BOAT CAPSIZES

Southland Times, Issue 25311, 14 June 1935, Page 7

BOAT CAPSIZES

FOUR MAORIS DROWNED CAUGHT IN SQUALL TWO BODIES RECOVERED (Per United Press Association.) Dargaville, June 13. A drowning accident whereby four Maoris lost their lives took place in the Whakapirau River last night at about 6 o’clock. Details are meagre, but so far as can be ascertained the victims were two young women and two young men. The women named Edwards and Waipouri, with Jimmy Anderson and Frank Manakau were crossing the river in a rowing boat. It was dark at the time and a very high wind was blowing, the water being very rough. The boat capsized and the occupants were thrown into the water and drowned. The girl Edwards was a sister of the two victims of a drowning accident in the Northern Wairoa River in April. A constable from Ruawai proceeded to the scene of the accident last night, but has not yet returned. Further details show the names of the drowned as: Frank Manakau, aged 39, a widower, with four children. Jimmy Anderson, aged 25, married, with two children. Tillie Edwards, aged 16. Mary Waipouri, aged 20. They were members of a party of seven in a small punt which was overloaded and were returning from a Native Land Court meeting at Axapara to the Karaganui settlement over the Araparoa River, when a squall capsized the craft in the darkness. Kuku Manakau, a member of the party, made brave efforts to save members of the party, but in the general confusion the four victims were washed away. The bodies of the two men have been recovered by the police.