FATALITIES.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2279, 22 September 1899, Page 7

FATALITIES.

DROWNING OF A YOUNG COUPLE. When coming up the Wellington harbor on Tuesday night last, the steamer Te Kapu picked up a light skiff half full of water. It was at first thought that the boat had broken away from its moorings, but the discovery of a body afterwards placed the find in a serious light as it gave indications of a fatal boating accident having occurred. The body wa* that of a woman, apparently about 25 years f age, found on Ngahauranga beach, and subsequently identified as that of Mrs Allan Loxton, wife of an architect in the employ of Clere, Fitzgerald and Richmond. H. Huii'am, boatman, states that a youny couple hired a boat from him about C o'clock the night previous. He saw no more of them, but later on he went out searching for an hour without success. Mrs Loxton was a daughter of Chief Judge Davy, of the Native Land Court, and sister-iu-law of Mr B. M. Mollineaux, and Dr PrenderL'ast Knight. The police are searching the shores for the boiiy of her husband. Mr and Mrs Loxton were married in June last. The boat from which the Loxtons were drowned is a mere cocklesheil, having oniy 3ft Gin beam, and would be a dangerous craft in the hands of other than an experienced oarsman. From the statement of a person who siw the couple leave the skids it would appear us if Mr Loxton was not an experienced boatman, as he caught a " crab " just after setting off, and seemed to have very little command over the boat. FATAL RACING ACCIDENT. A shocking accident occurred in the Hunters' Hack Hurdle Race at Rangitikei on Wednesday afternoon. Taking the first hurdle, iu front of the stand, Stilts, ridden by Nelson M'R.te, a well-known gentl-mttn rider struck the hurdle and fell, coming down on his rider, whose neck was broken and skull smashed in. His jaw was also broken, and it is believed that the jagged edges severed the jugular vein. M'Rae'sfather, who was standing near, whs completely overcome. M'Rae had intended giving up riding and was to have been married next week. The horse's neck was broken.