ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6832, 21 April 1890, Page 3

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

FATAL BOATING ACCIDENT AT KAIAPOI.

On Saturday afternoon about a quarter to five o'clock, three eons of Mr W. Alexander, master of the Kaiapoi Government School, went down the Waimakariri. in the sailing boat Kate, having an ebb tide, and beating against an easterly breeze. Tho eldest, William, is seventeen: years old, and haß had some two or three voyages at sea; the second was Victor, aged fifteen, and the third Reginald, eleven years old. The boys passed the sailing boats Madge and Lotus returningfrom a race, below Lock's Point, and continued down the river. About a quarter to six the two eldest returned" to Mr Alexander's house, with the news that the Kate had been filled by a gust of windbetween Askeaton and Stewart's Gully, about a chain and a half from the South, bank, and that all then had endeavoured to~ reach the bank, hut only the two eldest succeeded in doing so. The youngest, Reginald, although able to swim, wasweak from a recent attack of influenza (from which epidemic his brothers had also suffered), and the cold water and strong current proved too much for him, aUhougkboth his brothers made very plucky attempts to save him, and managed to partially undres-s themselves. They got ashore and crossed the North branch, higher up in Mr Fantham's boat, arriving as above, the youngest with only his shirt on. Mr Alextiuder at once comuiunicated with the police, and he and Constables Cartmill and Morgan, with other willing helpers, went to the epot, but the high tide and darkness rendered all attempts to find the body fruitless. Another attempt was made at nine o'clock, and operations continued till 2 a.m. on Sunday. The boat was recovered and baled out. At low tide, about noon yesterday, several crews dragged and searched, but at 2.30 p.m. no trace of the body had been found. Parties went to the North and South spits in the afternoon, the sailing boat Madge making a trip to the bar and Bpits. Deep sympathy is felt by everyono for Mr and Mrs Alexander in their bereavemenc, especially as the poor little fellow was a very promising boy, and a general favourite with his schoolmates and others.

In connection with the Association foot — ball match on Saturday, Mr W. P. Reeves BUBtain.d some injury through a collision. The affair was a pure accident. Another player, who was running hard, slipped, and Mr Eeeves received the full force of the shock. His face was somewhat cut, and he was severely shaken. Enquiriesmade late last night brought the assurance that he would soon be all right again.