UNLUCKY SPORTSMAN

Taranaki Daily News, 8 May 1930, Page 7

UNLUCKY SPORTSMAN

CANOE CAPSIZES IN RIVER. ' LOSS’ OF GUN AND EQUIPMENT. ' Eagerness to secure an extra duck for his already well-filled bag led to an Auckland sportsman losing a valuable shotgun, a pair of rubber knee-boots, a waterproof overcoat and a cartridge waistcoat containing about 49 rounds, early on the morning of May 1. In company with others of a party encamped near the Waikato Heads, Mr. H. L. Carter, of Mount Eden, set out for a morning’s shooting at about 3.30 a.m. The other’s made their way to their individual positions in light boats, but Mr Carter chose a canvas canoe. He arrived at a small island near the mouth of the Waikato in safety, and shot nine birds, collecting them in his canoe. He was paddling toward a tenth when he saw another, bird fly low directly overhead. Without thinking of the consequences, he dropped the paddle and fired, with the result that the canoe capsized, throwing Mr. Carter, who was wearing knee boots, overcoat and cartridge waistcoat, in addition to his ordinary clothes, into about 25ft of water.

Not wishing to lose his gun, Mr. Carter retained his hold of it, and struggled to kick off his heavy boots. After an effort he freed himself of one, but in trying to take off the other he dropped the gun. He finally took off the second boot, his overcoat and waistcoat, and swam to the island, which was barely discernible in the half light. He succeeded in climbing ashore through thick reeds, and then settled, down to wait for tho other members of the party, who noticed his long absence and found him on tho island, over three hours . later. The canoe was discovered floating bottom uppermost two miles down stream.