TWO BOYS DROWNED

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20898, 30 November 1937, Page 8

TWO BOYS DROWNED

NORTHERN TRAGEDIES By Telegraph—Press Association WHANGAREI, November 29. The first drowning in Northland thia swimming season occurred yesterday, when Arthur Richard Schutt, aged 13, was drowned in the Hatea River. He was bathing with two of the Tufnell children in a portion of the river where dredging operations have recently been carried out, and the bank shelves sharply to a depth of 25 feet. He was soon noticed to be in difficulties, and the Tufnell children ran home for assistance. Mrs Tufnell dived in, fully clothed, in an attempt ’to rescue the boy. However, she was unsuccessful, and the police were called. It was impossible to find the body by diving, and grappling irons had to be used. Deceased was a son of Mr William John Schutt, Port Whangarei. By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND, November 29. An inquest was opened this morning into the death of Desmond Llewelyn Thomas, aged 15, of Avondale, who was drowned in the Whau Creek yesterday afternoon. He was swimming with 14 other lads, and it was not until the majority had left for home that It was found he was missing. George Heron, a resident of the district, searched the swimming pool and found the body. A doctor stated that the boy had apparently been dead for more than two hours. The boy was a strong swimmer and popular in the neighbourhood. He had recently been apprenticed as a coachbuilder with the Auckland Transport Board.