BROWNING FATALITIES

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11409, 4 January 1923, Page 6

BROWNING FATALITIES

THAMES BATHING ACCIDENT. BELIEVED TO BE DUE TO CRAMP. Further particulars in respect to the drown of Justly. William Reginald Hill, son of Mr <H. F. Hill, retired fanner at Parawai, Thames, show that Hill left his home on Saturday morning, and, as he did not return home, fears were entertained as to his safety, as he was in the habit of going to the Kauaeranga River to bathe. A search was instituted, and - ooninued during Saturday and Sunday. Finally, his clothes were found on the bank of the river opposite a deep hole. Search was made for the body by the police and others, and it was recovered from the bottom of the river by diving. The young man was able to swim, and it is believed that be must have been seized with cramp and that he was unable to reach the hank. A verdict of accidental drowning was returned. FALL FROM A WHARF BOY LOSES HIS LIFE. Through falling from the wharf into Foxton Harbour, a hoy named George Small, 15 years of age, was drowned on Monday evening. It appears that the boy was walking on, Hie edge ot the wharf and wheeling a bicycle, when he stumbled and fell into the water. A boy' named John Delaney bow Small fall, and gave the alarm. An attempt at rescue was made bv Clarence Herbert Walls, exchange clerk at the Foxton Post Office, who was on the wharf at the time. He at once dived into the water, but could not secure the drowning hoy,-, and when he rose to the surface, the deceased had disappeared. The body was recovered by the police two hours after the tragedy. The deceased was the son of Mr George Small, of Union street,' Foxton. He was a bright, intelligent lad and was employed, at a grocery store in the town. His mother, at : tne time of the accident, was on a holiday at Ayckland. ANOTHER SAD CABE VICTIM SHORTLY TO BE MARRIED Per Press Association. NEW PLYMOUTH, January 3. A young man named Murray, a resident of Dibiedin, was drowned in the Mokau river this morning. Deceased was spending holidays with Mr Charles Raven, settler, and a distressing feature is that Murray was shortly to he married to Miss Raven. With three or four others, Murray went bathing in the river, when he suddenly sank. The body has not been recovered.