HARBOUR TRAGEDY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21404, 31 January 1933, Page 8

HARBOUR TRAGEDY

CAPSIZE OF BOAT

ONE OCCUPANT DROWNED YOUNG AUCKLAND SOLICITOR TWO COMPANIONS SAVED A well-known Auckland solicitor, Mr. John Edwin Russell, aged about 34, the only son of Mr. E. 11. N. Russell, of Auckland, was drowned, and two companions had a narrow escape from drowning yesterday, when a boat in which they were sailing on the harbour capsized. Mr. Russell was married and had two children. Tho nccidont occurred off Eastern Cliff, at the northern end of Eastern Beach, which is just beyond Buckland's Beach. Tho boat was about a-quarter of a mile from the shore. Mr. Russell, with his wife and family, was visiting his father-in-law, Mr. Robert Burns, at Hawick. With two companions, Mr. Trevor Kissling, of St. Stephen's Avenue, and Mr. L. Packenham, he went out in a 14ft. sailing craft, the accident occurring between 2.30 and 3 p.m., after they had been out about two hours. Clinging to Boat North-easterly weather was experienced on the harbour yesterday, sweeping into the locality of the accident and making the water rough. The boat was overturned and the occupants were thrown into the water. They clung to the craft, but it sank within a few minutes. Mr. Russell could swim, but the opinion was expressed that he might have been hurt when the boat overturned, or else become caught in the sail. Two young men on the beach, Mr. Alfred Stirrup, of 218 Hobson Street, and Mr. Eric Nelson, of 56 Cook Street, saw Mr. Kissling swimming to the shore, which he had almost reached, when they plunged into the water with their clothes on and brought him to safety. He was practically overcome with exhaustion. Mr. Packcnham was picked up. by a sailing craft and taken to Howick.

Famous Airman's Offer Constable J. Kennedy, of Fanmure, was summoned and with helpers searched the beach until dark for Mr. Russell's body, but without success. Mr. James Wallen. a fisherman, of Howick, also searched the locality in a launch. The search will be continued this morning, when the party will be reinforced by two launches and a fishing boat from Auckland. Sir Charles Kingsford Smith has offered to assist by flying over the spot. Mr. Russell, who was born in Auckland, was a very popular young man and had a large circle of friends. He was educated privately and, at the beginning of 1918, sailed on the Balmoral Castle for England in order to join the Royal Air Force. He had qualified as a pilot at the Christchurch flying school and left for England with a number of other New Zealand pilots who sought commissions in the Air Force. Called to English Ear After a course of military flying he was granted a commission as second lieutenant in the Air Force and continued his training in England, but the Armistice was signed before he was able to see service in France. He went up to Trinity College, Cambridge, and took his B.A. and LL.B. degrees, being called to the English Bar in 1922. He returned to Auckland and joined the legal firm of Russell, McVeagh, Macky and Barrowclough, of which his father is the senior partner.

About four years ago lie was married in Auckland to Miss Lovering Burns, a daughter of Robert Burns. He is survived by Mrg. Russell and two children.