INQUEST ON SHIP

Hokitika Guardian, 20 October 1933, Page 6

INQUEST ON SHIP

LIGHTHOUSE TRAGEDY SEQUEL. TWO DROWNED IN FAR NORTH. [ f . AUCKLAND, October 19. A twelve-year-old boy was called in to assist liis father In the work of looking after Maria Lighthouse following the drowning tragedy there last Saturday,' according to the story 'told on the return of the Government lighthouse steamer Matai, -The boy, Donald Young, a son of ‘the head lightkeeper, helped his father' for three days until the Matai arrived with two assistant keepers.

' The Matai brought back the body of ‘Mrs Minnie E. Newson. Mrs Gage, widow of Frederick Gage, and Mr New!son also came by the steamer.

‘ Captain Burgess, as Coroner, held an inquest on the shin, and in returning a verdict of drowning commended the ‘dead woman’s husband for his heroic efforts to save her life.

‘ It appears that at the time of the ;tragedy Gage and the Newsons were fishing. '• Mr-s. Newson saw a big wave coming, and shouted to her companions and ran. Both Newson and Gage were swept iiito the sea. Newson scrambled but to get a fishing line to throw to Gage. On returning a few moments, later he was horrified to see that his wife was also in the water. He plunged into the boiling surf, but it was not until Young and his son arrived that the woman ; was taken out. No further sign was ‘seen ’of Gage, and artificial respiration employed on Mr s Newson failed.