Drowning Fatality.

Manawatu Herald, 21 January 1897, Page 2

Drowning Fatality.

Yesterday's proceedings were marred by a sad drowning accident in the river. A young man, Leonard Cole, lost his life in full view of the party of excursionists. It appears that Cole, who is now fishing at the heads, but who is a compositor by trade, carae-up in bis boat with his mate, Faulkner, to see what was going on in the river with tbe Sunbeam. As. they were sailing about some of the young excursionists suggested that they might take them for a row. This was cheerfully complied with, and on landing Cole made tbe boat fast on shore. Whilst he and his mate joined the par y on land Borne children got into tbe boat and playing in it loosened the rope, and as the boat worked off shore they managed to jump out, but left the boat to its own care. The gale raging soon took the boat to tbe opposite shore and left it high and dry. Cole waited for a ffouple of hours for the return of tbe steamer, expecting to borrow her boat to get his own, but getting impatient walked up the river and undressed to swim over for it. We may here state that the deceased was a good swimmer and he actually said to his mate who had asked him if he was sure he could do it, that he conld "do it three times over." The result proved otherwise, but the reason for his non success has not yet become evident. He was able to walk a considerable way across as the tide was low, and the actual swimming distance would not be more than 50 or 60 yards. He'had not swam a little, more than half the distance when he suddenly disap peared. Mr John Howan had been watohing on shore and noticed bi9 disappearance harried up to Faulk ncr and tbe two stripped and swam across but could not find the body. They got the boat, the cause of the accident and returned to shore. They say that the sea was wonder fully high on the further shore, rollers being from 8 to 4 feet high, and they surmise that the9e had broken over and drowned deceased. The tide was also running very strong. Constable Gillespie and a party under the guidance of Faulkner have gene down the river to drag for the body.