APATHY OF BYSTANDERS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 136, 9 May 1940, Page 11

APATHY OF BYSTANDERS.

CORONER’S COMMENT. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, May 8. “It is apparent that surf clubs, while desiring to do all they can 'to save lives,- are seriously hampered by lack of finance, ajid it is unusual, if not. something more, that there is not more help given to them by the local body that benefits by tlie crowds which go to tlie beach,” said Mr E. C. Lcvvey, S.M. (Coroner) when an inquest was held into the death of James Clifford Blogg, who, it was found, was accidentally drowned' at New Brighton on January 28. “I give all credit, indeed praise, to two. young men who went out in the bad sea to help, and it is indeed satisfying to know we have youths who- are ready and willing to do that,” said Mr Levvey, “but it is a lamentable thing, and very hard to understand, that no attempt was made by the crowd on the pier, some of whom must have kliown what was going on, to make a more urgent effort to give assistance,” he concluded, beforo giving a verdict of accidental drowning. JTlie inquest was Ik-Id under,a special dispensation from the AttorneyGeneral, failing production 'of the body. Blogg was a son, aged 16, of Mr and Mrs S. Blogg, of Beckenham.