RESCUE FROM BREAKERS

Taranaki Daily News, 13 March 1933, Page 6

RESCUE FROM BREAKERS

MAORI BOY IN DIFFICULTIES. SMART WORK ON HAWERA BEACH. A heavy northerly set and choppy breakers made swimming conditions on South Taranaki beaches difficult yesterday and Rangi Tonga, a Maori youth, got into difficulties at Waihi. He was brought ashore by another Maori, Andrew Pokau, Tonga was noticed in difficulties beyond the breakers and Miss J. Spragg and Mr. L. Spragg went to his rescue. The tricky nature of the sea, however, prevented them from achieving . their purpose. Meanwhile a rope was secured from a Maori fishing boat and an impromptu line was rigged, Pokau acting as beltman. Other swimmers assisted in bringing the three swimmers ashore. Both Miss and Mr. Spragg were somewhat distressed, and resuscita.tion had to be used for Tonga. Apparently the conditions were sufficiently troublesome to warn bathers. Sufficient care seemed to be generally shown.

Though the majority of the Hawera Live-Saving Club members were at Patea several were available to answer an alarm at Ohawe. When the bell rang they raced to the reel and made a very smart turn-out. When they reached the water’s edge, however, they found their •ervices were not required it was a false alarm.