GAVE THEIR LIVES

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 559, 11 January 1929, Page 13

GAVE THEIR LIVES

GALLANT RESCUERS DROWNED FATALITY AT KAWHIA (Special to THE SUN) KAWHIA, January 10. The coroner’s verdict of accidental drowning closed the investigation of a bathing fatality at Kawhia, yesterday afternoon, when a piece of outstanding gallantry ended in the death of two rescuers. The victims were: Mr. Thomas Bielby Dillicar, aged 50, of Hamilton. Mr. Clarence Hunter, aged 19, of X® Awarnutu. Mr. Dillicar was a well-known Hamilton resident and Mr. Hunter was the son of the late Dr. Hunter. Both were members of an excursion party and had walked to the hot springs. After a plunge in the springs, several persons entered the surf and two boys found themselves in difficulties. Messrs. Dillicar, Hunter and a boy named lan Selby, aged 15, of Kihikihi went to their rescue. Mr. Dillicar brought the boys to the beach but observed that his companion rescuers were in distress. Assisted by a number of others he returned to their assistance, and a living chain was formed. The party saved the boy Selby, but Mr. Dillicar became exhausted and disappeared. Launches reached the scene too late to be of service. This was the sum of the evidence placed before Mr. F. W. Platts, S.M., to-day. The coroner referred to the heroic manner in which Mr. Dillicar had met his death and praised Misses P. and TC. Knglish. A. and M. McNicol, O. Innes, M. Chesterman, and M. Mandeno and Mr. B. A. Winter for the part they plaved in forming a chain. Mr. Dillicar lived at Habilton since boyhood. With his brother. Mr. W. Wi Dillicar. he formerly owned a large departmental store in the town, and latterly he had been manufacturing condiments on a large scale. He leaves widow, and a daughter aged 10 years. , . _ ~ „ , Air Hunter, was born in India ana cnme out to New Zealand with his parents and settled in To Awarnutu about four years ago. For the two years prior to bis death Dr. Hunter practised as a dental surgeon. Mrs. Hunter, her remaining son and two daughters, reside at Te Awarnutu.