APPALLING TRAGEDY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2927, 25 August 1925, Page 3

APPALLING TRAGEDY.

FATHER AND FOUR CHILDREN DROWNED AT MANAWATU HEADS. FLAT BOTTOMED BOAT SWAMPED. .One of the most sad and tragic drowning fatalities that has occurred on the Manawatu River, eclipsed only by that which occurred on October 22, 1911, when eight people lost their lives, took place on Saturday afternoon when Mr. Thomas Staff, of Foxton, and four members of his family were drowned while on a pleasure trip in a flat bottomed boat on the river.

Mr. Staff, who followed the occupation of a carpenter and farmer and who resided in Norbiton Road, had, with the assistance of his two sons, built a flatbottomed boat which it was decided to try out on the river on Saturday afternoon, weather conditions being ideal, and, accompanied by two of his sons and two daughters, lie set out from Foxton for the Heads. All went well until the Heads were reached, where unbeknown to the occupants of the frail craft, the boat was swiftly carried seawards by the swift ebb tide and when - near the bar was suddenly swamped and all the occupants drowned in the sight of the single witness of the tragedy—a native woman who was unable either to utter a warning or to summon assistance in time. Up to the time of going to Press only two bodies had been recovered that of the father and the eldest girl. The victims are: —

ASSISTANCE IMPOSSIBLE,

It was only a matter of seconds and there was no one to aid even if help had been possible. Mrs Wade, who is an aged woman, took off her white coat and waved it to attract the attention of some people up the beach, but it was difficult to make them appreciate the position. As quickly as possible she caused the pilot (Mr Larsen) to he summoned, and then returned with the object of lighting a fire for use in assisting the resuscitation of any of the party who might be brought ashore. There was, however, no trace of any of the bodies, although a youth, who returned with Mrs Ward to the beach after assistance had been summoned, slated that he saw something akin to bodies in the tumbled water outside he bar. If that was so, however, they quickly disappeared again. HEAVY SEA RUNNING. In the interim, Captain Larsen, accompanied by Mr Alex Ross, had set out. with all possible expedition in the. motor pilot, launch, hut the darkness and the heavy sea nullified the prospect; of recovering the bodies and, after cruising about for some time without success, Captain Larsen returned to shore and informed the police of the fatality. Captain Larsen informed our representative that at the scene of ihe accident the water at low tide — and that was when the fatality occurred—was only four feet deep, Iml the outward set of the tide and natural river current was such that no one could stand up in it. THE SETTING SUN. In his opinion the reflection on the water of the setting sun would prevent the boating party from properly observing the angry condition of the waters at the bar, and evidently they thought that it was finite negotiable until they were too close to the breakers to he able to avoid them.

Thomas Staff, aged 41. Dulcie Staff, aged 19. Walter Staff, aged 174. Alfred Staff, aged 10. Margaret Staff, aged 13

Mrs Staff is left with a son aged 7 and two girls aged 3 and 5 respectively. It was about mid-afternoon when the ill-fated party set out from Foxton wharf in the new Hat-hot - touted boat. The tide was bn the ebb and the weather ideal for such an excursion. Aided by the ebbing tide and current the little craft made good time down the river. FISHERMAN’S WARNING. Mr. Charles Dawson, a fisherman residing at in conversation with our representative stated that at about 5 p.m. on Saturday he was fishing in the river near Rush Flat, when he noticed a boat containing five people coming down stream at a good pace. As the craft approached, Mr. Thomas Staff stopped rowing and stood up amidships and stretched himself, lat&' sitting down in the stern beside one of his daughters, while a son took his seat on the thwart. Mr. Dawson hailed the boat and Mr Staff asked him if he had caught any whitebait. Mr. Dawson, who is intimately acquainted with the confines of the river, and who realised the danger of the strong ebb tide should the party essay to cross the bar, asked Mr. Staff if that was his purpose and warned him about the danger of doing so. Mr. Staff replied “1 don’t

News of the tragedy reached Foxton about 7 p.m. on Saturday, hut at. first it was not seriously regarded by many ol those who heai d it, as no one knew who the occupants of the limit wore, and no one had been reported missing. Details ai (bat hour were meagre, hut when the police were advised by Captain Larsen of the awful happening at the heads, Constables Owen and Ryan went to the house of the Staffs and found Mrs Staff and her three young children at homo. Stic informed the constables of the party which had set out in tlie boat earlier in the afternoon, whereupon the gravest fears were entertained for the safety ol: the party, and Constables Owen and Ryan immediately left for the Beach, and spent, some hours in patrolling the north beach in the dark, but without result. In the meantime, however, Messrs C. Dawson a«d Alex. Ross had been patrolling the south beach, and had found a sail, mast, rudder and two pair of oars about half a mile to the south of the river. As it was impossible to do anything further in the dark, the search was abandoned about 11 p.m. SEARCH AT DAYBREAK. At, daybreak on Sunday, the two constables, assisted by Captain Larsen, Mr Ross, and party, continued the search, the latter trio discovering the body of Mr Thomas Staff about a quarter of a mile south of the river. In the afternoon the two local police set. out along the south beach on bicycles, in exceedingly bad weather. Heavy seas were breaking high up on to the beachj and rain fell in torrents, while a stiff westerly wind made conditions increasingly unpleasant. After spending many’ hours in futile search, they returned to the launch at about 5.30 p.m. Just before dark the body of Duleie Staff was found by the river bank about a mile inside the bar, just opposite the store, as the party was returning home. A FORTUNATE DECISION.

knodv much about- that caper/" and the party again took up the oars and proceeded seawards. IN HIGH SPIRITS. Mr Dawson ' took no further notice X of the party, but observed particularly that they all appeared to be in high spirits and thoroughly enjoying the outing. Some time later he went down to the beach, and glancing towards the mouth of the river noted that there were no signs of the Staffs and their boat. He concluded that they had gone ashore at the point, but soon afterwards was apprised of the fearful tragedy which had occurred and assisted in the search for the bodies.

