SWEPT OFF ROCK

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 12077, 17 October 1933, Page 5

SWEPT OFF ROCK

MAN AND WOMAN DROWNED

TRAGEDY AT CAPE MARIA

(Press Association)

AUCKLAND, Oct. 16

Swept off a rock by. a huge wave, two people lost their lives at dusk on Saturday at Cape Maria. Van Dieman lighthouse'. They were Ml's. Minnie Elizabeth Nowson, wife of one of the assistant liglitkecpcrs, and Frederick Gage, second assistant keeper.

They were fishing from the locks with Mr. Nowson." High seas had been running for several days, and cross-currents in the narrow channel separating tho island on which tho lighthouse stands from tbg. mainland tended to make the waves vary greatly in size. Mr. Nowson eventually succeeded in recovering his wife’s body, hut though artificial respiration was continued for two hours, it was of n° avail. Settlers are searching for Mr. Ga go’s body. The coroner and police constable will go north to-day. and, if it is possible to reach the island, will conduct, an inquest. Others on the island are Mr. F. Young, the head keeper, and Mr. Nowson’s two young children. M''s. Nowson was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. 0. G. Ogden, of Tawa road, One hunga.

GOVERNMENT STEAMER LEAVES FOR SCENE.'

TWO TEMPORARY HELPERS

(Press Association)

WELLINGTON, Oct. 1

Tho Government steamer Matai left Wellington at 10.45 o'clock this morning for Gape Maria lighthouse, carrying two temporary keepers, and is expected to arrive at the cape at daybreak on Wednesday, and will bring back Mrs. Newson’s body a nd also that of Mr. Cage., if it is recovered.

The Marine Department advises that Mr. Cage loaves a widow and two young children but the Newsons had no family.