LAUNCH CAPSIZES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3836, 25 August 1928, Page 2

LAUNCH CAPSIZES.

BROTHERS LOST. ’ ACCIDENT OFF PLIMMERTON. ■Wellington, August 23. The Secretary of the General Post Office has received the following message from the Postmaster at Plimmerton: —“The large launch Matakitaki, owned by the Brown brothers of Paremata, capsized off the reefs about two miles from Plimmerton at 2.30 p.m. Harry Brown and Alexander Brown were in the launch at the time. “The launch was seen floating for a few minutes and then disappeared. It was impossible to send searchers from either Plimmerton or Paramata as a heavy 7 sea is running and there is a high wind. A party of men left Paremata for the reefs near the scene of the mishap. The Brown brothers carried lifebelts in the launch.” A later messageFbtates that the search for the missing men continued until dark. No trace was seen but much wreckage, and the' battered hull of the launch was discovered. The cause of the disaster seems to have been the stoppage of the engine, the boat capsizing in the heavy seas. The two men were farmers who did fishing in the winter. Henry Brown was 53 years of age. He was married but had no children. His brother, who was 48 years of age, had four children. BODIES NOT YET FOUND. Wellington, Last Night. The Secretary of the G.P.O. advises as follows: — “Concerning the wrecked launch, Matakitaki, search parties from Paremata and Titahi Bay report finding a lifebuoy, portion of the hull, a sail and the mast of the launch off Titahi Bay.

“The bodies of the Brown brothers have not yet been recovered. “The Paremata party are still continuing search of the coast line.”