STAGPOOLE’S STORY.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 4, 16 June 1887, Page 2

STAGPOOLE’S STORY.

A FIGHT FOR LIFE. A BRAVE MAN’S TALE. “CHEER UP HAUTAU.” A STIRRING NARRATIVE. [special to the standard.] [OOPYBIGHT.J Tologa Bay, Last Night. The following is an account of M. Stagpoole and Harry Hautau, as far as I can gather. They, Stagpoole and Harry, together with J. James and S. Gilman, a half, caste, proceded to the mouth of the river, and rowed towards the capsized boat, the occupants of which were struggling in the water. Their boat being very small, they had great difficulty in approaching. When alongside of the capsized boat they found that Harry Glover, Rawiria and Harry Hautau were cling ng on to the bottom of the boat, but nothing whatever was to be seen of Mrs Kirk and her children, or of the Maori, Ropihana Stagpoole asked Glover where they all were' He said “All are drowned.” They pulled Hautau into their boat, as he appeared thi most exhausted of the lot, leaving Glover a I Rawiria clinging on to the boat, and headed for the shore. They had not proceeded far on their way to the land when Rawiria called out for them to come back, as he was sinking. They accordingly backed towards him. Their boat was now nearly full of water, and as they got near, capsized. Gilman immediately struck out for the shore, James, Hautau aud Stagpoole clinging to the boat. The force of the sea swept James off repeatedly, but Stagpoole managed to get him on the boat each time, telling him and the Maori to cheer up while he swam ashore to get assistance. He struck out, but had not got far when James, who bad let go the boat, called out to him saying “ For Heaven's sake Stagpoole don't leave me. I cannot swim ashore."

Stagpoole turned back, caught hold of James, and brought him back to the boat Ja res let go his hold again and drifted away. Stag ,oole swam out to him a second time and brought him back. The Maori, who was very weak, was holding on bravely without uttering a single oomplaint. Seeing James apparently helpless, Stagpoole held him on with one band, grasping the boat with the other.

Just about this time Stagpoole received a violent blow on the side from the edge of tho boat, knocking him several feet away and causing him to leave go bls hold of James. When he regained the boat James had disappeared. Stagpoole then swam to where he bad seen James go down, but he never rose again, so be came back to the boat onoe more.

The Maori now showed signs of distress, and Stagpoole admonished him to cheer him up, also righting the boat. The Maori ap. peered very helpless and wanted to let go his hold and sunk, but Stagpoole kept on cheer, ing him up, eventually having to swear at him to keep his hold. Meanwhile the boat was drifting out to sea. Stagpoole got him to hold on to the boat amidships, getting on the opposite side himself This balanced her and she went out quite steady. They now saw lights, which proved to be the steamer's, and shouted to attract her attention, and had the satisfaction of seeing a boat coming towards them. They called out " Come this way.” It being dark, the boat did not observe the two men until right upon them. The Maori was very helpless, having been in the water over ttvo hours and a-half, and he had to be lifted into the boat. They were treated very kindly by the captain of the Australia.

The captain, officers, crew and passengers attended to them with the greatest of care, aud by giving the Maori strong doses of brandy he was so far recovered that he was able to be brought up on deck in the morning to try and attract the attention of the people on shore. When they first cam eon board, the ship sent up two rockets to inform the people on shore of their escape. It being rough, they could not persuade the captain to land. So after steaming round the bay and hoisting two flags, he proceeded up the Coast and landed them at Hicks’ Bay. Stagpoole was rigged out in a jacket belonging to the captain, and cap belonging to the first mate, and boots owned by the third mate. In fact it appeared as if everyone on board were doing his best to force some articles of attire on them.

On landing at Hicks’s Bay they proceeded to Mr Henderson’s residence, where he made them comfortable for the night, and in the morning provided horses to carry them to Waiapu iver, which was reached at 5 p.m. They crossed in a canoe severe! miles m-lind at a place called the Ti, while two Maoris swam their horses over, and reached Tokomaru that night. Tuey all arrived in Tologa at noon to-day. On coming to the different Maori settlements eu route, they were “ tangied ’’ or cried over by the inhabitants, some of the old Maori women actually going to the extent of trying to kiss them. Stagpoole objected very strongly to this way of showing their affection. His companion however did not, so he came in fcr more hugging, rubbing noses, and kisses, than he ever had from his better half. Both men speak very highly of the treatment they received on board the Australia.