MAROONED ON BEACH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19177, 17 November 1925, Page 11

MAROONED ON BEACH.

WOMAN AND HER CHILD.

TRYING NIGHT EXPERIENCE. OPOTIKI BAR MISADVENTURE. [BY TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPONDENT.] OPOTIKI. Monday. An unpleasant experience befel M>s. Walker, wife of Captain Walker, of the launch Waihou. It is Mrs. WaJker's cusi.om when the launch is expected back late at night to row down to the Opotiki bar in a dinghy in order to light two beacons used to enable her husband to get his bearings when approaching the entrance to the river.

Expecting the Waihou to return on Saturday night from White Island, Mrs. Walker, accompanied by one of her little boys, manned the dinghy and proceeded to the spot where the beacons are situated. She tied the bo it to a stick on the beach and commenced her work, but found that the wick of one lamp had to bo renewed. This took longer than she expected and on completing her work Mrs. Walker found that the tide had taken the boat awav.

Much concerned, she lit a fire and by various methods of signalling tried to attract the attention of Mr. S. Neal, who lives on the opposite side of the river. She failed to do so. She also tried to make Mr. Lord hear, but also without success. Her only hope of rescue that night seemed that the Waihou would return and that the signal fire would attract attention.

However, hour after hour went by.. The night became very dark and cloudy, and rain began to fall, adding to the discomfort of the marooned pair. Mrs. Walker's mother, Mrs. Angove, was also spending an anxious time, wondering why her daughter did not return. Late at night she communicated with Mrs. Graham's family. Mr. Colin Clark happened to be passing and offered to get help to go and investigate. He roused Mr. Victor Lee. and the two went down the river in a flat-bottomed boat at about 11 o'clock. They found Mrs. Walker with the little boy, who had fallen asleep. After much trouble the missing boat was discovered high and dry, and hard pushing and pulling was necessary to get it to the water's edge.. Home was reached about 1 a.m.