WRECK OF TWO BOATS AT MOKAU.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 4123, 29 August 1882, Page 2

WRECK OF TWO BOATS AT MOKAU.

ONE MAN DROWNED.

[from our waitara correspondent.] A mounted orderly arrived at Waitara at 8 o'clock from the White Cliffs with a letter from Mr. Poole, of Mokau, kindly forwarded by Captain Messenger, in which Mr. Poole states that his vessel, " Enterprise No. 2," had a fair run down to the Mokau, but, on taking the bar, she struck on the north spit and carried away her rudder, and, consequently, became unm na^eable. The heavy sea that was running threw the vessel on to the beach, where the crew landed safely, but nearly the whole of the cargo was lost. On Saturday morning Mr. Poole with a number of natives was on the beach on the look-out for the" second boat, "Leisure Hour." After a little time she was seen about two miles to the northward of the bar, and as the wind was southerly it was impossible for her to fetch the bar. They then made all haste opposite to where the venael was, when they saw that she was irpl.ing for the beach. The sea was breaking for a considerable distance out, and the vessel upon entering the break was immediately capsized. She was afterwards washed up on the beach, and the clothes of the unfortunate man, " Herman Albert Wilke," were found on board. He had evidently stripped and made all preparations for a long swim, but the sea was too heavy for him. Mr. Poole haR left a watch party along the beach to get possession of the body should it be washed ashore, and has sent a letter to the proper authorities to know if he can bury the body without an inquest Bhould the same be found. Great credit is due to Mr. Poole for the energy and promptness shown in this matter; and also to Captain Messenger, who forwarded the news through to Waitara. The unfortunate man was married only some three months since. He was a native of Germany, aged 38 years, and much respected by all who knew him. The Rev. Mr. Brown informed us just previous to our going to press that the body of Wilke had been washed ashore. [We have received fuller particulars from Mokau, but have to hold it over till tomorrow.— ED. T.H.]