LAMENTABLE AND FATAL OCCURRENCE.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume VI, Issue 134, 9 February 1854, Page 2

LAMENTABLE AND FATAL O CC URR ENCE.

It is with sincere and painful regret that we find ourselves called upon to communicate the particulars of a fatal accident that look place near Waiheki on Wednesday the 16th of November, and which resu'lcd in iho death (by drowning) of nine unlives of (hi; Ngalimaia tribe includingilieircliiefWliaiapu a man of much inllnence, and deservedly respected by all lo whom ho was known. As far as we can learn, it would appear that these unfortunate people were on their passage lo Auckland in a canoe heavily laden with kauri gum, potatoes, and other produce; and lhat, in consequence of the boisterous slate or the weather, they experienced very great difficulty in crossing the Thames, encountering a heavy cross sea when within a few miles of Waiheki reach. The poor fellows immediately set to work to lighten their vessel, throwing out. the gum and other heavy articles. All however proved unavailing; Ihe canoe filled and liirned bottom upwards. Hy great exertion they succeeded in righting her, ami by incessant baling managed lo draw her in shore near to the Papnroa point. Hy lhal lime, their strength unhappily became exhausted, so that they fell an easy prey lothe tempestuous billows, one by one disappearing as ihe canoe drifted towards the shore. The death of one of Ihe chiefs named Ngapu, was exceedingly touching. This gallant fellow had his wife with him, and was passionately desirous of saving her life. In the fond hope of accomplishing his loving purpose he bore her in his arms through the foaming surge, and succeeded in reaching a rock ; but alas, only lo discover that life was cxlinct. Frantic with grief he plunged into ihe tide, and speedily found a watery grave. Out of a parly or twelve, we lament lo say, there, arc bullhreo survivors lo lull the. distressing lale. The names of those drowned are: Whaiapu, Ngapu, Analina, Te Uiiiotuhi, Hope, Xgaone, Ngaaho, Te Iwa, and Tito. The names of ihe survivors are; Piniha, (also was one of ihe survivors when he Rev. John Iluinby and party perished by the upsetting of a cmioc not far from the same spol) Ragana, and To Run.