DEATH OF A BATHER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19504, 7 December 1926, Page 14

DEATH OF A BATHER.

BRAVE EFFORTS AT RESCUE. | LAXITY OF SOME BYSTANDERS. [BY T2LEG.RA I'll. -—OWN COEHESrOMDEfJT. J DUNEDIN. Monday.. , The mqueiit was concluded to-day ba* fore Mr. J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., into the death of Henry Stephen Baker, tlie well-known local cricketer and footballer, who lost his life while bathing at Smaill'9 Beach on November 7. The evidence revealed that deceased's companions! made magnificent efforts to rescue their friend, and several of them wore almost drowned in going out repeatedly into tho treacherous current. A young woman, Sheik Neibon, displayed great brawny and her efforts, along with those of her companions, were commended by the coroner. " They conducted themselves bra vely indeed, said Mr. Bartholomew, " and; carried on to the limits of exhaustion, I would like to commend in particular the activities of the young woman, who as* stated in tho operations with the water up to her shoulders. The only unpleasant feature was the fact that some of the , bystanders : did not give much assistance. It is not very pleasing to record this fact; " It is very regrettable that Although a girl was,seen to be standing ap to her shouldefs in water, holding a rope with three men at the other end , of it, nothing was done by some of tW bystanders," ■ A -verdict was returned to the effect thai deceased met his death by being accidentally drowned.