BOATS NO ACCIDENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 58, 23 October 1911, Page 5

BOATS NO ACCIDENT.

SIX PEOPLE DROWNED

(Per Press Association.) Palmerston North, October 22. A terrible boating accident occurred at Tewharangi, a seaside resort at Foxton Heads, this morning. Large numbers of Palmerston North people have cottages there where they stay at week-ends and over the summer. These have motor launches on the river. A party of ladies and children wore going out this morning to Mr. Roberts’ motor hulhcli. There was a sharp breeze. and a jobble, and t.ie dingny was very much overladen, and it capsized and sank before any-’boats could bo launched from the shore. All were drowned. The victims were : Mrs. Percy Roberts, of Palmerston North, and her two sons. Mrs. Groves, wife of Mr. Groves, motor expert, Palmerston, and one child. Mass Fanny O’Sullivan, daughter, of Captain O’Sullivan, Defence storekeeper, Wellington. Miss Arnold, of .Nelson. HOW THE TRAGEDY HAPPENED STRONG FRESH IN THE RIVER. Palmerston, October 23. Further particulars of the boating catastrophe, at Foxton Heads show that the following were drowned:— Agues Isabella Grove, wife of Mr. Eugene Grove, motor expert at Dunk and Pringle’s, aged 34 years; Rex Eugene Grove, six years; John Hardy Groves, three years; Fanny Roberts, wife of Percy Roberts, uniform and regalia manufacturer; ffeslio Roberts, aged 10; Douglas Roberts, aged 8; Florence Arnold, 24, late of El chain; Grace O’Sullivan, aged 22, daughter of Major J. O’Sullivan, Director of Equipment and Stores for Hie Defence Department, Wellington. The party had arranged for a motor launch picnic. 'lhe morning broke windy, and there was a fresh in the river, against which the wind, raised a considerable sea. It was decided that it was too rough for the ladies and children, but the men wont for a criuse -about 11 o’clock. They came back, and it was then decided to take the rest on board. While the launch held off shore in the tideway, with Chris Roberts, eldest son of Percy Roberts, and Cam Turner aboard, Mr. Roberts and Mr Grove proceeded to bring the women and children on board in a small liatbottoraed dinghy. The rowers had three chains to cover to the launch, but did not allow sufficiently for the rush of the tide, consequent on the fresh in the fiver, sweeping towards the heads. Consequently they missed the launch and were swept down with' the tide and out into rougher water. Iu an effort to recover, the boat was swamped and all the occupants were thrown into the water. Not many persons witnessed tho accident, but Messrs. Young and Langley, who saw the heavily laden boat go out, were apprehensive of the danger. They launched another boat, and while pulling out they saw the tragedy occur. They only succeeded in saving Roberts, sear. Meanwhile Messrs. Mounsey and Torsion,son went out iu another boat, and the result was tho ■rescue of Grove. Five bodies—Mrs. Grove, Mrs. Roberts, Miss Arnold, and the two children, Grove—were recovered, hut restorative measures proved futile. Groves and Robers wore both exhausted when recovered. An inquest is being held to-day.