TWO MEN DROWNED

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20505, 25 August 1936, Page 6

TWO MEN DROWNED

WERE SEARCHING FOR CRAYFISH DINGHY CAPSIZES By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND, August 24. Two men were the victims of a drowning accident which occurred at noon to-day in Horton’s Bay, about three miles from Leigh, between Leign Harbour and Ti Point. The men had been searching for crayfish in a small dinghy and the boat was found capsized, one of the bodies being discovered in the water with a rope attached to the boat tied round an ankle. The victims were: Stanley Rogers, farmer, aged 56, married, of Leigh, who is survived by his wife and daughter. Cyril Wilson, farmer, aged 27, single, of Leigh. Then men were seen by Mr E. C. Horton, who lives near the bay, searching for crayfish at 11.30 a.m., their dinghy being on the ocean side of the small island which lies across the bay forming a natural harbour. On returning to the vicinity an hour later after meeting the mail car, Mr Horton was startled to see the dingby upside down about 40 yards from the shore side of the island and about 100 yards from the beach. He immediately telephoned Mr D. Matheson,, a fanner at Leigh, who arranged for the immediate despatch from Leigh of the fishing boat Margaret with a party on board. Wilson’s body was found in the bay with a piece of rope attached to the dinghy tied to an ankle. No trace of Rogers body was found. Constable Robertson of Warkworth was communicated with and dragging operations were carried out until dark without success. Rogers was a very strong swimmer and it is thought that he might have attempted to save his companion with the rope. The anchor had evidently fallen out of the dinghy when it capsized, and the boat was anchored when the fishing vessel arrived. A fair sea was running and there was a strong easterly wind. FULL REPORT ON THURSDAY Great interest is being taken in South Canterbury in the Ranfurly Shield match to be played in Dunedin to-morrow between South Canterbury and Otago. A special train is to leave Timaru at 6.35 and another at 7 o’clock to-morrow morning, and judging by the demand "or tickets up till yesterday, there is every indication that the accommodation will be fully taxed. Should the South Canterbury team be successful in bringing the Shield back to Timaru, the town will benefit considerably, and realising this, a large number of employers are permitting as many of their employees as possible to travel to Dunedin.

A representative of “The Timaru Herald” will be present at the match, and a full report of the play and comments on the game will be published on Thursday, together with illustrations.