Maori Drowned At Pakaraka

Northern Advocate, 15 December 1939, Page 2

Maori Drowned At Pakaraka

KAIKOHE, This Day. While fishing for eels on Lake Owhareti, at Pakaraka, on Wednesday evening, a Maori } Miki John Apiata, 20 years, the son of Sam Apiata, of Oromahoe, was drowned when a punt from which he was fishing sank. At a late hour on Thursday night the body had not been recovered. ‘ Deceased left his home at 6.30 p.m. on Wednesday in the company of several other Maoris with the intention of catching eels on the small lake situated on Mr R. Ludbrook’s estate. According to members of the party, Apiata and a companion, Roy Takimoana, 15, decided at 9.30 to take a punt into the centre of the lake, but they were only two chains from the bank when it was discovered that the punt was badly leaking, i . Apiata, who was regarded as a powerful swimmer, told Takimoan.a to “go for it,” and they both took to the water which is about 12 feet deep. Takimoana, when interviewed, said that he was wearing gumboots. but they fell off as he jumped into the water, and he was able to get to the shore. When he stood up he could see no sign of his companion, and a search was immediately commenced. Over 30 people searched throughout Thursday for the body, but the dragging has so far proved fruitless. Apiata’s coat and hat were recovered. He was wearing ordinary bools and not gumboots when the fatality occurred.