Death Of Cart.

"Bill" Tait

Extraordinary Accident in Solomons

NEWS of the death of Captain W. (“Bill”) Tait, one of the best known men in the Solomon Islands, was brought to Sydney by the “Morinda” in mid-November.

Tait, who was skipper of the 36-ton W. R. Carpenter inter-island vessel, “Balus”, was on a freighting trip along the east coast of Guadalcanal. On Octo ber 30, the vessel ran onto a shingle beach, near Aola, and Tait clambered over the side to inspect the position. He was standing on a bank of sand, near the after-end of the boat, when the pro peller commenced to race full astern.

This caused the sand at Tait’s feet to

shift in the swirling water. He endeav oured to get back onto firm sand, but was drawn into the water under the “Balus’s” stern. The suction of the rac ing propeller drew him against the blades, and he suffered shocking injur ies, and died soon afterwards.

The native crew brought his body back to Tulagi, where he was buried.

Mr. E. Mapletoft, manager for Burns Philp (S.S.) Co. Ltd., at Faisi, 8.5.1., and who is at present in Sydney on furlough, said that Captain Tait had been in the Islands for about 10 years. “He was about 36—big and boisterous; a bom humour ist, and well liked by everyone he met.

The news of his death was received with genuine regret by his many friends in the Solomons”, added Mr. Mapletoft.

A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs.

F. W. Stcrck, of Suva, Fiji, on Novem ber 17.