BEACH TRAGEDY

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 11453, 2 March 1931, Page 5

BEACH TRAGEDY

YOUNG MAN’S DEATH NEAR WAIKANAE PAVILION

BODY FOUND FLOATING IN SEA

HEART FAILURE BELIEVED CAUSE

CLOTHING CANNOT BE FOUND

Waikanae beach was the scene of a tragedy on Saturday morning, when a young man named John Marshall, 29 years.of age, was found dead floating in .thet' hreak^ra.... \ ; ." * } Mr Marshall, who was employed as mght pprter at .tho Morere Hotels was spending a brief holiday wit 6 his uncle and aunt,'Mr and Mrs J. M Marshall, of Roebuck road, the Uncle being a well-known taxi proprietor on the Feel street stand. About 10.30 a.m. Mr John Marshall announced his-intention of going for a bathe on "Waikanae beach, and left home on his bicycle. He apparently undressed on the beach, or nearby, and entered th e water. After that, nothing is definitely known, as to what transpired. Shortly, before 11 a.m. a High School student, Victor Charles Ivess, who had been bathing, was walking along the beach. He noticed about seventy or eighty yards out, a man floating face downward in the water and gradually drifting towards the diversion cut. H 0 watched for a few' seconds, but saw no movement and, surmising that something was w'rong, rushed to. the caretaker, and asked, him to telephone to the police. He then ran back, plunged into the water, and when about*chin high, reached Mr Marshall and brought him in. ,

As it so happens, Victor Ivess had learned artificial respiration. He set to work at once, and in a very short rime was joined by Mrs Syrett, of Whatatutu, "who is a trained nurse, and she aided Victor Ivess in the resuscitation work. Both labored strenuously and after a little time were joined by Constable Brown and Mr Drummond, a taxi-driver, and Dr. Gunn. For nearly an hour and .a-half resuscitation work was continued, but finally Dr. Gunn stated that further efforts were useless. The deceased is stated to have been a fair swimmer. The cause of death is believed to be heart failure. An unusual circumstance about the tragedy' is that despite the closest search was made by a party headed cannot be found. After the tragedy his bicycle was discovered, on the beach near the pavilion. When he left his uncle's residence, Mr Marshall, states, he was, dressed in grey flannel trousers and a brown tweed Norfolk but wore no hat. His footwear comprised a pair of new shoes. >He had with him a watch and chain. After the tragedy, a close search was made by a party he.aded by Constable Brady, but not the slightest tree of the clothes could be found. It is possible that he may have undressed and donned his swimming costume in the house of some friend neaij the beach, but up to last evening nothing had been heard to that effect.

Mr Marshall arrived irf New Zealand about four and a-half years go from Glasgow, both his parents being dead. For some.time he had been employed as night porter at the Morere Hotel and was exceedingly popular with the travelling public, being of a very,’obliging and cheerful disposition. After the experiences of tho earthquake, he decided to take a brief holiday with his uncle and aunt in' Gisborne, and it was during this holiday that the tragedy occurred. The deceased leaves two brothers, one Mr David Marshall, working on Mr Spence’s station, Whatatutu, and tho other, a younger brother, .Robert Marshall, residing with his uncle at Roebuck road. He also leaves one sister, Mrs White, of Manurewa, Auckland. To all the relatives will be extended sincere sympathy at the loss of such a popular member of the family under such tragic circumstances. An inquest will be held at 11 a.m. to-day.,. ::" ~.. V_