LAUNCH CAPSIZES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3885, 28 August 1928, Page 65

LAUNCH CAPSIZES.

CRAFT LATER DISAPPEARS. TWO MEN ON BOARD. WELLINGTON, August 23. The secretary of the General Post Office has received the following message from the postmaster at Plimmerton:— “ The large launch Matakitaki, owned by Messrs Brown Bros., of Paremata capsized off the Reefs about two miles from Plimmerton at 2.30 p.m. It is unofficially advised that Harry Brown, aged 53 years, married, with no children, and Alick Brown, aged 48, married, with four children, were in the launch at the time. The launch was seen floating for a few minutes, and then disappeared. It was impossible to send searchers from either Plimmerton or Paremata. A heavy sea is running, and there is a high wind. A party of men have left Paremata for the Reefs, near the scene of the mishap. Brown Bros, carried lifebelts in the launch. — s The search for the missing men was continued until dark. No trace of them was seen, but much wreckage from the launch and the battered hulk were discovered. The cause of the disaster seems to have been the stoppage of the engine, and the boat capsized in the heavy seas. Tire two men were farmers who did fishing in the-winter. :• ■ •

FRUITLESS SEARCH FOR BODIES. WELLINGTON, August 24. The secretary of the General Post Office advises as follows:—“With regard to the wrecked launch Matakitaki, search parties from Paremata and Titahi Bay report finding a lifebuoy, portion of the hull, sail and mast of the launch off Titahi Bay. The bodies of the Brown brothers have not yet been recovered. The Paremata party is still continuing its search of the coast line.” '