DROWNING FATALITY.

Western Star, 6 April 1920, Page 2

DROWNING FATALITY.

A drowning fatality occurred at Pahia on Good Friday, resulting in the death of two 1 married men, Alfred Milwood and Charles Ew-ald Millar, aged 3-1 and 50 years respectively. Doth men left Riverton in the Makere for Orepuki, the launch being recently purchased by Mr Shirley It was his intention to keep her at Monkey Island, near Orepuki, for fishing purposes.

When the lauilch left a heavy sea was running and in the vicinty of Pahia the occupants decided to anchor the boat. They were seen by Mr Arthur Grey a resident of Pahia and ho put oil' in his dingy and advised them to come ashore. Milwood was inclined to take his advice but Millar cecicled otherwise and they remained on board. Shortly after returning in his dingy Mr Grey saw that, the launch was in difficulties and a heavy sea came in which swamped her and both men were, seen clinging to planks in the water. The launch was eventually cast up on the beach. An examination of the launch showed that two life buoys were fastened on board,, but no attempt hadi been mad© to use them; while a blade had been broken from the propeller and, besides a fairly large hole in the bottom, a part of the left side of the launch was missing.