MAN AND BOY DROWNED.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 137, 12 June 1922, Page 4

MAN AND BOY DROWNED.

HARBOUR FATALITY. ATTEMPT TO RESCUE CHILD. A fatality which resulted in the loss of two lives occurred in the Auckland Harbour shortly after 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon, when Mr. Robert McCready, a. single man, 29 yeare of age, lost his life in an attempt to rescue his seven-years-old nephevr, Blair McOready, ■Who fell overboard from the launch Iris, and was also drowned. Mr. MeCready had been cruising all day in the Iris, which he owned, and, besides himself and the boy there were his brother, Mr. Thomas MeCready, his brother's wife, and their other child Robert, aged four. A short time before the fatality Mrs. MeCready larded, and the launch was taken to an anchorage off Shoal Bay for fishing. While Mr. Thomas MeCready was in the cabin he heard two splashes, and on looking out he saw his brother swimming towards the hoy Blair- His brother called out to him to lift the anchor and he did so, and tried also to start the engine, but was unsuccessful. When he looked out again his brother and the boy had disa-ppeared. Mr. MeCready attracted the attention of a passing launch, and he was taken ashore after having anchored the Irie again.

The accident was apparently observed by the watchman on the Talune, lying at anchor nearby, for an urgent signal, "Police wanted," "was hoisted by him. The sisnal was noticed by the Harbour Board's officials on the Queen's wharf, and the waterfront police were informed. A launch wm dispatched to the scene of the fatality, and, in company with Mr. MeCready, a thorough but unsuccessful search was made. A search of the bays and inlets nearby was also made this morning, but -without result. Mr. Robert MeCready was a returned soldier, and about a week ago had brought the launch from Helensville. He resided with his brother and sister-in law at 143, Grey Street.