HIGH PRAISE BY CORONER

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 80, 28 December 1929, Page 9

HIGH PRAISE BY CORONER

ATTEMPT TO RESCUE DROWNING MAN

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, December 27.

The body of John Massey Gardiner, who was drowned last Saturday afternoon, was found floating in Manukau harbour last evening by Mr. J. Reece. At the inquest, Kenneth William Fraser said he was in company with Andrew Christie and Selwyn Lloyd at McKendriek’s Parade, Tepapapa, last Saturday afternoon when he noticed Gardiner fishing with a net across Austin’s Bay from a flat-bottomed boat. At about 4.30 p.m. witness heard Gardiner call out “Ken ! Ken!” four 'or five times. Witness then saw Gardiner in the water and his boat drifting up the harbour. Gardiner appeared to be entangled in his net, and the current, going out, was apparently holding him in it. Witness immediately stripped off his clothing and swnni out to assist him. Christie and Lloyd were also swimming out. When witness got close to Gardiner he could see plainly that deceased was entangled in the net, which had a belly in it. When witness was about 10 or 15 feet from Gardiner he became entangled in the net himself and got free with extreme difficulty. By that time Gardiner had disappeared, hut witness did not actually see him sink.

A verdiet that Gardiner was accidentally drowned while fishing was returned by the Coroner, who also commented on the bravery of the three men who went to Gardiner’s assistance. He complimented Fraser, Christie and Lloyd upon their splendid endeavour to save Gardiner at great risk to themselves. They were all equally brave, and he trusted their conduct would he brought under the notice of the Royal Humane Society and duly recognised by that body.