DROWNING FATALITY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3628, 21 April 1927, Page 2

DROWNING FATALITY.

MAORI BOY LOSES IIIS LIFE,

WHILE TRYING TO CROSS MANAWATU RIVER.

About midday on Tuesday, a Maori lad named Joseph Mason, aged 18 years, lost his life by drowning in the Manawatu River, at Marotiri. It appears that Mason and another native lad named Ruben Takarua, of about the same age, decided to endeavour to cross the river opposite Mr. Renata’s house, on a huge log they discovered coming down the river. Deceased jumped on to the log which commenced to revolve in the water and in order to keep his balance and try and stabilise it he drove an axe he was carrying into the wood. The log turned over again, however, and preeiptated him into the water. Takarua, who was on the bank did not become alarmed ■ as deceased was an expert swimmer and had a reputation of being able to dive half way across the river at this point. After, a few seconds had elapsed Takarua says he Saw deceased’s coat eoine to the surface followed a few seconds later by Mason who called out that he was in difficulties. Takarua, who is not a strong swimmer, immediately went to deceased’s assistance, but before he could reach him he had disappeared.

The police were communicated with and dragging operations commenced immediately by Constable Ryan, but without result. Constables Owen and Ryan commenced operations again yesterday but up till the time of going to press they had been unsuccessful in recovering the body. The river is full of snags at this point. Deceased had been in the employ of Mr. \Y. B. Stickle, farmer, of Papakeri.