CANOE CAPSIZES

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 429, 10 May 1937, Page 5

CANOE CAPSIZES

TWO MAORIS LOSE LIVES Tragedy Near Kawhia Press Association —Copyright. Auckland, May 9*. A double tragedy overtook a party of four Mlaoris when an old native canoe in which they were returning from a football mai ich at Kinohaku, near Kawhia, capsized in a tidal river in the upper reaches of Kawhia harbour about 7.30 p.m. on Saturday. Two of the natives were drowned and two o 'hers were exhausted: when -hey reached the shore. The victims were: John Cunningham, aged about 21, single, of Owhiro, and formerly of Taranaki: George Kara, Uged 24, single, of Owhiro. The party, which comprised Cunningham, Kara and two other Maoris named John Tikina, aged 29, and Tom Reihana, aged 22, left Kinohaku after I lie two former h’ d participated in a fool ball match. They set out for their homes at Owhiro on a tidal river about 10 miles 'from Kawhia heads, when the canoe capsized. The river was in high tide, which would make the width about two chains. It is understood thia.t when the craft overturned Cunningham clung to Kara, who was a very fine swimmer. The other two Maoris struck out for the bank on the muddy side of ithe river, but Reihana (tired and sank Tikina, who was also tiring, dived, and after frantic efforts, brought his ccmpjnion to the surface. He .then secured a floating paddle, and with il towed' Reihana to the muddy shallows and on toward the bank,, until both men collapsed. The cries of the men attracted the attention of a car load of Maoris who were passing, and the (wo men were taken to dry land in a completely exhausted condition.