Boating Fatality.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue XXXXV, 7 December 1903, Page 2

Boating Fatality.

DROWNING CASE AT TE HENUI. THE BODY FOUND. Early on Sunday morning a report was circulated in town that three young men hail Ikn/ii drownud a:t Te i Henui, and the ambulance was sent for.. Enquiries elicited the information, however, that the disaster was not so serious as at first reported, but still there was the sad news to relato that a young mau named Thomas Carter had lx*on accidentally drowned. It appeal's that tilie deceasod, with two companions Rowan anld Hdpklns, took a small boat at the mouth of the Henui stream to go out for a few hours-' Halving. Several other craft o; simf> lar proportions—about ten feet in length—but of much more fragile aiiid amateur-like coiistiucfon had , already l eached tlvo fishinggrouirds, and there seemed to be no reason why these young men should not be equally fortunate, but they hud onjy got a few yaixls from the shore when a huge wave struck the boat, and with the fast current of •the stream this 'had the effect of swinging her broadside on, and then she almost immediately capsized. There was a heavy sea running at the time, and the tide was full. Hoploins set out n't once for the beach, walking ashore with comparative ease, but the others tried to bring the boat to srftore, but were, earned farther and farther out to sea. Carter was observed to hold his arm out of the water, and this was taken as a signal that he was all right. After events proved, however, that it was a sign of distress, as he disappeared almost immediately afterwards. Meanwhile those on the shore had not been idle, though they little thought the two men were in any great danger. A boat, manned by R<fbbie and Calchett, put out, and rescued llowan, but Carter was not to be seen, Returning to the shore, this cockleshell also capsized, and again tlireo men were left struggling midst tho waves. To gain the shore was no easy matter, as the tidal current was strong, and there was a dangerous backwash that prevented a sure foothold being obtained. When fiit last they landed on terra firma they were completely exhausted, llowan especially so, and It is said that lie owes his life to tho strenuous efforts of Calchett and Robbie. Mesdames Messenger and Murton were soon on the scene with restoratives, and many willing hands were ready to assist, but with regard to the unfoi-tumate young man who bad disapi>caivd thoy were wretchedly powerless. The police were communicated with, and Constable Mcßac went out to the scene. The ambulance brigade followed, and later on Constable Woods Joined Constable Mcßae. All that could be done was to wiiit for the body to come jfUihore, 'but there wert many who did not expect this to happen for a couple of days at least, on account of the peculiar currents in the locality. The boat drifted ashore shortly after the accident, about 100 yands from the scene. The accident occurreu at about five minutes past nine o'clock, and just after one o clock the body was discerned about . vu " ds fl 'om tho scene of the fatality, close to where the boat had drifted. Tho body was still fully dressed. At the request of tho relatives the corpse was conveyed to the residence of tine deceased's mother.

The victim of this unfortunate acci'dent was a young man of 26 years, who was very popular amongst a large circle of friends He was the son of tho late Mr 1 nomas Carter, an old resident of laianaki, and resided with his mother m Vivian Street. He was em. ploy. l'd m the grocery business of his brother, Mr C. Carter, and made many triads by his genial mariners. He was a memlier of the Order of Druids, and oi the Taranaki Tliilea His remains will be accorded a military funeral, aaid will be followed by members of his lodge i n re«aha We join in tho general heartfelt sympathy which is fe,t for the bereavod relatives and friends in tins said and sudden affliction.