CAUGHT BY TIDE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23246, 16 January 1939, Page 8

CAUGHT BY TIDE

MOTOR-CAR WRECKED I NIGHT IN THE OPEN 1 FEW EFFECTS SAVED | THE NINETY MILE BEACH | [by telegrafh —OWN correspondent] ' KAITAIA, Sunday To see their motor-car, personal belongings and camping gear battered by the waves while they stood shivering above high water mark was the expertenee of Mr. and Mpk. H. A. Hannay, of Foxton, on the Ninety Mile Beach ' on Thursday. Mr. Hannay was travelling up the beach with the intention of camping at Scott Point, at the northern end, and, when rounding the bluff, he essayed the trip along the sand, instead of taking the road over the rocks. The tide was making at the time, but the water appeared to be well away from the foot of the rocks. However, the car was caught in a water hole and an incoming wave washed round the vehicle. x ' Seeing that it was not possible to save the car, Mr. and Mrs. Hannay tried to salvage their personal effects. They saved some, all in a wet condition, but a largo part was lost, and Mr. and Mrs. Hannay were wet through before the advancing tide drove them away from the car. Through the good offices of another motorist, advice of their plight was brought to Kaitaia, and Mr. J. T. B. Taaffe, with six men and salvage equipment, went up the beach after the tide had fallen. An attempt was made to free the car, which by this time, was embedded in the sand, but it wa» not successful, and the whole party had to spend the night on the beach. Fortunately, Mr. Taaffe had brought - food, but an uncomfortable night wan passod by Mr. and Mrs. Hannay ia their wet clothing. The car was extricated next day in a wrecked condition and brought to KaitAia. This is the fifth car to have been caught on the beach during the past fortnight. In only one other case, however, was serious damage done to the vehicle.