LAMENTABLE ACCIDENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8470, 22 January 1891, Page 5

LAMENTABLE ACCIDENT.

BOY DROWNED AT PONSONBY. A lamentablk boating accident took place last evening near Ponuonby wharf, by which a young lad named Hector Foster, son of Mr. Foster, of the Government Survey Office, residing in Argyle-street, lost his life. It appears that between five and six o'clock four lads, named Archie Dennes (14), W. Dennes (15), sons of Mr. W. C. Dennes, Queen-street, Hector Foster (11), and Harry Foster (13), took a dingy and left Dennes' Bay to board Mr. Dennes' yacht, lying in the bay about 100 or 200 yards distant, in order to fish from her. When 20 yards from the yacht the dingy shipped a wave over the stern and tilled. The lads called out to Mr. Connolly, on board the yacht to throw a line, but at the distance they failed to reach it, and as he could not swim they were left to do the best they could. The tide was running out, and swept them down toward? the Ponsonby Wharf. Mrs. Dennes was on the beach, saw the accident, and called out to and encouraged the lads to strike out for the wharf. There was no one on the wharf at the time but ladies and little children. The Rev. Wm. Gittos hearing the outcries of the women and children at his residence up the street, hurried to the beach and got a boat, but there were no oars or paddles. He went to Masefield's fence near hand to tear down a paling to paddle out to the drowning lads but on getting to the boat Hector Foster had sunk. As the tide swept the lads under the Ponsonby Wharf, Harry Foster and the two Dennes', who had been endeavouring to keep Hector Foster up, as he could swim but little, let go and caught hold of the stringers of the wharf, being exhausted. The unfortunate little fellow, Hector Foster, sank almost immediately alongside the wharf. The other boys clambered up on to the wharf, but Harry Foster was greatly exhausted, and he was taken home, and Dr. Knight telephoned for, and the police notified. In the meantime Messrs. Gittos, Masefield, and other neighbours, searched for the body of the drowned lad, but unsuccessfully. Constables Foreman, Finnerty, Ward, and Macky (Auckland Water Police) arrived on the scene, but they had no grappling irons with them. Constable Macky dived repeatedly without success, and cut his foot badly on a broken bottle. It was not till half-past eight at night that the body was recovered. Mr. Connolly, who was on board the yacht, got tip anchor after the accident, but he was unable to reach the lads, and being no swimmer could not render any assistance. We learn that Harry Foster is progressing favourably. The usual inquest will take place to day.