THE OIL LAUNCH FATALITY.

Colonist, Volume XLIX, Issue 11964, 18 June 1907, Page 2

THE OIL LAUNCH FATALITY.

ADDITIONAL PABTICULARS. '

In connection with the accident to an oil launoh at Whangarae on Saturday ni.ht, by which three Maoris lost their lives; a "Colonist" reporter yesterday gathered some addi tional particular to those already pub lisbed from a resident of the locality, who stated that there were elevan persona in the boat, whioh was in charge of Ted Morgan, a Maori. The other ocoupaots were Aperabama Tewhetu and his wife, their little son, Mohi, seven years of age, Mrs Renata, an elderly woman (Ted Morgan's wife), Mrs Tui and two children, Rene Tewhetu and Taimoana Pakaka, an elderly man about eighty years of age. As stated in yesterday's issue the party were coming to a sitting of the Native Land Court at Nelson, and when they had proceeded about half a mile a leak was discovered in tne engine. Steps were at once taken to pack the leak, and it was while this was being done that the fire occurred. Whether an explosion took place, or a lantern, which was being held in close proximity to engine while it was being packed, was dropped, it is not quite clear, [but the flames burned fiercely, causing consternation among the Natives. . Rene Tewhetu pluckily endeavored to extinguish the flames with hi? coat, and Ted Morgan, while making his way to render assistance, fell overboard. Mrs Renata, Aperahania Tewhetu, his wife and child, in the excitement, jumped out of the launch, and it was^while endeavoring to save his wife that Aperahama Tewhetu was drowned. Mobi, their little son and Mrs Renata also lost their lives, but tne "others were saved. The oil launicb,was ultimately beached, and the fiie extinguished.. Yesterday morn in, Constables Fitzsimmons and Tonkin went to the Croixelles, accompanied by a number of Maoris, to search for the bodies of the man and the little boy, and to hold an inquest on the body oi Mrs Renata, which was picked up on Sunday morning.