MAN RUSHES INTO SEA TO DROWN HIMSELF

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7296, 5 August 1930, Page 7

MAN RUSHES INTO SEA TO DROWN HIMSELF

Given up for Dead BUT BREAKERS TOSS HIM’BACK ON SHORE Per Press Association. BLENHEIM, Aug. 4. William Henry Francis Parrish, an elderly man and a retired railway servant, committed suicide in White’s bay, near Blenheim, yesterday, under peculiar circumstances. He appeared very depressed and a friend named Mrs V. Chapman took him for a drive to the bay. On the return journey Parrish stated he felt unwell and asked Mrs Chapman to stop tho car. Ho got out and said ho would do away with himself and started off towards tho sea about half a mile away. Mrs Chapman ran after him, hung on to him and endeavoured to dissuade him from his purpose. Ho threw her off and rushed for tho breakers and disappeared. The body has not yet been Recovered. LATER. There was an extraordinary sequel to yesterday’s drowning tragedy at 10 o’clock this morning when tho supposedly drowned man rang up the police sergeant Petersen from Tuamarina. He is now in the lock-up little the worse for his experience except for bad bruises and a few minor cuts. Apparently after he had been in the water for half-an-hour or so a huge wave washed him up on the beach which was then in darkness. H<o wandered about for some time and after begging for food at a house where nothing was known of the supposed tragedy he resumed his wanderings until he reached Tuamarina as stated.