DROWNING FATALITY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1070, 1 March 1913, Page 2

DROWNING FATALITY.

THREE EIVES EOST.

A drowning fatality of a most distressing character occurred at Seatoun (Wellington) yesterday afternoon, by which W. M.* Ham, an employee of the Wellington Gas Company, and his wife and child lost their lives.

It appears that Ham, with his wife and child, aged four years, and a friend named Richard Potter, went fishing in a small boat (12ft long, with a sft. beam) off the Pinnacle Rocks. They remained there for a little time, and then decided to heave up the anchor and proceed to another point; but while Potter was pulling up the anchor the boat capsized. Potter and Ham managed to get Mrs Ham and the child on to the keel of the upturned boat for a few minutes, but both slipped off and were not seen alive again. Ham attempted to make for the rocks, but failed to reach them. Potter, however, succeeded in keeping afloat until he was rescued by a boat from the steamer Pateena, which was passing. He was taken ashore in an unconscious condition, but after half an hour’s strenuous exertion was brought round by Dr Herbert, and at latest advices was progressing satisfactorily. The bodies of Mrs Ham and the' child were recovered subsequently, but up to a late hour last night Ham’s body had not been found. The police, however, will renew their search for it to day.