LAMENTABLE DROWNING.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 286, 2 December 1889, Page 4

LAMENTABLE DROWNING.

LOSS OF LIFE AT ! POKSONBY.

MR F. DUFAUR, DROWNED,

This afternoon news reached town of a sad occurrence in the harbour off Homo Bay, Ponsonby, by which llr Fred Dufaur, formerly of Auckland, and late of Gisborne, lost his life by drowning in the gale prevailing to-day. It .was at first reported that it was Mr Percy Dufaur who had -met an untimely end, but later inquiries proved that this was not the case. j ,

Mr Dufaur, who is a widower, aged 44 years, was on a visit to liie brothers, E. T. and Percy Dufaur, from Gisborne. This morning* about 11.30 o'clock, the Messrs Dufaur, wify reeide near Home Bay, Ponsonby, 'observed that their yacht Maud was evidently drifting from her moorings off Homeißay. The two brothers, Percy and Fred Dnfaur, then embarked in the dingy from tho beach intending to board the yacht aiid endeavour t?b bring her back to her moorings. A very heavy eea was running up the harbour at the time, produced by tke strong nor'east gale, and they had mmo difficulty in keeping the dingy from ewavnping. At last, just as they yere alongside the Maud, a heavy wave came right over the yacht and broke on tho dingy, filling and capsizing her, and the two occupants were let struggling in the water. Mr Percy Dufaur just managed to secure a hold of the yacht and clambered on board in time to save his life. The other brother, unfortunately, although aswimmer* was carried away by the and after a short battling with the waves he was seen to sink. ! ;

Nothing further was seen of the unfortunate gentleman until a little after noon, when Mr Dufaur'e body (was washed ashore on the beach. Dr. Dawson and others were afc once on the *cene, and for two hours strenuous endeavours were mads to restore life, but in vain, as life was extinct. The news of the affair has deeply; shocked Mr Dufaur's relatives and acquaintances here. The accident was witnessed by Mr E. Dutaur and Mr J. B. Jackson; who rushed down to the beach. Mr Pprcy Dnfaur swam about 300 feet and thentofc on board a boat that was anchored there!

The deceased sank after shimming , between 50 and 60 yarde. The* first to put put in a boat to the rescue was Mise Kate Whaugh and a young man named Horton, who igj employed at Mr T. _T. Minefield's. They went out in a boat, Fbut were driven' back again. Horton f next went out in ' company with jj a man named Lysacht and recovered the body, which was brought ashore at Cfemorne and carried to his late residence, f