UNLUCKY WEBSTER.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 36, 12 February 1929, Page 10

UNLUCKY WEBSTER.

ORDERED INTO HOSPITAL.

OPERATION FOR APPENDICITIS

COOK STRAIT SWIM OFF

(P.y Telegraph—Special to "Star.")

WELLTXGTOX, this dav

H. T. \\\>l.-ter. the Auckland swimmer who collapsed during an attempt to ■nvim Wellington Harbour on Sunday, i« '«iip of tlio most unlucky younfj men in X«\v Zealand today. For weeks he has tiepii training hard with the object of ■igain attempt inn to swim Cook Strait, 'mt he in ijrlit have spared himself h<< labours, a< he will not lie able to e*.*av

his ambitious swim, at least .hiring this -oason. Webster to-day was ordered i.to the Wellington Hospital for r.n iperntion for appendicitis, which mean? that hi< swimming for this summer i? !ini«hed. Webster and liis trainer, in an interliew, expressed their thanks for the eception accorded them by the Wellinglon public, and for the facilities and insistence afforded on his arrival at Day's Bay after his swim acn.s-. the larbour, where a hot hath was in readiicss when Webster was taken ashore.

Valuable assistance in treating the unconscious swimmer in the pavilion was rendered by .Mr. W. Guise, a former member of the Maranui Surf and LifeSaving Club. Lyall Bay, and two members of the Maranui Club. Their knowledge of life-saving and first aid was of gieat assistance in bringing about his recovery.

With regard to the comment made on the apparent lack of interest and provision by the Wellington Swimming Centre in connection with Webster's attempt to swim the harbour, Mr. P Coira, chairman of the centre, said the centre would have assisted, but they were not approached. Webster made the attempt on his own initiative, and not under the auspices of the Wellington Centre.