ACCIDENTS & DEATHS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 224, 5 July 1939, Page 6

ACCIDENTS & DEATHS.

MAN FOUND DROWNED.

BODY IN A.WRECKED LAUNCH

(Per Press Association). AUCKLAND, July 4. Jammed face doAvnward against the fly-wheel of the fishing launch Maunganui as it lay canted to one side on the rocks at Rakino Island, Hauraki Gulf, the body of Mr Cecil Earl, an Australian, aged about 50, was found early this morning. The man appeared to have been dead several hours. When Mr R. Sanford, a nephcAV of Mr Gilbert Sanford, Avho owns tlie island, avas ’Avalking along the face of the slope about 8 o’clock he noticed what appeared to be a launch about 25 feiet long lying on Its side on a ledge of rocks. The tide Avas nearly full, and it seemed as though the tide and the speed of the craft had landed it on the ledge. Mr Sanford scrambled doAvn the slope, and saAA r a gash in the bottom of the hull. Beneath a single hunk he could see the body of a man. Mr Earl Avas a single man Avho lteed and Avorked alone. He had been in this country about 20 years, folloAving his occupation as a carpenter, but in more recent years he had been, a fisherman. From 1935 until the end of last year he had lived at Tuaranga, but at the beginning of this year he brought his launch, to and took out a licence to fish in January. He had no shore address, and lived on his launch. His nearest relatives, his mother and sister, are both in Australia.