BATHING FATALITIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14004, 9 March 1909, Page 5

BATHING FATALITIES.

QUESTION OF LIFE-SAVING. [BY TELEGRAPH.-PRESS ASSOCIATION. J 1 Napier, Monday. A boy of eight years named Maurice Edward Hughes was drowned while bathing ha the surf near the southern end of the Marine Parade on Saturday afternoon. ere was a heavy sea running, and the boy was caught by the backwash. At the inquest Mr. S. E. McCarthy, S.M., recorded a verdict of "Accidentally drowned," adding the following riders : — "That tne Coroner desires to call the attention of the proper authorities to the uselessness of the buoys at present provided for life-saving purposes. In lieu of buoys there should be provided life-sav-ing belts, with at least 200 yds of suitable rope attached thereto."

, In connection with the Coroner's remarks condemning the lifebelts available on the beach,' it is pointed out that the lifebelts used are in accordance with the Board of Trade regulations, and 'that a line 200 yds long as suggested would be unmanageable in the surf. , . DISAPPEARED IN THE SURF. [BY TELEGRAPH.—-PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Dttnedin, Monday. A drowning accident occurred at Tomahawk on Saturday, the victim being Alexander Maxwell, aged 23 years, sdn of Mr. Henry Maxwell, registrar of electors. Deceased and his brother, aged 21 years, went for a bathe in the sea, and the former swam out in the surf and suddenly disappeared. Deceased was a good swimmer. The body ha* Hot yet been recovered. SAWMILL EMPLOYEE DROWNED. [BY telegraph.—press ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Monday. A man named George Burnett, employed at Rullitone's sawmills, near Gladstone, Wairarapa, was drowned while taking horses for a bath in a deep hole near the mill.