DROWNING AT PARAPARAUMU.

Shannon News, 29 September 1922, Page 3

DROWNING AT PARAPARAUMU.

Mr Henry Pratley, who was drowned at Paraparaumu on Sunday, was 64 years .of age, and a native ol England. He had been in Paraparaitmu for eight years, and leaves a wife but no family. The inquest was held by Mr W. C. Nation, District Coroner, the niqulry being conducted by« Constable Greggan, of Levin.

Augustus George Ogden identified the body as that of Henry Pratley. On Sunday last a party left Paraparaumu to go to Kapiti fishing. They used a motor launch. On their return they arrived at the beach about six" o’clock. A choppy sea was on. A dinghy was used to put them ashore. Deceased was in the stern ol the dinghy when he caipe ashore. The dinghy was hit by a big wave and swamped. All three in the boat were pitched into the sea. They were about 250 yards from the shore. Witness found himself by the deceased in the water. Deceased, who seemed to be cramped up, caught hold of him and he put his ami under deceased to support him. The deceased seemed incapable oi moving, and they both went under several times with the waves. Deceased had big sea boots on, and even if he could swim he had no chance. On rising to the surf&ce witness found himself three or four yards from deceased, and saw him sink, this being the last he saw of him. Witness was helped ashore. The body of deceased was found some hours later. The third party in the boat managed to swim a shorn The other persons in the launch got ashore in the dinghy without any accident.

Arthur Malcolm Brown stated that he resided at Haw era and was one of the party. They got back off the beach at about six o’clock, and started to land in the dinghy, three a 1 a time, with the boatman. The first party reached the shore without getting wet. The second party were swamped when about 20 yards from the shore, and also the third lot, but they landed safely. The fourth party struck trouble about 250 yards out. They saw three men away from the boat, then but two. They at once went out and swam around the boat but saw no sign of deceased. They passed the boatman (James Padden) and then Ogden. Witness asked Ogden if he was all .right and he said he was and asked them to go for Pratley. They found no sign of him. Witness said he may have been hit by the boat, or had a fit.

A verdict of accidental drowning was returned.