NORTHERN WAIROA.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 425, 22 May 1871, Page 2

NORTHERN WAIROA.

SAD ACCIDENT.—TWO LIVES LOST. One of those sad accidents which cast a gloom over a neighbourhood, cause sorrow in families, and fill some hearts with anguish, occurred at Tokatoka on the 9th instant. A youth named Frank William North wood, and a man named Henry Sullnck, were drowned by the upsetting of a boat. The youth was related toMr.J. Fitness, of Tokatoka, (through his wife)' and employed by him in the stores of Messrs. Must and Co. During Mr. Fituess's absence in Auckland, the care of the atore was left in the deceased Sullack's charge. He appears to have been very anxious to do all he could during his absence, and made a voyage to Kaihu on Monday with two tons of gum, and returned to Tokatoka about three o'clock in the morning of Tuesday. He loaded again, and started with two tons and 13 cwt. more gum, Frank North-wood—Mr. Fitness's brother-in-law—being with him in the boat, at the helm. When abreast of Mr. Jenkins', it came on to blow very hard, and -whilst Sullack was endeavouring to take in a reef, the boat gave a heavy lurch, took in water, then righted again, and eventually sank. Captain Stanaway, of the Clyde ; Mr. Manning, of the Packet"; Mr. Stana>\ay, of Tokatoka, and several of the settlers on the banks of the Wairoa, spent considerable time in endeavouring to raise the boat and to find the bodies. The bout came to pieces with the efforts made, and, I regret to say, the bodies have not been found. The elder deceased was a married man, and leaves a family, now residing at Melbourne.—[" Herald's" Correspondent, May 16.]