SAD DROWNING FATALITY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 60, 5 April 1909, Page 2

SAD DROWNING FATALITY

•WELL-KNOWN TAHA.N'AKI TEACHLP'S DEATH.

By Telcgraph.-Press Association.

«• i ,„ ~ Xll P il ' l '> La st Night. Richard P. Clarkson, M.A., Director oi tne Napier Technical School, was drowned at the men's bathing place ou the town beach at about 5 o'clock on Saturday afternoon. Mr. Clarkson, who was a regular bather, was swimming a short distauce from the shore when he sank. It was said that he called for help, and it is supposed that he either became exhausted or was seized with cramp. There was scarcely any break on the beach at the time.

Robert Uynaiu, the attendant, was not wearing bathing clothes at the time, but he was soon in the water and continued diving for the body ior about an ■hour without success.

The body has not yet been recovered, though dragging lias been continued since the sad affair occurred. Mr. Clarkson, who was a widower, leaves a young family of iive. He had been in Napier about a year. He was an enthusiastic worker in the cause of technical education, and had done valuable organising work since his arrival here.

[For many years Mr. Clarkson was in charge of the Norniiinby school, leaving that position to go to Napier. He was a man of considerable ability and promise.]