A Sad Case of Drowning.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 3, Issue 14, 19 February 1892, Page 2

A Sad Case of Drowning.

A sad case of drowning occurred at Onamalutu on Friday last, when a little girl about fourteen years of age named Emily Wady met her death. It appears that the deceased, with two little boys named John and Walter Ward were paddling about in a eanoe, which capsized, and one or two children who were on the bank ran for assistance. Mr Oarlile Bonney, bearing of the occurrence, with commendable promptitude, immediately hastened to the children's aid, taking off his coat as he went along. When he arrived he could see no sign of the children, but without any hesitation be plunged into the water, which was about ten feet deep at this spot, and came'across one of the boys, who he immediately brought to the surface, and with the assistance of Miss Wady he was soon placed on the bank. Mr Bonney dived again and got hold of the other boy, and then made a third attempt to rescue the little girl, but was some time before he found her. She had, however, been too long in the warier, and all attempts to bring •her round were unavailing, but the two" boys, though apparently lifeless, when brought to the surface soon recovered. All the children were on the bottom when Mr Bonney got hold 01 them, and it was 8 o'clock in the evening, so his task was a difficult one. We believe this is the third or fourth time since this gentleman's arrival in New Zealand that he has saved people from drowning, and we would suggest that he has a fair claim to the Humane Society's medal. At the inquest on Saturday a verdict of found drowned was returned. Great sympathy is felt for Miss Wady, as her mother is dead, her. father is in England, and eldest brother in the North Island, which makes the case an unusuajly sad one for her as well as those who are away. The funeral was attended by a large number of settlers in the district as a mark of respect for "the deceased and sympathy for the bereaved family. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Onamalutu, February 16. Our Valley is not very often prolific as regards news on account of the uneventful character of our lives and occupations, but we are liable, like the rest of the \yorid, to be visited by those changes that accompany a human existence. The troubles of life can touch us here as,well as tho residents of cities. We have had, unfortunately, a melancholy illustration of this truth within the hut few days. On the evening of last Friday aa accident occurred which brought mourning to one family, and, but for the timely assistance of one of the residents, would have visited another with like affliction. A little before dusk a number of children were amusing themselves in a dug-out canoe on a pool in the Onamalutu River, where the water was of considerable depth. By some accident a number of, them were precipitated into the water, but all scrambled out except Emily Wady, a girl of 14 years, and Walter Wardi aged about 10 years. John Ward, a boy of 18, the brother of Walter, being able to swim, plunged into the river to rescue his brother, but being grasped by Emily Wady, he was pulled down and became insensible. A Blenheim boy, of the name of Crook, however, succeeded in bringing him to land, and eventually to his senses. An alarm had in the meantime reached Mr Wady's house, and Mr C. Bonney, who happened to be there, hurried to the river, which was now perfectly still, showing that the other two unfortunates were insensible at the bottom. It was now so dusk that the readiest chance of discovering the i bodies was by feeling for them with his feet. By this means he discovered and brought out Walter Ward, but he had much farther to explore in deeper water before he discovered the body of Emily Wady. Walter Ward was brought to consciousness and conveyed to his home, where, by the diligent use of remedies he was put out of danger. John Ward, who had shown the most unselfish and plucky. determination in his efforts to save the others, was for a while in danger, but after a time managed to walk home. Unfortunately all efforts to rouse life in Emily Wady were unavailing. An inquest was held on Saturday under the superintendence of Mr Allen, R.M., when a verdict of Found Drowned was returned. The tuneral on Monday, at the Kaituna Cemetery, vvas attended by a large concourse of people, both young and old, as a last mark ot respect for the deceased, and sympathy pv tlje sori?ow|rjg family; The buttal servjpe was jtnpressively* read by the Rev E. Ensor, and was listened to with serious attention,.by the gathering of friends round the grave. TI)P heartfelt sympathy of the neighbours wag increased by the fact that jihe (fcceased girl's mother died some years ago, the father is in, England, i*nd the oldest toother, who is the present head of the fotnjly, went to the North Island on business only a day or two before the sccjdeqt. Great praise is due, to Mr jtonuey for the skilful and courageous way in which he accomplished the difficult task of finding and rescuing the bodies.

lii view of the large assembly at the grave Mr« Partington heard one old resident commenting on the contrast between the number then present and the small number of residents in the Valley | ffew a|Q,,