TOLL OF DROWNINGS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 53, 31 January 1938, Page 6

TOLL OF DROWNINGS.

TRAGEDY AT PAHIATUA. SEQUEL TO DIVE. Unusual circumstances were associated with a drowning fatality at Pahiatua on Saturday afternoon in which a young man, Mr Edward H. Davey, lost his life. Mr Davey dived into the Mangatainoka River from an eightfoot bank, about 3t)o yards downstream from Tararua Street. He land-ed-flat on the surface of the water and immediately tank, losing his wind, it is understood, by the impact. The body was brought to the bank by Mr G. K. Clavis, of Makomako, but although artificial respiration was applied it was not successful. Mr Davey was accompanied by Captain Hearse. a Salvation Army officer, and Mr L. G. Johnson. For about six months Mr Davey had been employed on the farm of Mr A. Hoggard, of Mangaramarama.. Prior to going to Pahiatua Mr Davey was in Palmerston North for a period > d was a member of the Salvation Army here. YOUNG BOY’S DEATH. THIRD AT NUHAKA. Per Press, Association. AYAIROA, Jan. 31. The Nuhaka. River on Saturday claimed its third victim so far this summer, when Desmond Smith, a Maori boy, aged eight, .who for the past two years and a-half had been living with his grandmother, Mrs Kopu Smith, of Nuhaka, lost his life. This brings the total number of drownings in the Wairoa district this summer to seven. The fatality occurred on Saturday morning, when the Lad followed two other boys about his own age to the river to water a horse. While there the lads decided to have a bathe, and selecting a shallow part of the river, waded across. The boy Smith entered the water again on this own. He was seen by his two companions, Martin Nepia, aged 8, and Paul Wliaanga, aged 7, to be walking into deep water, and they called to him to come back. The lad, who coukl. not swim, took no notice of the warning and, on taking a few more steps, he disappeared. The boy Nepia went into the water, and when his companion reappeared above the surface managed to get hold of one of his hands. However, he lost his grip and the lad again disappeared. . , Constable W. Houlston, of Nuhaka, dived into the river in an effort to locate the body. He was unsuccessful and it was not until yesterday afternoon, as a result of lengthy dragging operations, that the body was recovered. At the inquest a finding of accidental drowning was returned by the Coroner (Mr V. E. Winter), who commented on the number of children who were urable to swim and expressed the opinion that teaching swimming sliouhl he made a part of the school curriculum. AIASTERTON TRAGEDY. MASTERTON. Jan. 30. A three-year-old child. AVilliam John Morgan, was drowned near Wardell’s Bridge, Masterton, this afternoon. The child was with a party of picnickers, including his mother. After thev had unpacked their car he ran back for his teddy bear, and as he did not return within a few minutes, the party became anxious. Later two young men discovered the child’s body about a quarter of a mile further, down the river. / YOUNG MAN DROWNED. Per Press Association. NEAV PLYMOUTH, Jan. 30. Stan Hoby, a.ged 19, the son of Mr and Mrs P. Hoby, Tataraimaka, was drowned at Oakura this afternoon. Two boats were put out to search for the body, but were unsuccessful. One of them capsized, the occupants, however, being :n no danger. DROAVNED IN SURF. Per Press Association. AVHANGAREI, Jan. 29. J. R. S.' Richardson, North Auckland representative of the Auckland Farmers’ Freezing Company, was drowned at Lang’s Beach while swimming in the surf at noon to-day. He and his wife were the only swimmers in the water at the iinie. The body was washed: ashore half an hour later.