TRAGEDY FEARED.

Waikato Times, Volume 120, Issue 19942, 20 July 1936, Page 7

TRAGEDY FEARED.

CARRIED OVER FALLS. man seen struggling. (Bv Telegraph—Press Association.) ROTORUA. Monday. Swept from a rocky ledge while endeavouring to fill a kerosene tin with water, Mr Arthur Hodgson, of Rotorua, married with two children, aged about 28, is believed to have lost his life after (being carried over the famous lluka Falls, near Taupo, on Saturday. Although there are no eye witnesses to the actual happening, Mr Ilodgson is understood to have attempted to fill i a tin from the fast-running waters I about 200 yards above the fall by I kneeling on the ledge about a foot j above the level of the rapids. It is considered that the force of the current caused him to lose his grip. He was employed on contract for the erection of the new powerhouse to supply electricity for the Wairakei Hotel. The foreman of the work, Mr W. Cunningham, and another employee, Mr T. Leonard, when crossing the bridge a moment after the tragedy saw the unfortunate man struggling to reach the bank, but his valiant efforts were unsuccessful and he was swept over the main fall, the two men being powerless to assist. An extensive search immediately commenced. The Taupo and Rotorua polico assisted a number of men, but although Mr Hodgson’s hat and coat were found two miles below the fall no trace of the body has been seen up to early this morning.