MOTOR LAUNCH SWAMPED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2777, 28 August 1924, Page 3

MOTOR LAUNCH SWAMPED.

THREE DROWNED. GALLANT RESCUE IN OLD CANOE. Wairoa, Last Night. Police-sergeant Wade has received word that a motor launch, containing a party of eight, capsized while fishing off: Whakaki about ten o’clock this morning. Three narives—Pnru Solomon, Wi Toko Hama no, and a new arrival —were drowned. The other live reached I lie shore safely. Further details of to-day’s Whakiiki drowning fatality show that six natives and two pakehas went out in a whale boat for the purpose of fishing off the coast. There was a heavy run-out from the Whakaki lagoon, which had been opened the previous day, and the boat was caught in the strong current. The occupants were Helpless. One native stoofl up, and that action caused the rowers to miss an oncoming wave, and one oar snapped. The boat turned broadside on and the next wave swamped and upset it. The boat and oars were swept away immediately. Taylor, Nokinoki, Paku, and Kiku managed to swim aslioro with difficulty. Wirernu and Walker, who were fishing on the beach, saw the accident and launched an old canoe. They were able to rescue Eric Rogers alive and recover the body of Puru Solomon. Barney Kuka and Wi Toko Hamana were also drowned, but the bodies have not been recovered.

Walker s heroic action is worthy of proper recognition. He risked his life in a very old canoe, going out iuto the rip. The Harbour Board launch, and Messrs Richardson’s Taugaroa and Tuatu proceeded to the scene of the accident but saw no sign of the bodies. All the victims were married, Huka had no children, Humana two and several other dependants. Puru Solomon had a family of 21, seven being under 10, and the youngest four months old. A close watch is being kept for the other bodies.