THE PAEROA TRAGEDY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1554, 25 September 1912, Page 6

THE PAEROA TRAGEDY.

EVIDENCE AT THE INQUIRY. (By Telesrapa.—Press Associa-t'on.) Auckland, September 24. An inquiry was held at l'aeroa to-day into the boating fatality on Saturday, which resulted in three, children being drowned. Evidence was given by Fortescue Moresby, a boy 13 years old, who was in tho boat which overturned and sent the three children to their untimely death. Ho stated that, along with Kenneth Shaw and Jack Shaw and Mary Movie, ho was pulling on tho river on Saturday afternoon. No sail was used. Kenneth Shaw leaned over to ono side of the boat, and caused the small craft to ship a little water. The girl, Mory Moyle, got a little excited, and then tho quick movements of the children caused mora water to be shipped and the boat to overturn. Witness added that lie was tho only one in the boat who could swim. He tried to save both Mary Coyle and Jack Shaw, but was unable to do so.

Mr. Edwjrd Shaw and Mr. Lionel Shaw, who were quickly at the scene of the accident, dived into the river to attempt to save the children, but were unsuccessful.

The two boys who were drowned were the sons of Mr. Edward Shaw, and the drowned girl was an adopted child of Shaw.

The funeral of the three children took place this afternoon, and was one of the largest ever seen in the district.