THE RAKAIA TRAGEDY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 129, 27 November 1909, Page 9

THE RAKAIA TRAGEDY.

[BY TELEGRAPH — PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, 26th November. In connection with tho fatality at the mouth of tho Rakaia on Tuesday evening, it has been represented by Messrs. Rountree and Baxter, relatives of tho victims, that quite a wrong impression exists in the minds of a number of people regarding tho conduct of James Baxter, the young man who was a survivor of the Occident. The facts are that young Baxter, who is a cripple, saw that tho only chance of stopping the boat was to get out and pull it into the bank, which was only Ihreo feet away, and he attempted to do so. His mother called out to him "Jump, Jimmy," and at the same time Hannah tried to pass out the painter, but was unable to do so. According to Mr. Rountree, had not young Baxter been crippled with his pa.ralysis ho could have held the boat into the bank in spite of the current, but as it was he could do nothing, and had difficulty in getting out of tho river himself. There was no question, as has been suggested, that young Baxter was merely trying to save himself. On the contrary, ho was the coolest and most collected member of tho party, and in spjte of his physical infirmity seized the only possiblo chance to avoid a tragedy. -„t fc l\ reported from Southbridge that Miss Hampton's body has been recovered. A woman's hat has boon found live miles on tho south side of the river.

the Church of the Seven Rules of Jehovah recently erected by the Natives on the East Coast was iormally opened on Sunday last, a local journal reports. There were over 200 pcitons present at the service, which was performed in a most impressive manner bj r the Hon. A T. Ngata. Several prominent natives were present from all parts and great interest was manifested in the proceedings.