DROWNING ACCIDENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20239, 26 April 1929, Page 12

DROWNING ACCIDENTS.

BOY LOSES HIS LIFE.

SWAMPING OF A CANOE.

COMPANION REACHES SHORE. MISHAP ON LAKE PUPUKE. A boy, Geoffrey Shaw, 13 years of age, son of Mr. ,H. H. Shaw, of Kowliai Street, Takapuna, lost his lifo on Lake Pupuko on Wednesday afternoon. With another lad, Percy White, aged 16, he ventured on the lake at about 3.30 p.m. in a canvas canoe. Tho little craft was launched from tho end of Kowhai Street, on tho south-west shoro. They intended to cross to tho opposite side. An easterly wind was blowing at tho time, raising troublesome waves, and it stiffened as the lads paddled across. The greater part of tho journey had been accomplished, and they were off Goldie s Point, within about 100 yds. of tho further side, when tho canoo was swamped. The lads were able to swim, and kept together for mutual aid, but after being in tho water for some time Shaw sank. Tho fresh water of the lake is very cold, and it is supposed that ho was seized with cramp. Young White, when his comrade disappeared, made his way to tho shore and ran round to the Dcvonport pumping station. A boat of larger size set out to make a search, but such was the sea running that oven it had difficulty in making headway, and nothing was to bo seen of tho missing lad.

From daylight to dark yesterday Constablo Maloney and volunteer workers •were out in a rowing boat and a powerboat, dragging in tho neighbourhood o! the accident, but without result. Tho search will bo continued to-day. The canoo floated ashore, undamaged.

Mr. Shaw, who is a motor mechanic by occupation, is at present in the Auckland Hospital suffering from pneumonia.

TRAGIC FATE OP CHILD. DROWNED IN A CISTERN. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. 1 ROTORUA, "Wednesday. A little boy, John Curham, aged three years, son of Mr. R. C. Curham, farmer, of Rotorua, was drowned in a cistern in the backyard of his parents' homo yesterday afternoon. He was seen running about 20 minutes before he was missed. Search was made and eventually the body was found in the cistern. Medical aid was called, but all efforts to revive him were unavailing.