THE ROTORUA BOATING FATALITY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 1, 30 November 1914, Page 4

THE ROTORUA BOATING FATALITY.

A SURVIVOR'S STORY. A. FIGHT FOR LIFE. ■■m Rotorua, November '2(>. Further particulars of the Rotorua boating fatality show that the party consisted of seven— Mr and Mre A. Smith, Mr Ridley (who survived), Mr and Mrs Webb and daughter, and Mr Edmondson (who were drowned). According to Mr Ridley, who is employed in Mr -Wrathall's joinery factory, the party left the wharf about ten o'clock in the morning in Mr. Edmondson's sailing boat Raatua for a day's recreation on the lake. The weather during the afternoon came on very squally.

THE BOUT CAPSIZES.

When about a mile south of Mokoia island, the boat was laid on her beam ends,' but righted, and the narrator began baling. The boat suddenly went over on to the other side and pitched all the occupants into the water.

TWICE PULLED UNDER. Mr Ridley came to the surface near Mrs. Smith, who grasped him. He went under again, but fougfit oVear. Coming to the surface again, he found himself alongside Mrs Webb, and she grasped him. They went down, but Ridley got clear and rose. He was, however, so feeble from swallowing water, that lie was not able to assist anyone. He swam to the unturned boat.

THREE SORVIVORS RESCUED. Mr and Mrs. Smith then came to the boat after lie had got hold of the bow, and then supported themselves' at Viic stern to balance the craft. A long time elapsed before there was any sign of help, and they were nearly "exhausted and thinking of letting go, when they were hailed by Mr Thompson, who came to the rescue in a motor launch. They were taken to the wharf. They were *ll very weak, but wore resuscitated by Mrs. Thompson and friend, to whom they feel greatly indebted.

In answer to a question, Mr Ridley said he was in the bow of the boat. He did not think the sheet was fastened.

A' SPECTATOR'S STORY. >Mr E. Butt, who was on the launch Rangitira, in company with Mr Hart/, and others, said their party was fishing. ■They dropped Mr Hartz to fly (ish, and the rest of the party went along trolling. While they were away, Mr Hartz saw the Raatua in difficulties, and when the launch returned at Mr ITartz's instance, they hastened to the rescue. Mr Thompson was passing, and they hailed him as he could get there fuv.t in his launch. Mr Thompson took off the survivors while Mr Butt and his party cut away the sails and rigging of the capsized craft to right her, and take her to the wharf.

THE "SHEET MADE FAST." They found the sheet fast and the body of 'Edmondson entangled in it. There was no sign of tly> others. The police and othj*rs are draggiii" in the vicinity.

THE VICTIMS. Mr and Mrs Webb are natives of Bradford, England. They had two sons sons, aged twelve and eight years. They lived in South Africa prior to coining to New Zealand. Mr Webb was a member ol" the Kotorua Rille r.nd Bowling Clubs. .Mr Moses Edmondson was also an Englishman. He leaves a widow, but 110 children. He had only been prevented from returning to England two mouths ago by the outbreak of the war.