BOATING FATALITY AT SUMNER.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXX, Issue 51, 29 February 1896, Page 2

BOATING FATALITY AT SUMNER.

Iwo People Supposed io be Drowned

Excitement at Christchurch

[■United Press Assooiation.l

CimisTfjiiußCH, This Day. Thoro was considerable excitement ia town this iporning when it was reported that Mr W. F. Warner of the Commercial Hotel, Mr Murray of the New Brighton Hotel, and Mr Stewart had been drowned m the estuary during the night. All manner of rumours wero afloat, and later on it was reported that the men had been rescued, but unhappily this proved to be: incorrect.

From the particulars to hand it is gathered that the three men named, together with Mr Hawker junior, had proceeded to Swmner for the purpose of bringing back the Waitangi. in which they went to Sumner on the Thursday, but the wind being gusty, they delayed to start until 11 o'clock, when it had somewhat abated. Wheu nearing the entrance totheiiver a sudden squall s'ruek and capsized the boat. The occupants managed to get on the bottom, and after drifting about for some time it was seen that Warner was getting exhausted, and Hawker volunteered to swim ashore - the other two men deciding to stop witb Warner.

Hawker managed to get ashore abont one o'clock this morning, and on obtaining assistance returned to the scene of the capsize, but nothing could be seen of the boat or the men. A diligent sea.eh bes been kept up ever since, bnt so far the men have not been discovered, and there ib httle doubt that they have been drowned.