SEARCH FOR FRIEND

Northern Advocate, 7 February 1936, Page 2

SEARCH FOR FRIEND

Greatly distressed on learning that the late Mr W. Botterill had been swept away in the flood, Mr C. Stammers, who was a personal friend, accompanied a search party early on Sunday morning. Finding no trace of the missing man along the river bank, Mr Stammers entered the water and swam down the stream. He was soon lost to view, and as the current was very strong and deep water extended in all directions, alarm was felt for his safety. Those who remained on the bank had a boat brought from Kaitaia on a lorry and spent hours searching the Tangonge Lake for the young man Stammers, who turned up safely in the evening. On leaving his companions he followed the river for a time and then partly swam and partly walked across the swamp, till he eventually arrived at Price’s farm on Bonnett’s Road. From there he continued on to Mr Crene’s farm on the corner of Wireless and Awanui Roads, News that he was safe was received with great relief, as it was realised that Mr Stammers had engaged in a very perilous undertaking. He covered several miles before he emerged from the water.