NAPIER TRAGEDY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 16, 30 December 1932, Page 7

NAPIER TRAGEDY

ONE BODY STILL MISSING AID FOR RELATIVES BEINC ARRANGED. SYMPATHETIC TRIBUTES FROM MANY SOURCES. Sergeant Classen informed a reporter this morning that parties from the Bayview and Port Ahunri police, as well as helpers drawn from the ranks of waterside workers at the Port, were uut at daybreak this morning, searching tor the body of N. Low, which is still unlocated following the Napier Harbour collision. An intensive search, including dragging operations, was conducted throughout the morning but met with no success. * Most of the nine bodies found yesterday were in the cut dredged by the Apiti about two months ago. They were all found within a radius of 2UO yard*. The finding of Mr Low’s hqt, coat and cardigan suggest that immediately after the impact he divested himself of clothing which might hamper his movements and possibly he struck out for what he believed was the shore. Dragging operations have ceased since, in the opinion of the police, any further effort* towards recovery of the body through this agency would probably be fruitless. At each receding tide constables will patrol the beaches at We»tshore and Bayview, and trawler* are keeping a sharp look-out.

DOMINION-WIDE SYMPATHY. Menage* of condolence have been received by Mr H. L. Brown, secretary of the Napier Waterside Workers’ Union, from associated unions in other parts of the Dominion. The following telegrams are characteristic: — From New Plymouth: Kindly convey our sincere regrets to all grieving families in their sorrow. From the Auckland Union: Please convey this Union’s heartfelt sympathy to the relatives of members lost in the disaster. From Lyttelton: The Lyttelton Waterside Workers’ Union wish to express their heartfelt sympathy with the wive* and children of their comrades in the Napier disaster. Messages were received also from Mr H. E. Holland, M.P., Leader of the Opposition, from the Shaw Savill and Albion Co., and from Mr John Barr, meat inspector. Mr Holland said: “We have all learned with deepest regret of the Napier waterfront disaster. Please convey to the bereaved relatives and to the Napier Waterside Workers’ Union the sincere condolences of the Labour Party in Parliament, and of Mrs Holland and myself personally.’' This telegram was sent to Mr W. E. Barnard, M.P. At a meeting of Hawke’s Bay freezing workers held in Hastings yesterday, a motion of sympathy was passed with the relatives of the waterside workers who were victims of the drowning fatality, 200 members standing with bowed head* in silent tribute to their fellow affiliated unionists. FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS. Mr H. L. Brown, secretary of the Napier Watersiders’ Union, asks that all sympathisers intending to place wreath* on the graves of those drowned in the disaster leave them either at St. John’s Cathedral or at St. Patrick’s Church. The H.B. Motor Co. have offered facilities free of charge for members of the Waterside Worker*’ Union to attend the funeral to-morrow morning at 10 o’clock. AIDING THE BEREAVED. COMMITTEE SET UP. Already definite steps have been taken toward* succouring those unfortunate people who have become widowed or fatherless as the outcome of the Napier catastrophe. Hi* Worship the Mayor of Napier (Mr J. Vigor Brown) has set up the following provisional committee to deal with the immediate needs of the relatave*:— Three members of the Napier Wateraider*’ executive; Mis* King, pf the Bed Cross: two members of the Social Welfare Committee; the Rev. D. Halley, the Rev. D. R. Brierley, Mr W. E. Barnard, M.P., Mr T. M. Geddis, chairman of the Napier Harbour Board, and Adjutant Goffin, of the Salvation Army. Mr H. L. Brown, secretary of the Napier Waterside Workers’ Union, was informed this morning that a cheque for £6O had been given by an anonymous sympathiser towards the Napier Borough Council’* Fund for the relief of distress among the relatives of victims.