GEORGE TAIAROA DROWNED. IN THE STEAMER BASIN.

Evening Star, Issue 14963, 24 August 1912, Page 6

GEORGE TAIAROA DROWNED.

IN THE STEAMER BASIN.

George Taiaroa (otherwise Hori Kerei), the chief of the Maoris at the Heads, was drowned in the steamer basin at 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon, within sight of two rescue parties that were pulling to his assistance. The unfortunate man came to Dunedin yesterday in his launch to obtain chaff, and had just started on the return journey when the. mishap occurred which brought about his death. Adolph Booth, a Harbor Board employee, saw the little boat push out from the Jetty street wharf, and watched Taiaroa go forward to adjust the sail. The passage alone the gunwale was very much obstructed by the bags of chaff, and, to his horror, Booth saw the Maori suddenly slip and topple over into the water. Booth launched a boat as quickly as possible, and almost at the same time another boat was launched by some dredge hands and a waterman named Madigan. But assistance was too late. Impeded by his heavy thigh boots. Taiaroa sank suddenly after a short struggle, and no more was seen of him. The launch ran on unguided, and finally came to against the Rattray street wharf. Dragging operations were pursued fruitlessly last night, but at 8 this morning Sergeant Henry and Constables Johnson and M'Culloeh recovered the body, and conveyed it to the Morgue. It was found in. deep water about 20ft outside the last pile of the dismantled tongue wharf. The dead man was 48 years old, and leaves a widow and 12 children. His eldest son is 20 years old, and lives at Henley. The sad news was telegraphed to the deceased's mother, Mrs T. K. Taiaroa, and she will come down from Canterbury for the funeral. It will be remembered that a brother was drowned off the Kaik jetty five years ago. 'The inquest was held at the Morgue this afternoon before the coroner, Mr C. ('. Graham. Sydney Waller Lodge (Shipping clerk) said that he saw deceased leave the wharf in (ho launch, and by himself. He appeared to discover that his mainsail was loose, and went forward to make it- fast. The boat ws? then in the centre, of the basin, and past the only pile left of the tongue wharf. The wind took charge of the launch's jib, which veered her toward* the Rattray street wharf. Taiaroa. seemed to notice this, and was apparently going aft to adjust his course, when he either (slipped overboard or was knocked over by a. bag of chaff. The launch went on into the wharf. Witness gave the alarm at once, and paw him above the water for nearly five minutes. He seemed to be trying to extricate himself from his clothes. Boats put out from al! quarters —four boat* in all. The inquiry was proceeding at 3 o'clock. The verdict should be found in the .Stop Press column.