THE FATAL BOAT ACCIDENT AT GISBORNE.
Gisbornb, June I.^. The Australia arrived in the bay at 4.30 p.m on Saturday, and a boat put out from the land containing five persons named Glover, Rawiri, Tautau, Rapaina Hautau, and Harry Hautau. They arrived safely at the steamer, and four passengers— Mrs Kirk, Nellie Kirk (aged 9), Ralph (aged 2), and an infant one month old — got into the boat. When near the bar she was seen to founder, throwing the occupants into the water. Glover got safely ashore, followed by Rawiri and Tautau, both exhausted; but Rapaina disappeared. The accident was seen from the beach, and Constable Stagpoole, Joseph James (bootmaker), and Sam Gierman (a Maori) went to the rescue, but while in the act of saving the occupants of the first boat, their own boat was swamped. Gierman got safely ashore; it is supposed that Stagpoole drifted out to sea, and James was supposed to have got out to the Australia, as the steamer threw two rockets and commenced blowing her horn. She remained in tbe bay till morning, hoisting two flags and blowing her horn. After sailing up and down the bay as if anxious to communicate with the land, she steamed North about 8 a.m. It turns out that James was drowned. It is supposed that Stagpoole and the Native Hautau are on the steamer, but there is no certainty" The bar did not appear rough at the time. A search party were out yesterday and the night before, and found five of the bodies. The following are the names of bodies found:— Joseph James (bootmaker), Ralph and Nellie Kirk and the baby, one month old, and Rapaina Hautau. Mr M'Gill arrived this morning to hold an inquest. Later. Mrs Kirk's body has been found. Nothing definite will be known about Constable Stagpoole's safety until the arrival of the Australia at Auckland Auckland, June 13. The Australia, which arrived to-night, has on board Constable Stagpoole and a Native named Harry Hautau, rescued at the boat accident at Tologa Bay, Gisborne.
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Bibliographic details
Otago Witness, Issue 1856, 17 June 1887, Page 16
Word Count
342THE FATAL BOAT ACCIDENT AT GISBORNE. Otago Witness, Issue 1856, 17 June 1887, Page 16
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