FATALITIES.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 23, 28 January 1911, Page 3

FATALITIES.

[BY TELEGRAPH — PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WANGANUI, 27th January. A drowning fatality happened in the Wanganui River this afternoon, when Jack O'Neil, a schoolboy, aged fifteen, lost his life. The boy could swim a few strokes, but the river banks run down abruptly, and he was soon out of his depth. His mates went to effect a rescue, but were afraid of being dragged down, and therefore sought the aid of some Maoris. The body was recovered half an hour later by the aid of a fishing net. GISBORNE, 27th January. The body of a middle-aged man was washed up on the beach to-day in an advanced stage of decomposition. It is believed to be the body of Robert Hastie, who has been missing since 28th December. KILLED BY A FALL OF EARTH. A WIFE'S COURAGE AND FORTITUDE. Mr. Herbert Heberley, aged 32 yeass<, a son of the Hate Mr. Joseph Heberley, (at one time harbourmaster at Nelson), met hia death on "Wednesday last at aspot about three miles beyond the Rest House at Waimangu while cutting a track, from Rotomahana to Waimangu, for the Tourist Department. He left his home at 4 a.m. on the day of his death, and when he did not Tetura ins. the evening his wife set out to search for him. The country ie very rough, and travelling difficult. Therefore, Mrs! Heberley had a. most trying task, but-, her anxiety kept her going all night. At length she found the body of her husband buried to the hip© in an earth fall, and at once went for assistance,, covering a- distance of three miles at full speed. These facts -were elicited at an inquest regarding Heberley's death. The verdict was: "That deceased' met his death by an, accidental fall of earth whilst performing his duty."