FOUR DROWNED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21119, 29 February 1932, Page 8

FOUR DROWNED.

TRAGIC WEEK-END.

FATHER AND DAUGHTER.

BOTH SWEPT OFF ROCKS.

THE FATE OF TWO YOUTHS.

YACHTING AND BATHING.

Four lives were lost by drowning at the week-end. A double fatality occurred at White's Bay, Anawhala, on the west coast, yesterday afternoon, when a man and his daughter were swept off the rocks while fishing. Two youths also were drowned, one off 1c Papapa Beach, Manukau Harbour, on Saturday afternoon, through the overturning of a home-built boat, and the other while swimming near the Okete Falls, on an arm of the Raglan Harbour. The victims were : Andrew Pearson, aged 48, blacksmith, of New Windsor Road, Avondale. Margar3t Rodgie Pearson, aged 2P, dressmaker, of New Windsor Road, A\ondale. Theso two were drowned together at White's Bay. Clarence Singleton, aged 19, of Maketu, near Te Puke, drowned off Te Papapa Beach. Jack Dunstan Carrington, aged 19. farm hand, of Okctc, drowned in Raglan Harbour. Mr. Pearson and his daughter who were the victims of the double fatality at Anawhata were fishing with a young man, Cecil James Wood, dairyman, of 96, Surrey Crescent, Grey Lynn, at a treacherous point on the rocks. All three were swept into the water by one of the big seas which break over the rocks at high tide when there is a heavy swell. Bruised and Dazed. Mr. Wood managed to regain the rocks, but while attempting to throw a fishing line to the girl in an effort to save her life lie was again burled into the sea. Once again he was able to reach the rocks. He was bruised and in a dazed condition. By this time both Mr. Pearson and his daughter had disappeared. The fatality was witnessed also by the girl s sister, Jane Crichton Pearson, aged 22, who was sitting on the rocks about 30ft. behind the fishing party. She was powerless to do anything to help them. The other members of the original party which had gone to the west coast in the morning for a day s outing in two motorcars were Mrs. Pearson, whose husband and daughter were drowned, Mrs. A. Wood, mother of the young man who had a fortunate escape, and Mr. Henry Brown. They were at the top of the. hill, about a inilo from the scene of the tragedy. Treacherous Locality. There was nobody else in the immediate vicinity of the accident, as it is not customary for people .acquainted with the treacherous nature o F . the locality to fish when the tide is high, as it was at the time.

A heavy swell made conditions dangerous for swimmers and there were not as many in the surf as there usually are at week-ends. One swimmer who visits the west coast regularly said the undertow was stronger than it had been for weeks previously.

The scene of the double fatality is only about four miles from the spot near the mouth of the Waitakere River where a farmer residing at 'laupaki, Mr. Walter Gates, was drowned in similar circumstances a fortnight before. He was fishing with two companions and was caught in a strong undertow.

The bodies of yesterday's victims have not been recovered. A search was carried out yesterday afternoon and evening, Constable G. Rushton, of Henderson, proceeding to Anawhata. It is expected the bodies will be washed ashore at a point further north on the beach, as was the case with the body of Mr. Gates. Boat Struck by Squall.

The youth Clarence Singleton, who was drowned in the Manukau Harbour, was sailing with a companion, Mr. Hiram Le Marquandj aged 22, of Captain Spring s Road, Onehunga, in a small home-made yacht. Mr. Lo Marquand, who is a strung swimmer, was saved.

The two young men left Onehunga early in the afternoon in tho yacht, a 10ft. vessel with a 12ft. mast. There was a strong tide running. Struck by a sudden gust of wind a-quartcr of a mile out from Te Papapa Beach shortly after 4 o'clock, the yacht capsized, the occupants being thrown into tho sea.

Mr. Le Marquand called to his companion to cling to the upturned boat while he obtained help. Mr. Singleton apparently did not hear and struck out for the shore, but he was unable to combat tho tide and disappeared. Tho accident was witnessed by Mr. Lou Bouzaid, of To Papapa, who was on the beach. Throwing off his coat ho immediately entered tho and went to the assistance of tho swimmer nearest tho shore, Mr. Le Marquand, who was by this time in distress. With Mr. Bouzaid's help Mr. Lo Marquand succeeded in gaining the beach. Both men were very exhausted after their experience. Yacht Washed Ashore. After the accident member/ of the Onehunga police, in charge of Sergeant Brown, conducted a search for the missing swimmer, but without success. The search was continued yesterday morning, the police launch travelling a distance of about 20 miles. The overturned yacht was subsequently washed ashore near the Onehunga Wharf, about two miles from tho spot whcro tho accident occurred.

Tho fatality in the Raglan Harbour occurred when the youth Jack Carrington was swimming with threo companions near Oketo Falls. Ilis sudden disappearance was noticed by the others, but they were unable to find any traco of him. His body had not been recovered last evening. Carrington had been employed by Mr. F. W. Peart, a farmer, of Okete, for the past, two years. A iister lives at Matamata.