LIGHTHOUSE TRAGEDY

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 667, 20 October 1933, Page 5

LIGHTHOUSE TRAGEDY

(Press Assii.-

inquest on cape maria van diemen f vlctims CAUGHT BY WAVE

-By Telegrap'h— Copyright).

Auckland, ThUrSday. A 12-year-old boy wqs called in to _qssist his father in the^ work qf lopking after the Cape Maria vari Ljemep.Iighthouse folloWihg the drdwriipg tragedy there last Saturday,^ acc.qrding to the story told ori fhe return of the Government lightKbuse steariier Matai. 5 The boy, Donald Young, son'of the head lightkeeper, helped his father •for three days until the Matai arrived with two assistant keepers. The Matai brought b'aek the body of Mrs. Minnie E. Newson. Mr-S. Gage, widow. bf Mr-. Frederick' Gage; and Mr. Newsdn also fcanie by the steamer.. t V. *, Gaptain Burgess, as coroner, _heTd an iftquest on the ship, aud.ih ^eturpirig a, verdict of drownin^. cqmmeuded the dead woman's .husBaud fprT his herbic efforts to.saye her life. i • It appe.ars that at the tirixe of the tragedy; Mr. Gage and vthe Neiy^Gns Were fishing. Mrs. Newson saw a hig wave coming, and shouted tp'^bbr companions, and rari. B oth Mr . N ewson and Mr.. Gage were sWejpt. iritri the sea. Mr.. Newson 'scrambled. " but and ran to get a fishirig line to thrbW to Mr. Gage. . ' . On returning a few momeiits later he was horrified to see his wif.e afeo in the water. He plunged ifltO ;tfie boiling surf, but it was riot riritil Mr. Mo'ung arid his sori arfived that the woihari Was got orit of the * water. No further sign Was. Seen. Gage, and artificial r espiratiori, ploye.d on Mrs*. Newson failed.-, :&i