Believed Browned After Saving Child

Northern Advocate, 12 January 1948, Page 2

Believed Browned After Saving Child

WELLINGTON, Mon. (P.A.K—The second assistant secretary to the Treasury (Dr Athol Rea-y Ferguson Mackay) is believed to have been drowned after rescuing his 11-year-old daughter when she got into difficulties while bathing at Raumati South yesterday afternoon. Dr Mackay’s daughter Valerie, and Clare Childs, aged about 12, of Raumati, had been bathing at about 5.30 when Clare Childs reported that Valerie Mackay was in difficulties. Dr Mackay immediately went out. followed by a Mrs Holland. He was bringing his daughter in when she was taken frem him by a stranger, thought to be a member of the Manly Life-Saving Club, Sydney, who applied successful resuscitative measures. AIRCRAFT USED Mrs Holland was returning to the beach when she noticed that Dr Mackay was missing. The alarm was immediately given and within a few' minutes members of the Paekakariki Life-Saving Club had a reel and line on the spot. A full muster of club members took part in the search for Dr Mackay. There was a fair surf running at the time and the efforts of the life-saving team were unsuccessful. Two aircraft from the Wellington Aero Club left Rongotai at about 6.40 to join in the search but their pilots had seen nothing of the missing man when they returned shortly after 8 o’clock. Dr Mackay, whose home was at Homewood Avenue. Karori, was on holiday at the beach.

Born at Paeroa 50 years ago, Dr Mac Kay gained his degree of Master of Commerce at Victoria University and his doctorate of philosophy with honours at London University. He was appointed to the Public Trust Office in 1915 and accountant to the Mines Department in 1923. Before being appointed to his post in the Treasury he was finance officer at the High Commissioner's Office, London. He is survived by his wife, a daughter and a son.