Dramatic Dash By Canoe and Car

Chronicle (Levin), 10 July 1948, Page 3

Dramatic Dash By Canoe and Car

WANGANUI, July 9. : The story pf a raee against. time in a canoe, which had to be skilfully handled over rapids with the Wanganui Kiver in flood, in an effort to save the life of a three-month-old child, was t'old at hn inquest at Raetihi into the death df Lynette' Taurerewa, the daughtcr of Ada Taurerewa, pf Paruuui,- Wanganui River; The niether told. the Gerener (Mr. W- H. Sandferd, J.P.) that when the child. became ill en Sunday night, their home' was so isolated fhat medical aid could not be obtained. She waited until morning, and as the condition of the child became worse, she decided to take it to Raetihi, a journey of 17 miles by river and 17 miles by road. Mr. Raifgi te Hore obtained a canoe, and in his skilful hands, aided by .a lad, Ringa Taurerewa, the mother and child were transported over the .17 miles of swollen river to Pipiriki in two and a half hours. There a car met the party, and they startetl on the 17mile journey to Raetihi, but the child died 10 miles out from Pipiriki. Te Hore's effort with the canoe- has earned him, a great deal of praise. He had to negotiate the dangefs of the Tieke, Ngaporo, and^ Paparoa rapids, and at any oue of them faulty judgnient would have meant disaster. The river was liigh in flood. The inquest was adjourned to enable further inquiries to be made by the medical authorities.