News was received on Monday by wire from Ningpo of the death by drowning at Pootoo on Sunday of Mr. Joseph Haas, Consul-General at Shanghai of Austro-Hungary. Mr. and Mrs. Haas, with Mr. Ghisi, Italian Consul, and Mrs. Ghisi, Mrs.'Edkins, and other friends, went to Pootoo on Saturday in the Kiangteen, and he has probably fallen a victim to the treacherous currents which make bathing at Pootoo such a dangerous enjoyment. The body had not been recovered when the telegram was despatched, and the Chinese officials had been asked to assist, in the search for it.
Mr. Haas was a very old resident of Shanghai, having been originally in commerce. He was an adept at languages and soon learnt Chinese, and became appointed interpreter, rising ually through the ranks of Vieo-Consul. and Consul. to Consul-General, so highly were his services appreciated by his Government. He was one of the most obliging of men, and will be very much missed by his numerous friends. He had been twice married, and the deepest sympathy is felt for his widow.
The Kiangteenarrived on Tuesday morning bringing details of the sad death of Mr. Haas. It appears that after landing at Pootoo'on Sunday Mr. Haas' party took chairs ind went toa bay at some distance to bathe. There was a strong ebb-tide running, which Captain Pratt estimates at about 7 knots, and -after they had been some time in the water, Mr. Haas was observed to show signs of distress. Mr. Ghisi_and a gentleman named Brandt, of the Customs in Ningpo, at once went to his assistance, but were quite unable to help him. Mr. Ghisi succeeded in getting ashore in a greatly exhausted condition, but Mr. Brandt was carried out by the tide, and, after being nearly two hours in the water, managed to get near some rocks where some Buddhist priests who had witnessed the occurrence procured ropes and succeeded in dragging him out of the water in an almost unconscious state. Mr. Haas was seen struggling in the water for a short time, but he finally sank. No assistance was possible as there was not a boat to be obtained in the neighbourhood. Mr. Haas was known to have a week heart, and it is thought that in all probability he was at~ tacked by syncope.
On the Kiangteen's arrival at Ningpo an affidavit setting forth the facts of the accident was filed before Mr. Playfair, acting Consul for Austro-Hungary. Up to the present no news has been received of the recovery of the body.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.