ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 882, 7 December 1916, Page 11

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

THREE GIRLS DROWNED. Press Association. GISBOBNE, Dei-ember 7. A drowning fatality occurred at Tu Arai yesterday afternoon, when three Maori girls lost their lives. The children were pupils of the To Arai School, named Kera Johnston (12 years), Horiaiaa Turangi (9), and Pairua (84). They went to the ri'.-er to bathe, and were accompanied by three other girls. No definite 'story is told by the survivors as to how the tragedy occurred, but it is surmised that the children got into difficulties in deep water. Upon the alarm being given, several adults went to their assistance, but the girls had disappeared. The girls were all used to swimming. A search was immediately instituted, but so far only one bodv has been recovered.

KILLED BY EXPLOSION. iCARTERTON, December 7. Geo. Theo Poote, 28, married man, was killed by the explosion of a soda cylinder. He was engaged charging a syphon at a shop near the military camp, when the explosion occurred, killing him instantly. His assistant, a youth named H. Brannigan, was seriously injured.