LOST FROM LAUNCH

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24828, 26 February 1944, Page 6

LOST FROM LAUNCH

BELIEVED DROWNED

accident at midnight Lost overboard from a launch with a barge in tow on the way from Auckland to Great Barrier Island about midnight on Thursday, a Works Department employee is believed to have been drowned. He was

Mr. Alfred Henry Cann, a widower, aged about 50, of 45 St. Mary s Road, Ponsonby.

With two other men, Mr. Cann left Auckland in the launch Alert, which had the barge Waitemata in tow alongside, for Great Barrier Island at 10 o'clock on Thursday night. When the launch was between Motuihi and Brown's Island Mr. Cann left the wheelhouse and walked to the barge, presumably matching for one of the islands.

A man in the wheelhouse of the launch saw him standing by the rail and later thought he heard a call. When he again ldioked at the place where Mr. Cann had been standing he saw no sign of him. He immediately reported the matter and the launch was turned round. A search was conducted from the launch for about 40 minutes, and finally the spot where Mr. Cann was first missed was marked with a lifejacket &t> tached to a line and anchor. The launch then returned to Auckland. In spite of an extensive search eonducted all day yesterday, from the police launch, an aeroplane, a Royal New Zealand Air Force patrol launch and other boats, no trace of Mr. Cann found. A BOY LOSES HIS LIFE BOAT SINKS IN A HiV'KK CO.C.) PUKEKOHE, Friday \ drowning accident occurred in the Waikato River near Tuakau last night. The victim was:

Donnie Tubimata, aged 54, son of Mr and Mrs. Rangi Tuhimata, of Tuakau.

The boy was seen _by some other children to leave in a small flatbottomed boat from the metal dump on River Road to paddle across to ail island in the river about 100 yds. away. When about half-way across, the boat was seen to be in a sinking condition. It was recovered later two miles downstream. Although dragging operations were carried on all day to-day, the body had not been recovered at a late hour to-night.

YOUNG MAN KILLED CAR LEAVES THE ROAD DEFECTIVE BRAKE SYSTEM (0.C.) TAUMAEUNUI. Friday A young man was killed instantly when a motor-car left the road and went over a bank, on the Ohura-Tatu highway 011 Wednesday. The victim was Thomas Raymond Hatchard, aged 31, married, with three children. The accident happened about a mile from Ohura. The car was driven by Mr. A. E. McMillan, manager of the Tatu State coal mine, and Mr. Hatchard, who was a clerk employed at the mine, was travelling as a passenger. On the way to Tatu a motortruck was seen approaching about a chain away. The driver of the car applied the brake, but the car pulled to one side and rolled down _ the bank, turning over several times in a descent of about two chains. Mr. McMillan was thrown clear, but deceased was crushed by the car and killed instantly.

An inquest was held at Ohura before the district coroner, Mr. W. Thomas, yesterday, when a verdict was returned of accidental death due to a defective brake system in the car.

DEATH IN ACTION WINNER OF MILITARY MEDAL Reported killed in action. Sergeant B. A. W. Worthington, M.M.. was the son of Mrs. F, M. Worthington, of 870 Manukau Road, Onehunga. Sergeant "Worthington was awarded the Military Medal last year for his actions as a corporal during the Takrouna attack in Tunisia.

Although suffering from a head wound, he acted as a stretcher-bearer throughout the night of the attack. Next morning he rejoined his platoon, which was sent to reinforce the party holding Takrouna village, and in an exposed position he successfully engaged several enemy snipers. Later he led an attack which routed the enemy from the lower village. At the time of his death Sergeant Worthington was serving in Italy. Educated at the Pukekohe High School and Soddon Memorial Technical College, he left New Zealand in September, 11341.

EVADED SALES TAX WINE-MAKER PROSECUTED Three charges under the Sales Tax Act. were admitted by Steve Vitasovich, a wine-maker, of Henderson (Mr. Haigh), before Mr. W. C. Harley, S. M., yesterday. He was charged with soiling wine, a taxable commodity, while not licensed as a wholesaler; with making an erroneous return under the Sales 'Fax Act; and failing to include in the return of taxable goods sold in the month to February 15, 1913, goods with a sale value of £679 4s. Mr. Cleal said defendant had evaded paying sales taxes of £125 and £136. ithad all since been paid and defendant had been influenced by some outside person.

Mr. Haigh said defendant had a slight knowledge of English. A wine-buyer operating in the Henderson district in endeavouring to persuade defendant to sell his wine to him had stated that his principals would pay half the sales tax and make arrangements with the Customs Department about the other half.

Defendant was fined the minimum of £25 on each charge.

UNIFORM OR MUFTI (6.R.) WELLINGTON, Friday

An inquiry whether it was customary for the Minister of Rehabilitation, the Hon. 0. F. Skinner, and the Director of Rehabilitation to wear military uniform when interviewing returned men was made by Mr. W. S. Goosman (Opposition—Waikato) in notice of a question to the Minister in the House of Representatives. _He asked if this were so would it not be better for the feelings of the men if the Minister and director were to meet them on common ground by -wearing civilian clothing. W