MISSING SINCE MONDAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 292, 10 December 1925, Page 6

MISSING SINCE MONDAY.

AT SEA IN A GALE. OAR LOST OVERBOAKD." (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) | WAIHI, this day. David Leach, aged 84 years, an old resident of Waihi, and a lad, Charles Lawson, aged 14, were reported missing on Monday from Homanga Bay, a few miles down the coast from Waihi Beach, having been blown out to sea in a small rowing boat. A westerly wind off the land was blowing when they left on' Monday forenoon for the fishing grounds, a-(juar-ter of a mile out. A strong wind suddenly sprang up, and, in an attempt to" row back, an oar was lost overboard. The frail craft, then at the mercy of the wind and waves, was blown out to sea. The wind increased to a gale during the early morning of the second day, and the boat was miles from land at nightfall. The heroic efforts of the lad, with * single paddle, averted the craft being dashed on the rocks at the north-west end of Mayor Island. On the following afternoon (WedneiS* day) they were picked up bj Mr. G. Tonge'e launch (Mr. Leach's two bom accompanying the rescue party) between Mayor Island and the Aldermans. The boy Lawson was feebly paddling, and the old man was huddled in the bow of the boat in a semi-conscious condition. The launch landed the rescued couple at Waihi Beach. They had been adrift three dap and two nights, and were without food or water.