PUNT TRAGEDY

Grey River Argus, 14 June 1935, Page 5

PUNT TRAGEDY

Maori Victims ON NORTH AUCKLAND RIVER. DARGAVILLE, -lune 13. A drowning accident whereby four Maoris lost their lives, took place in the Whakapirau River last mghL about si?: o’clock. Details arc meagre., but so tar a> can be ascertained, the victims were two voting’ women, and two \ oung 1 The women- Edwards, and Waipouri, Jimmy Anderson and Frank Manuka wore crossing the river in a rowing boat. It was dark at the time, and a verv high wind was blowing. '1 he

water was very rough,, and the boat capsized. The occupants were thrown into the water, and drowned.

The girl Edwards-, was a sister of the two victims of a drowning acci dent in the Northern Wairoa River in April. A constable from Ruawai proceeded to the scene of the accident last night c.nd has not yet returned with further details. Further details show the names of the drowned as:— FRANK MANAKAU. 39. widower, with four children. JIMMY ANDERSON 25. married two children. TILLIE EDWARDS, 16. MARY WATPOURT, 20. They were members of a poi'ty of seven, in a small punt which was’ overloaded. They were returning from a Native Land Court meeting at Arapoa Settlement over the Arapoa River, when a squall capsized the craft in the darkness. Kuhn Manakau, a member of the party made brave efforts to save members o.f the party, but in the general confusion, the four victims were washed away. The bodies* of two men were recovt icd by the police.