THE LAUNCH TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 28 August 1924, Page 1

THE LAUNCH TRAGEDY

now R'OAT was swampf.p. BY IKI.KCn.U'II —I'ItKSS ASSN., COI'YHIt.IIT. W.AIROA August 27. Kurtlier details of tc-day's Whakaki drowning fatality show that six natives ami two pakeluts went nut ill a whaleboat for the ] ttrp.ose of lisliiug oil' tin- mast. Thole was a heavy runout from Whakaki Lagoon, which opened the previous day. The boat was caught in a strong curient. The ik eupants were helpless. One native stood in: and his action oai'M'd tile rowers to mi-.s a entiling nave. One oar snapped and the boat turned broadside on. The next wave swamped and upset the boat-, and the oars were swept away immediately. Taylor. Ilckinoki I’aktt and Rika Rimka managed to swim ashore with difficulty. Witvniu Walker, who was fishing on the beach. saw the accident and lie launched mi old canoe. He was able to le-ctie ITi" Itodgeis alive, and to toeovi'r the body of I’urti SrTdomon.. ISaruey lluka. and Wi Toko Humana "We also drowne'lj hut their bodies have not been recovered. Walker's action is worthy of proper re:-i‘gn!t,ion. lie risked liis life in a verv "Id oanue. going out into the ‘•lip." The Ilnrbynr Board's latiii'.h and Rieliardsim’s Tatigarna and Tiuttu ]iroceedeil to the seene of the adcideiit. but saw no signs of the bodies. All the victims were married. Huku bad no children. Hamniia had several dependtnits. Burn Solomon had a family of twenty-one. seven being under 1(>. and the youngest only four months. A dose watch is being kept for other bodies.