heroic schoolmaster;

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1620, 11 December 1912, Page 6

HEROIC SCHOOLMASTER.

DISTRESSING TRIPLE TRAGEDY.. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Wanganui, December 10. A distressing drowning accident occurred at Pipiriki about 5 o'clock on Monday afternoon. Gerald Thomas, master of the public school, at Pipiriki; was swimming in the river along with his son Raymond and Arthur Clemence, son of the master of the Native School. Raymond Thomas got into difficulties, and Clemence went to his assistance: Mr. Thomas, seeing both boys in danger, went to their assistance, but, as he had to swim from the middle of the river, he was exhausted, and was dragged'under by the boys. : '.'.„. , The whole affair occurred within a few minutes, and the spectators could do noA search party found the body of Clemence on Monday night, and the bodies of Mr. Thomas and the son this morning. A verdict of. accidental death was returned at the inquest.. ,',■■,.:_ . The bodies are being brought to Wanganui by the river steamer., Mr. Thomas was a highly-respected schoolmaster. He was originally a teacher, but Tcsiffned to take up fanning in the Colyton /district. A year ago, however, he sold out, and t went to Pipiriki to re-commence teaching.