SOLE WETNESS OF THE TRAGEDY.

Mrs Wade, a Maori woman, - who was gathering pipis at the point opposite the bar shortly after 5 p.m., was the sole witness of the fatality, and her account of the happening discloses that disaster was swift and sure, for no help was at hand and the current was such that no man could make headway against it. The unfortunate occupants of the boat had no chance in the maelstrom into which they were plunged when the boat met the breakers. When she first observed the craft approaching it was travelling at a fair rate of speed, two of-the boys managing the oars. All- appeared to he laughing and joking and appeared to take no heed of the swift set towards the sea which was carrying them towards the treacherous bar.

Three other children —the twe sons of Mr Kennedy,’and the littla daughter of Mrs Cavmont, of Foxton, were to have accompanied the ill-falcd party, but providentially it was decided at the last minute that thev should not make the trip.

SWAMPED IE A FEW SECONDS. Alarm was felt by -Mrs Wade at the impending danger, but the boat was too far away to call a warning, for it was then just on the inside of the river month. The rowers had their backs to the sea, one girl sat ,in the bow, and the other girl and her father in the stern. Strangely enough the young men at the oars continued to row as the bar was approached. - Anxiously the lone- spectator watched the outcome of what she felt was likely to end in disaster, and it came swiftly. The boat rose buoyantly on the top of the first wave, and the occupants laughed merrily. ■ the boat was lost to sight in the trough of the wave, reappeared, and in meeting the succeeding wave shipped half full of water. Cries came from the now sorely distressed party but a third wave following swiftly on ' the second, made their plight hopeless. It broke right over the boat, completely swamped it, and all the occupant' disappeared from view.

' the bereaved family. The late Mr Staff was well known and highly respected throughout the district, and widespread sympathy will be extended to the widow and her 'three infant children in their tragic sorrow. About 26 years ago Mr Staff’s brother and a cousin (Mr Honore) were drowned iu the Manawatu River while swimming near the Foxton wharf, and since that time Mi- Staff had been on the river very little. It is stated in Foxton that, despite the his long term of residence here, he was unacquainted, so far as practical experience is concerned, with the vagaries of the Manawatu River in the length from Foxton to the sea. Mr Staff’s father settled at Whirokino 50 years ago, and is now resident in Wellington. With a brother of deceased (Mr William Staff, of

Wellington), he arrived at Foxton on Monday.

The late Mr Thomas Staff spent part of his childhood days at Rongotea, and attended the Foxton School, later residing in Wellington, where 21 years ago he married Miss Valentine, of that city. Eight years ago he returned to Foxton and engaged in farming, carpentering and contracting, lately assisted by bis two eldest sons. Of a retiring disposition, the deceased gentleman possessed the respect of all who knew him. The members of the family were all bright children of promise. Alfred was attending Ihe Palmerston North Technical School, and Margaret was a pupil at the Palmerston North Girls’ High School. The two girls who were drowned were members of the Foxton Presbyterian Church Keep On Smiling Club, and had attended a function of that organisation on the evening prior to their death, 'flic late Ah- Staff was a nephew of Mrs E. Osborne, of Ferguson Street, Palmerston North, and of Mrs W. Anderson, of Broad Street, Palmerston N. He is survived by ilis father, two brothers (William, of Wellington, and Walter, of Auckland), and two sisters (Mrs W. Dalrvnfplo, New Plymouth, and Miss Elizabeth Staff, of Wellington). SEARCH CONTINUED. Constables Owen and Ryan were engaged in patrolling the south beach yesterday and this morning, and after a short adjournment for lunch again commenced operations. So far no trace has been discovered of the three missing bodies or llio boat.

The inquest on the recovered bodies will lie opened to-morrow at 1.1 a.m.

FUNERAL OF TWO OF VICTIMS.

Last night (he bodies of the father and eldest girl, Duleie, both bodies of whom were recovered on Sunday, were removed to tho local .Metliodisl Church. A service was held in the church at 10 o’clock this morning, conducted by the Rev. Pervitinn (Methodist), assisted by Rev. McDonald (Presbyterian Church), when there was a large number of mourners present, the church being practically filled. Both caskets were conveyed together to the cemetery, and were covered by a number of beautiful wreaths. The service at the graveside was conducted by Captain Slone (Salvation Army), Rev. McDonald (Presbyterian) and Rev. Pcr.vman (Methodist), father and daugli lor being laid at rest side by side. Provision lias been made for the interring of the throe other children in the same plot.

A large number of mourners followed (lie cortege to the graveside.

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