GALLANT RESCUE

Hokitika Guardian, 29 August 1931, Page 2

GALLANT RESCUE

'RAROTONGA FISHERMEN. WHITES AND NATIVES UNITE. CANOES LASHED TOGETHER. RAROTONGA, August 15. Native and, “papaa” (European) risked their lives together last week in a great effort to rescue three native fishermen who were in distress. A number of natives were out fishilia- in their canoes, one man in each canoe, when in the darkness, without warning a strong gale sprang up, accompanied by a terrific sea. The canoes made for the reef surrounding the lagoon, and all but five got safely in through the openings. Oi the remainder, two were hurled upon the reel, and their canoes smashed to pieces, and they themselves cut and bruised. It was doubtful if one would survive, but the prompt attention of the chief medical officer was successful. The remaining three men were unable to get their canoes near the opening, where the- enormous volume of water which was being hurled by the breakers over the reef was endeavouring to get out. As the wind increased in strength they were blown along by wind and sea, making desperate efforts to paddle against it with the ever-pre-sent fear of losing sight of the island. 1 Towards morning one became so exhausted that- he could no longer paddle, and the others decided to try to J get’ ashore for help. They were sue* eessftd in crossing during a- fortunate lull,

Breakers Forty Feet High, Immediately two canoes set out f l ’°m the lagoon entrance. In one of them was one of the natives who bad just so narrowly escaped. They made fast to the canoe in which was the exhausted man, but the wind and sea were now so strong, with breakers over forty feet high dashing against the reef, that they were swept away towards the southern end of' the island and they expected every moment to be dashed on the reefs.

The sea was impossible for whale boats, as they could not get out of the entrance to the lagoon, where the breakers were meeting the outgoing tide. An outboard dinghy, snipe Bft long, with engine and pars, was manned by a European and a native, and after swamping twice and being hurled back seceral times, succeeded in getting out through the entrance at Ngfitangiia. It was immediately lost sight of behind the breakers on the reef. The resident commissioner, Judge Avson. at the northern end of the island, had obtained the services of a fishing launch, which, manned by two European seamen and a number of natives, with a special arrangement of ballast, water provisions and oars, was able to get away from the Avarua Harbour. Going along towards.the westeiin-; side, it-succeeded in picking, up the three canoes, where they were drifting along before the wind: The i canoes were lashed together and the men in the last stages of exhaustion.

Severe Buffeting, The outboard dinghy, after cruising before the wind for some five miles, returned to Ngatangiia harbour, con vinced that the canoes must have got round to the western side or been dashed on the reef. In entering the harbour the following sea smashed the propeller and it looked for some time as if the dinghy would be dashed on the reef, but eventually they made the shore just about the spot from which the Takitumu canoe set out for New Zealand centuries ago.

The fishing party, after landing the exhausted men, again set out in the approaching darkness to give assistance to the outboard, which they did not know had just landed at the other side. They experienced on both trips a severe buffeting, and only exception, al skill and thorough knowledge of the island conditions enabled both boats to return to their respective harbours in safety. The seas that were running were exceptional for this time of the year. Immediately the boats got inside tho lagoons they were lost to view, and those on board could only see the higher portions of the island,