch aged 23 (sou of Mr C. Lynch, of the Six Aide) were drowned. The tragedy caused a deep feeling of sorrow, as both young men were highly respected and had many friends throughout the district. During Sunday afternoon the river was lined with residents endeavouring to locate the bodies. Parts of the river were dragged, but with no result. Mr Spiers was a married man and leaves a widow and one son. Mr Lynch was a single man. The late Mr Spiers is a nephew of the Mayor of Kuriiara, Mr A. B. Spiers.