THE FOXTON CATASTROPHE

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14819, 24 October 1911, Page 8

THE FOXTON CATASTROPHE

SAD END TO A PICNIC.

DEATH BY MISADVENTURE. [bt TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Palmerston North, Monday.

■ Further particulars of the boating catastrophe at the Boston Heads show that the party had arranged for a motor launch picnic. The morning broke windy, and there was a fresh in the river, against which the wind raised considerable sea. It was decided that the water was too rough for the ladies and children, but v.he men went for a cruise. About 11 a.m. they came backhand it was then decided to" take the rest of the party on board, while the launch held off shore in the tideway with Chris. Robert (eldest son of Mr. Percy Robert) and Cam. Turner aboard. Mr. Robert and Mr. Grove proceeded to bring the women and children on board in a small flat-bottomed dinghy. The rowers had three chains to cover to reach the launch, but did not allow sufficiently for the rush of the tide consequent on the fresh in the river sweeping towards the head 3. They missed the launch, and were swept down with the tide, and out into rougher water. In an effort to recover the leeway made, the boat swamped, and all its occupants were thrown into the water. <

Following is the complete list of those drowned: — Mrs. Agnes Isabella Grove, wife of Mr. Eugene Grove, motor expert, aged 24 years. Bex. Eugene Grove, aged six years. John Hardy Grove, aged three years. Mrs. Fanny Robert, wife of Percy Robert, uniform and regalia manufacturer. Leslie Eobert, aged 10. Douglas Eobert, aged eight. Florence Arnold, aged 24, late of Eltham. Grace O'Sullivan, aged 22, daughter of Major O'Sullivan, director of equipment stores, Defence Department, .Wellington. ..;;: The Inquest. | r An inquest on the five bodies recovered [after the Foxton tragedy on Sunday was held at the Foxton beach yesterday, before Mr. Fraser (Coroner), Sub-Inspector Norwood representing the police, formal evidence was given as to the identification of the bodies.

Evidence was given by George Langley, boardinghouse-keeper. He saw the party set out in an 18ft flat-bottomed boat, to get to the launch, which was at anchor about; 100 yds off. S Two youths, Crispanus Robert and Campbell Turner, were on board the launch waiting for the rest of the party. The oars were small, and the rowlocks too large. There were only a few inches of freeboard, and it was blowing freshly, and with a fresh running out of the river. Robeit was rowing, and the oars slipped from the rowlocks, Grove recovering them. They missed the launch, and were carried towards the heads. One of the ladies became excited at the situation. Grove took Robert's place at the oars, and the water began To come over the side. The ladies leant over to the other side. Robert stood up, and waved his hands for assistance, at the same time crying to the launch for help. Mrs. Robert was also crying for help. The boat then went over. Captain Mounsey, Mr. W. Kirk, and others ashore saw the danger, and ran to launch a boat, Mr. W. Young and witness reaching it first. They put oil before the boat capsized. Messrs. Mounsey and Kirk procured another boat, and broke into the shed lor oars. They also went out. They found Robert insensible on the bottom of the boat, and being unable to get him into their frail craft, they pulled him over to the other* shore, and with difficulty restored him to consciousness. As the 'boat went over Grove seized Miss i Arnold, but was separated from her in the ; rough water, and swam to the launch, being pulled on board and assisting the boys to go to the rescue. Cris. Robert sprang overboard to help bis mother, and reached her, but not being strong was unable to hold her up, and was with difficulty got back to the launch. J Miss Arnold's body was then recovered. Messrs. Mounsey and Kirk meantime recovered the bodies of Mis. Robert, Mrs. Grove, and one of the boys, all floating face downward in the water.

Mr.- Grove is now completely broken down, and his evidence was taken in bed, as was also that of Cris. Robert. Mr. Robert was too ill for his evidence to be taken, and is in a serious condition. The following verdict was returned :— ''That the deceased came to their death by drowning in the Manawatu River on October 22, 1911, accidentally and by misadventure."

The Coroner added a rider to the effect that he was of opinion that more care should be exercised in regulating the number of passengers to be carried in rowing boats. Bodies Recovered. Five of the bodies were brought up from Foxton to-night by road. The funerals of four will take place on Wednesday. The body of Miss Arnold will be sent to Nelson to-morrow. The bodies of Miss Grace O'Sullivan, of Wellington, and Leslie Robert, aged 18, and Douglas Robert, aged eight, have not been recovered. The search is being continued, but they may \bava bftf-u Jsweut to sea.