THE BOAT ACCIDENT NEAR MATAKANA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 76, 1 April 1899, Page 2

THE BOAT ACCIDENT NEAR MATAKANA.

A PLUCKY RESCUE.

Further particulars are to band concerning the boat accident at Takatau Point, near Matakana, by which Mr David Jones and his daughter, Laura Jones, a girl aged thirteen years, lost their lives. It appears that on Tuesday afternoon last Mr Jones, accompanied by bis daughter. Laura and his son David (seven years) and an employee named John Day set out in a boat to get a sheep winch Had strayed some distance along the rocks. At the time a strong wind was blowing from the S.E.. When the party were returning and had the boat only some 200 yards from the shoi.'s a huge roller came along and turnt'd the boat completely over. Day, who is a splendid swimmer, succeeded in getting the bojat.over again, and also put the children in the boat again, when three- or four more huge rollers came along and again upset the boat. The sea also became very high. After some-plucky attempts to rescue the children Mr Jones became exhausted and was drowned, and his daughter Laura met a similar fate. Day meanwhile got the boy Robert round his neck and made for the shore, which he reached after a struggle for life of . some three - quarters of an hour. When he got to the rocks he was completely exhausted, but the little boy went to his mother, some three miles distant, and told her- of what had occurred, and in her great anguish she rendered all assistance she "could to Day. A search was made for the bodies by settlers, and that of Mr Jones was found. All that could be seen of Laura was her hat floating about. An. inquest .was held on the body of Mr Jones by Mr G. Cruickshank, Coroner, on Wednesday, Mr J. Bouskill, of Sytnonds-street, a friend of the familybeing foreman of the jury. A verdict of death from accidental drowning was returned, no blame being- attachable to anyone.. The jury awarded hig-h praise, to Day for his plucky rescue of the boy Robert Jones, and it was decided that he should be recommended for a Royal Humane Society's medal. The remains of Mr Jones were interred at Waiknmete cemetery on Thursday, the Rev. A. J. Chapman, of Kingsland, conducting

the service at the grave. Deceased was. formerly in business in Customs, street, and he at one time lived at Surrey Hills.