APPOINTMENTS

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10458, 24 October 1911, Page 5

APPOINTMENTS

SIR G. jISKWITH -CHIEF ...DUSTRIAL COMMIS-

SIONER.

Received October 23, 9 a.m.)

LONDON, October 22

It is officially announced that Sir George. Askwith has been appointed Chief Industrial Commissioner.

Mr George S. Barnes, 0.8., Comptroller of the Companies Department of the Board of Trade, succeeds Sir G. A&ikwith as Comptroller of the Labour Statistical Department of the Board. Mr Robert S. HeronMaxwell (Assistant Secretary) s\icoeeda Mr Barnes.

quarters of a mile from the scene of the accident. Every effort was made to restore animation when the victims of the fatality were brought ashore, and it was only after working for several hours that the attempt was given up. Dr. Stockwell was on the beach about lialf an 'hour after the occurrence of the accident, while Dr. Mandl, of Foxton, was thero an hour after. Their services, 'however, were of no avail.

THE INQUEST

DETAILS OF THE TRAGEDY

A PITIFUL STORY,

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

PALMERSTON N., Last Night

The inquest on the five bodies recovered after the Foxton tragedy on Sunday was held at Foxton Beacli yesterday before Mr Fraser (Coroner). Formal evidence was given as to the identification of the bodies.

Evidence was given by George Langley, boardinghouse keeper. He saw Percy Robert and Eugene Grove, with Mrs Grove and two children, Mrs Robert and two sons, Miss Arnold and Miss o'Sullivan eet out in an eigh-teen-foot flat-bottomed boat to get to the launch, which was at anchor about a hundred yards off, two youths, (Chrispanus Rol>ert and Campbell Turner) being on board the launch waiting for the rest of the party. The oars were small and the rowlocks too large. There wias only a few inches of freeboard, and it was blowing freshly, and with a fresh running out of the river. Robert was rowing, and the oars slipped from the rowlocks, Grove recovering them. They missed the launch, and were carried towards the. Heads. One of the ladies became exr cited at the situation. Grove took Robert's place at the oars, and water began to come oven the side, when the ladies leant to the other side. Robert stood up and waved (his hands for assistance, at the same time crying to the launch for help, and Mrs Robert also crying for help. The boat then went over. Captain Mounsey, W. Kirk, and others ashore saw the peril, and ran to launch a iboat. W. Young and Langley reached it first, having put off before the boat capsized. Mounsey and Kirk procured another boat, breaking into the shed for oars, with which they, also went out. While Langley's rowing Robert'sboat went down: They" found Robert insensible on the bottom of the boat, and being unable to* get; a heavy.<, man. into their frail craft they pulled him over to the other shore, and with difficulty restored him to consciousness. As the boat went over, Grave seized Miss Arnold, but was separated from her in the rough water, and swam to the launch, being pulled on board, and assisted the boys to go to the rescue. Chris: Robert sprang overboard to help his mother, and reached her, and not being strong was unable to hold her up, and was, with difficulty got back to-the launch, which recovered Miss Arnold's body. Mounsey and Kirk meanwhile recovered Mrs Robert, Mi's Grove, and one of the Grove boys, all floating face down in the water. As Grove was helping to lift the bodies on hoard the launch from Mounsey's boat, he suddenly recognised that the body that he was handling was that of his Tvife, and he cried, "Oh God! My wife!" and became insensible. He is now completely broken down, and his evidence was taken in bed, as was that of Chris. Robert. Robert, senior f was too ill for his evidence to be taken, and is in a serious condition. After he was brought to, subsequent to his rescue, the res.cuers were compelled to tell him his wife and children were safe, to pacify him. The Coroner found a verdict "That the deceased came to their death by drowning in the Manawatu River on October 22nd, 1911, accidently, and by misadventure."

'The Coroner added a rider that he was of opinion that more oare should he exercised in regulating the number of passengers to be carried in rowing boats.

Five of the bodies were brought •up from Foxton to-night by road, the coffins having been sent down during the day. The funerals of four will be held here on Wednesday. The body of Miss Arnold goes to Nelson to-morow. That of Miss Grace O'Sullivan, of Wellington, and Leslie Robert, aged 18, aad Douglas Robert, aged 8, 'have not been recovered.

The search is being continued, but it is feared the bodies may be swept to sea.

CABLE NEWS

United Tress Association — By Eleotrie Telegraph — Copyright.