CAPSIZED BY ROLLERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 881, 27 January 1930, Page 1

CAPSIZED BY ROLLERS

MAN DROWNED ON FISHING TRIP RESCUE BY SURF CLUB Press Association NEW PLYMOUTH, Sunday. A civil servant, Mr. Leonard Lichfield Smith, was drowned, and Mr. Fred Fox had a lucky escape from death when a fiat-bottomed fishing boat capsized a mile off Woolcombe Terrace yesterday. Mr. Smith was a son of the late Mr. E. M. Smith, M.P., and a brother of Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., chairman of committees of the House of Representatives. It was not discovered that the' boat was leaking until the fishing ground was reached. The men commenced to bale the water out and the boat drifted broadside on to the rollers and suddenly capsized. Mr. Fox assisted Mr. Smith to remove his gumboots while they were clinging to the boat, and both men removed their clothing. Mr. Smith decided to attempt to swim ashore while he was still fresh, as he did not think the boat would float for long. He struck out for the shore, but Mr. Fox did not follow him for some time. The water on the reef was choppy and the swimmers were soon in difficulties. Mr. Fox then lost sight of his companion. In the meantime the alarm had been given and the East-End life-saving team, which had been practising, ran for a quarter of a mile along the rocky beach with the reel. They found, however, that the rocks prevented the use of the lifeline. Two members of the team swam out about 300 yards and rescued Mr. Fox, who was exhausted. Mr. Smith’s body was recovered an hour and ahalf later by the Harbour Board launch.

DROWNED IN RIVER

FIRST AID UNAVAILING Press Association WELLINGTON, Sunday. While bathing with half-a-dozen other young men in the Hutt River today, about half-way between Melling Bridge and the old bridge at Lower Hutt, Robert Arthur Woodham, aged 19, was drowned. The young man was a resident of Hutt Road ami was a plumber’s apprentice. It is supposed that he struck his head either on the river-bed or on a submerged object, which rendered him unconscious. He was taken from the water quickly, and attended by a doctor, but all attempts at resuscita tion failed.