BODY RECOVERED AT SUMNER

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22182, 27 August 1937, Page 12

BODY RECOVERED AT SUMNER

HAZARDOUS DESCENT OVER CLIFF

A hazardous descent by two climbers, Messrs S. Anderson and W. H. Beanland, assisted by a party of police, resulted in the recovery on Wednesday afternoon of the body Of Anna Elizabeth Nicholas, a married woman, of Fetrie street. HiehrfiOfaa, WHO was reported missing bti Saturday. The body, which was lying on the rocks on the Sumner side of Whitewash Head, was discovered on Sunday after a purse aha coat belonging tO Mrs Nicholas had been found near the top' of the cliffs. The' heavy sfeas made it impossible to recover the body earlier, although several unsuccessful attempts were made. By IheaHs of a Winch at the top of the cliff, Mr AridOrSOfi was lowered 280 feet to where the body lay on the rocks below. A system of signals was used by Mr Anderson so that the men controlling the winch Could follow His instructions. The cliff curved sharply iriwafds, however, arid. it was necessary to station Mr, Beanland on a ledge a snort distance from the too to pass oh these signals to the rheh above: The task of recovering the body took alhio.st tWO hours to complete. At the ihquest for identification, which Opened, yesterday afternoon at the Christchurch Hospital, before, the Coronet, Mr fc. C. Levvey, Mf J. A. VSitCh, a cOUsih of the dead W'dman, expressed gratitude for the work .dohe by Mr Anderson arid all other helpers. The case was conducted by ActihgSCrgeant T: Matthews, and Was' .adjourned after evidence of identification wds