FISHING TRAGEDY

Evening Star, Issue 20317, 28 October 1929, Page 8

FISHING TRAGEDY

TWO BOYS DROWNED LEAKY PUNT CAPSIZES [From Ooi? Corresponded.] BALCLUTHA, October 27. One of the saddest tragedies that has occurred here for some years happened about 4.30 yesterday afternoon, when two boys, both about the ago of twelve years, lost their lives by drowning. They were:--DOUGLAS HAYWARD, second son of Mr and Mrs Alt’. Hayward, Balclutha North. , ARTHUR ALGIE, second son of Mr and Mrs D. G, Algie, Balclutha. From what can bo gathered it appears that the hoys, in company with two other older boys (Stephen Algie and Archie Hanley), went on a fishing expedition to the lagoon opposite tho Hermitage, about a mile and a-half from Balclutha, on tho road to Stirling. The lagoon has always been a favourite hunting ground for perch fishermen, and tlm toys were making an afternoon of it. Well on in the day they discovered an old flat-bot-tomed boat, and two of them boarded and fished from it. The boat was leaking badly, but tbo boys got over the difficulty by bailing it out, or returning to shore and emptying it. Later the four boys got aboard and went to tbo middle of the lagoon to try their luck. The extra weight proved too much for the leaky structure, which had only Bin sides, and it commenced to fill rapidly. The boys all went to one side, with the result that the boat capsized, and tbo occupants were thrown into the water, which is estimated to bo between 10ft and 12ft in depth. Hanley and the younger Algie managed to scramble on to the upturned boat, but Stephen Algie and Hayward were left struggling. Stephen Algie secured hold of Hanley, and after a struggle managed to get him shorewards, where by this time a young man, Adam Stewart, of Benbar, who bad been fishing m the vicinity and had beard the cries of the boys, had arrived. He managed to got Algie and Hanley ashore, both being fair!}' well exhausted

By this time Arthur Algie and Hayward had disappeared The alarm was quickly given, and very soon there were several people at the scene of the tragedy. Efforts to secure the other boys were soon in full swing, and in about three-quarters of an hour the body of Douglas Hayward was recovered. Artificial respiration was started by Mr Honi Anderson and others, and later the two Balclutha doctors arrived and added their efforts. At one time they had hopes of success, as the boy showed signs of life. They were disappointed, however, and all efforts proved futile. Meantime others had been endeavouring to locate the body of Algie, but it was two hours or more before they were successful, and, although efforts were made to restore life, they were unsuccessful. flic tragedy cast a great gloom over the town. The parents of both boys are well and favourably known, and their grief is shared by a largo circle. Both boys were pupils of the fifth standard at the Balclutha Primary School, and wore bright boys, both at school and on the field of school sport. Doug. Hayward was also a, member of the Boys’ Band, and Juvenile A.O.F. Lodge. An inquest is to be held before Mr H. J. Dixon, coroner, to-morrow morning, and the funeral will take place on Tuesday of Arthur Algie, while Douglas IJ ay ward will be buried tomorrow.