LAKE FATALITIES.

Wairarapa Age, 7 July 1936, Page 5

LAKE FATALITIES.

BODIES OF VICTIMS NOT YBT RECOVERED. With boisterous weather conditions and the lake in fairly high flood, the search for the bodies of Thomas Latham and Geoffrey William Bicknell, who were drowned in Lake Onoke on Saturday afternoon, was greatly hindered yesterday. In the morning the beaches were searched, but dragging operations could not be carried out. In the afternoon the weather was so rough that the search had to be postponed until to-day when it is hoped that there will be an abatement in the adverse conditions. An aeroplane was not used in the search yesterday on account of the high wind and the muddy water of the lake.

MINISTER’S CONCERN. NEED OF ACTION TO SAVE LIVES. WELLINGTON, July 6. “I am wondering if something could be done that would be a help in preventing these now all-too-common tragedies among game and fishing parties,’’ stated the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry) to-day in referring to the fatality on the Wairarapa Lake on Saturday. “I know —any experienced angler and game hunter knows—that young men full of enthusiasm for the sport go out on a lagoon or lake in these easily-capsiz-able boats without thinking of the danger they run. I have done so myself unheeding obvious risks, and some mishap—sometimes pretty startling, too—has occurred to bring the risks home to me. To be capsized ip a flatbottomed boat in heavy wearing apparel, including gumboots, is a nasty experience and to become entangled among freshwater weeds is an incident in one’s life to be ever remembered. It is proved that even the best of sportsmen, like the two young fellows who lost their lives in the Wairarapa Lake three weeks ago and -those who were the victims in this last week-end fatality, can get into a trap from which it is impossible to secure release. The cases certainly bring up the question: Can anything be done to spread, some sound hints and warnings which would be both timely and useful to sportsmen, whether experienced or inexperienced, who go out on our lakes and rivers, etc., fishing or shooting! I feel that the matter is one which the acclimatisation societies, the rod and gun clubs, and, perhaps, the life-saving societies could take into consideration. They are competent bodies controlling a wide field in their activities and, no doubt, they could devise helpful means which would tend to prevent or lessen these unfortunate tragedies. We all would like to see some action taken. The Department of Internal Affairs, with its widespread functions, would co-operate in every way practicable with any move adopted with the one aim in view—to safeguard valuable lives.’’ —(P.A.)