MAN DROWNED

Hokitika Guardian, 20 July 1936, Page 6

MAN DROWNED

TRAGEDY AT HUKA FALLS SWEPT FROM ROCKY LEDGE (Per Press Association—Copyright). ROTORUA, July 20. Swept from a rocky" ledge while endeavouring to fill a kerosene tin with water, Arthur Hollgson, of Rotorua, married, with two,children, aged about twenty-eight, is believed te have lost his life after being carried oyer the famous Buka falls near Taupo. Although there were 110 eve-witnes-ses to the actual happening,' Hodgson is understood to have attempted to fill the tin from the Tast running waters about two hundred yards above the falls. He would be kneeling on a ledge a foot above the level pf the rapids, and it is thought that the force of the current caused him to lose his grip. He was employed on the contract for the erection of a new power house to supply electricity to the Wairaki Hotel. 'The foreman of work, Mr W. Cunningham, and another employee, T. ■Leonard, when crossing the bridge a moment after the tragedy, saw the unfortunate man struggling to reach the bank, but Iris valiant efforts were unsuccessful and he was swept over the main fall, the two men being powerless to assist. An extensive search immediately coni- | menced. The Taupo and Rotorua poij ice were assisted by a number of men, but although Hodgson’s hat and coat were found two miles below the falls, no trace of the body had been seen up to early this morning.