BOY DROWNED

Wairarapa Age, 30 November 1937, Page 6

BOY DROWNED

ACCIDENT IN NORTH AUCKLAND RIVER. WHANGAREI, November 29. The first drowning Occident in. North. Auckland this swimming season occurred yesterday, when Arthur Richard Schutt, aged 13, was drowned in the Hatea River. Deceased was bathing with two Tufnell children in a portion of the rivei; where dredging operations had been recently carried out, and the bank shelves sharply to a depth of 25 feet. Deceased was soon, noticed to be in diffculties, 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 William John Harold Schutt, of Port Whangarei— (P.A.) DEATH OF SWIMMER. INQUEST ADJOURNED, AUCKLAND, November 29. An inquest was opened this morning into the death of Desmond Llewellyn Thomas, aged 15, of Avondale, who was drowned in Whau Creek yesterday afternoon. He was swimming with fourteen 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 over two hours. The boy was a strong swimmer, and was popular in the neighbourhood. He had recently been apprenticed as a coachbuilder with. the Auckland Transport Board. After hearing evidence of identification, the Coroner (Mr. F. K. Hunt) adjourned the inquest sine die. —(P.A.)