BOATING FATALITY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3168, 2 December 1914, Page 62

BOATING FATALITY.

o-WOOL-LADEN SURF-BOAT. ' WELLINGTON, November 28. News of a boating fatality -at Te Awaiti, on the east coast, near Cape Palliser, was received here by telephone this morning. A surf-boat belonging to the steamer Kahn was returning to the vessel with a load of wool from Wiffenford’s Station when the engine broke down, and the anchor was dropped. Tho boat swamped in a heavy sea, and three out of the four men in her were drowned—viz., W. Leers (first mate, 50 years of age, married at Wellington three months ago), and O'Brien and D. Matheson (able seamen). The fourth man was rescued by the Kahu’s lifeboat, in charge of Wilson (second mate). The bodies have not been recovered. The Ripple has been ordered from Akitio to proceed to the scene of- the disaster. November 29. Captain Pettersen, of the steamer Kahu, which arrived last night from Te Awaiti, states that when the accident to the surfbeat was observed from the steamer, the lifeboat was launched and away within four minutes. The sea had been calm, but, without any warning, mountainous waves began to run, although no wind was blowing. He had, therefore, to signal the lifeboat’s crew not to attempt to come out to the steamer again. The Kahu came on with only the engineer, two firemen, and the cook, and was very glad to make port.