SAD DROWNING CASES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12248, 11 January 1902, Page 10

SAD DROWNING CASES.

» TWO BOYS DROWNED AT TOMAv HAWK. Yesterday morning the police received word of tlic death by drowning of two boys on the Tomahawk Boach. From inquiries which were at once set afoot it appears that two boys named Henderson went (o the beach about half-past 7 on Thursday night, and waded out to the island. It is surmised that they stayod there too long and, the lido rising in the meantime, they were drowned in attempting to get back to the mainland. The boys wore, cousins. One was the, son of Mr Thomas Henderson, farmer, Tomahawk, and the. other, Fcnwiek Henderson, aged 15 yeans, was tho eldest Eon of Mr Henderson, of Henderson and Gray, ■bootmakers, of Kattray street. The latter was spending a holiday with liie cousin. It is conjectured that the boys went to the island in search of gulls' egge. They aiiay have commenced their return about 8 o'clock, for it is reported that about that timo a boy on the ehore saw them wading back, midway between tho island and the shore. The younger lad (eon ot Mr Henderson, of Tomahawk), was carrying what was probably birds' eggs in his hands, and was making his way somewhat unsteadily in consequence. The lad on shore saw him disappear into the water. He appeared agaili at another place, and his arms showed above tho water. The shore lad rushed ink the soa up lo his waist to assist, but found tho current too strong, and had to go back. He saw no more of the boy, but he observed the other, Fcmyicl; Henderson, after makiiij a search for his companion, strike out foi the nearest rock. This ho reached, ant clambering on to it lie succeeded in making his way back to the island. It is probabli that tho current running between the islani and the mainland—at flood and ebb tide ii is said to lie a 20-knot current at timesewopl the unfortunate hoy oIF 'liis feet, am that, being unable to swim, he was rarrict out to tea. Fenwiek Henderson, on tin other hand, was u good swimmer. When the hoys did not n>l urn home- Mi Hcndenoa ami !iis family imincdiatelj made search for them, and knrucd the sac circumstance* from t'.K' tad wlio lmd sooi the occurrence from rho shore. Tiio familj remained on fan bcaen all through the night with a fire lmruiii',; to keep up the spirit; of the boy mi tho island, and it is snppnset that some timo dminj; the night he made- ; second attempt lo regain the i-liore and tha in doing so he was drowned. At any rate bis body was found about 10 o'clock yester day mnruin;: on tin- rocks at the point of th' islirnd. It was lying high and dry, but tin bruises mi ii pointed to 'liis having lwei considerably knocked about among th rock*. Yesterday a nuini-.fr ol settler*, led l>; Sorgeant Conn and Constable Urennar joined in , a tcmeh for tho body of the othe boy, but up to a late hour last night n< success hud attended their efforts. An inquest on the body of Fenwiek Her clcrson will be held at 11 o'clock this mtiri: mg <\t the rcfidonce ot Mr Heudersor Tomahawk. FATALITY AT IULCLUTHA. A telegram from Balelutlia states tlni George Egbert Latlimove, 12 years of agi was Vcridentally drowned in a branch c tho Miilynouv. near the township, yesterda afternoon. Tho body luu been recoverec The dcooesed i? a soil «f Mr Lnttimoro, Ih well-known livery ffab!" kvc[ict. of l!:i ehithii. A sad bnt'iin:; fatality reciirrrd at I.im burn station, Xascliy. on Wednesday. T\v youus men fi--mi Otiifiliii—lnr.-ra I'raw Riddell and Cliarles K Tomlison,—en ployces of Messrs Sti-vnisiin and J'onlo, i'i llAieer-, were unending their holidays n iiinnlmrn. and wont for a bathe in a dan ltiddc.U was drowned. At the ii-.<\ucst Tom lison gave the following particulars:—"\V were Riving young Alexander Cameron lesson in swimmiug. Afterwards I suggesio to the deceased to swim arrow the dan When we were half way across deews-ed sii that I would hav? to heln him. I i'i deavoured to assist, and took hold of h 'arm. Rvontually ho laid his hand on in 'shoulders, but his hand slioned. I thfi eung out. to young Alexander Cameron, In it appeared ho did not understand me. D< ceased swam a little, seemed exhausted, ai: sank afterwards. I then swam to the bar and went for assistance." The body w< recovered in some 10ft or 12ft of wad four hours and a-half later. A verdict < accidental drowning was returned. Riddel who w>6 19 years of age. was on a visit I liis uncle, Mt A. Cameron, msnager i Lirnburn station.