NAPIER.

Thames Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5281, 21 December 1885, Page 2

NAPIER.

This day. A fatal bathing accident occurred jester* day afternoon in Lutaekuri river. Three sons of Mr S. J. Williams, and another lad named Birch, had been swimming till they were tired, and on returning to the bank, and just before entering a belt of long weeds, Arthur Williams, aged 17. went down. Birch tried to stand, but the water was too deep, and getting overcome was obliged to straggle ashore. An alarm was raised and Messrs Harrap and McVay who were in a boat near the spot came up as quickly as possible., Both gentlemen hurriedly stripped tod difed where the

deceased went down. They dived many times unsuccessfully, when a Maori youth in the employ of the Bishop of Waiapu came up, and swimming under water, touched the body which came to the surface. Every effort was made to restore animation, but without avail. In the meantime medical assistance had been sent for, and on arrival most strenuous efforts were made by three medical gentlemen to resuscitate the diseased, galvanic and other treatment being persevered in for over an hour and a half, bat unfortunately without sucoess. The body was afterwards conveyed to the bereaved parent's house, where an inquest was held to-day, the verdict being " accidentally drowned." The Hawke's Bay County Council voted to day £100 to the late Chairman Mr F. Sutton, for valuable services rendered during many years of office.