LIVES LOST BY DROWNING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20473, 27 January 1930, Page 10

LIVES LOST BY DROWNING

FISHING BOAT FOUNDERS,

ONE OCCUPANT PERISHES,

SWIMMERS RESCUE COMPANION.

ORDEAL IN CHOPPY SEA.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] NEW PLYMOUTH. Sunday.

A civil servant, Mr. Leonard Lichfield Smith, was drowned, and Mr. Fred Fox had a lucky escape from death when a flat-bottomed fishing boat capsized a mile off Terrace yesterday. Mr. Smith was a son of the late Mr. E. M. Smith, M.P., and a brother of Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., chairman of committees of the House of Re-

presentatives. • It was not discovered that the boat was leaking until the fishing ground -was reached. The men commenced to bale the water out and the boat drifted broad-> side on to the rollers and suddenly capsized. Mr. Fox assisted Mr. Smith to remove his gumboots while they were clinging to the boat, and both men removed their clothing. Mr. Smith decided to attempt to swim ashore while he was still fresh, as he did not think the boat would float for long. Ho struck out for the shore, but Mr. Fox did not follow him for some time. . •

The water on the reef was choppy and 'the swimmers were soon in difficulties. Mr. Fox then lost sight pf his companion. » ~ .

In the meantime the alarm had been given and the East End life-Saving team, which had been practising, ran for a quarter of a mile along the rocky beach with the reel. Thoy found, however, that, the rocks prevented the use of the lifeline.

Two members Of the team swam out about 300 yards and rescued Mr. Fox, who was exhausted. Mr. Smith's body was' recovered an hour and a-half later by the Harbour Bpard launch*

AUCKLAND LAD'S FATE.

BATHING AT OASTLE CLIFF,;

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS 'ASSOCIATION.] WAIfGrANUI, Sunday. A visitor from Auckland, Maxwell •

Kerr Carrick, aged 18, whose parents reside at Ngaroma Road, One Tree was drowned while bathing on Castle* cliff Beach at noon yesterday. He had only been at Wanganui for a few hours.; His body has not been recovered.

HUTT RIVER FATALITY.

.YOUTH MEETS HIS DEATH,

[BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLDfGTON. Sunday. While bathing with half-a-dozen other! young men in the Hutt River to-day,; 1 about half way between Melling Bridge and the' ; old bridge at Lower "Huttj\ Robert Arthur IWoodham, aged 19, was drowned. The young man was a resident of Hutt Road'and was a plumber' 9 apprentice.-

It is supposed thai he struck his head either on this river bed or on a submerged object, which-rendered him unconscious. He Was taken from the,, water quickly and attended by a doctor, but all attempts at resuscitation'" failed. •