DROWNING OF THE REV MR MORICE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5193, 26 December 1884, Page 3

DROWNING OF THE REV MR MORICE.

.*- {Otago Daily Timer.) From a gaatlemau at Balclutha, who went down to Port Molyneux on Tuesdav afternoon on receipt of the news of the sad accident to the Rev Mr Morice, we have obtained the following correct account of the occurrence :—" Mr and Mrs Morice went to bathe^at noon on Tuesday at the beach, immediately to the south of Kaka Point. They and their eldest boy were all bathing at the same spot, at the same time. The boy did not go far into the water, but his father and mother evidently went beyond their depth, and wero struggling amongst the waves. The boy did not know anything was the matter, but wondered why tbey were staying in the water so much longer than usual. Mr Morice came ashore and asked his son to run for the Maoris, whose kaik is near by". Mrs Morice was a£ this time a good way out amongst the waves. Billy, a Maori, at once went out to her assistance, but apparently was unable to bring her ashore. Mr Morice then went to help him, and it would seem that he had got exhausted, and the Native had hold of both, trying to save them. Either he or Mr Morice called to the other Maoris who had come to the beach to throw out a rope, which they did. Billy then let go his hold of Mr Morice, in order to seize the rope, and Mr Morice was then carried away. Mi-3 Morice was rescued, and taken to Mr Wilson's house at Wiltshire Bay. She remained in a half-unconscious state during the afternoon and evening, but on Wednesday she recovered a good deal. At intervals she recognised some of those around her, arid asked after the children by name, but she never mentioned Mr Morice, and it was impossible to say whether or not she was aware of his fate. Mr Morice's body was washed ashore into shallow water in about 20 minutes or half-an-hour after he was missed, and was conveyed to the house the family occupied at the old signal station. The Maoris say that a change has this year taken place in the configuration of the bottom at the spot where the accident occurred. Formerly it sloped out very gradually, and one could walk out with safety to the required depth of water. Now, however, there is a sudden dip or break in the bottom, and those unaware of it would, on reaching it, drop into deep water."