DROWNING ACCIDENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19929, 24 April 1928, Page 12

DROWNING ACCIDENT.

SPORTSMAN LOSES LIFE. FALL FROM A LAUNCH. NO TRACE OF THE VICTIM. [BVT TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION. ] GISBOBNE, Monday. A singlo man, Harry Tapper, aged 25 years., a son of Mr. Robert Tapper, farmer, of Tapui, Waikaremoana, met his death by drowning in the lake last evening undar most distressing circumstances. Tho deceased had proceeded on a deer-stalking trip to Waikaremoana, his companions being Messrs. L. Albrecht, of Wairoa, Maurice Field, of Havelock North, and Reginald Stock, of Wairoa. Tho party used Mr. Tapper's launch in crossing the lake. After a good day's sport they commenced tho return to their camping place at 8 p.m., tho night being very dark and the lake quite calm. Near Hinekura Point, and just before tho launch entered the Strait of Manaia Mr. Tapper left his friends in tho well of the launch and climbed forward to thp foredeck to replenish the benzine in tho tank.

It was while draining a petrol container into the tank that tho deceased lost his balance ;ind fell overboard. He sank immediately,, being hampered by heavy shooting boots and by pockets full of cartridges. A powerful spotlight was turned on the sceno of the accident from tho launch, and the dinghy was cut adrift and quickly rowed to th(3 point where Mr. Tapper had disappeared. No trace was found, however, beyond Mr, Tapper's floating hat and the petrol can, which might have proved of assistance to tho unfortunate man had he been able to retain it in his

grasp. The search was continued for an hour and a-half before the launch was reluctantly turned for home and a report made of the fatality.

The deceased was a well-known and popular young man, and a good sportsman. He had been engaged in the carrying business between Wairoa and Waikaremoana.

The search for the body was continued to-day by Sergeant Wade, with Mr. Albrecht and Mr. J. Tapper, a brother of the deceased.