Boat Accidents.

One day Messrs. A. Hort and Charles Heaphy launched a boat and started from Thorndon to beat up to Lambton Harbour. They were warned by several onlookers that the boat was unfit for service. After proceeding for about 300 yards, the boat was upset and the occuplants were submerged. Mr. Watt and a party launched the former's boat and rescued them.

Shortly after this (25th August, 1840), a fatal accident occurred at Pito-one, when a boat party of twelve persons were within a hundred yards of the beach. The boat was upset, and though they were in less than seven feet of water, only three survived the accident.

These were Mr. Francis Bradey, Mr. Fowler and the steersman. Those page 62

Fig. 25—Te Puni's New Pa (Te Tatau-o-te-po) behind the Pito-one Pa.

Fig.26—A settler's House, Pito-one Flat, near the Korokoro Stream and Mill, and near the scene of the boat accident of 1840. Figs. 25 and 26 are from sketches by William Swainson, Esq., F.R.S.

page 63 drowned were Messrs. J. Pierce; W. Elsdon; R. Hight; Lancaster; Josiah Tucker; Martin, a sailor belonging to the boat and lately of the “Jewess”; Griffin, late steward of the “Cuba; Rogers, a thatcher; and a person known as “Colonial Bill.”

Mr. Allen's boat had arrived at the same time, and passed the surf in safety, on the same day.

Coglan's boat was upset at the end of the beach, nearly two miles from the shore.

Mr. Collett launched his boat successfully and after great excertions, rescued the sufferers, who were insensible at the time.

The boats were all under sail, running before a strong south-east wind, which occasioned a very heavy surf on the beach.

Natives assisted the Europeans in bringing the bodies to the shore. The names of the natives were Ma Hau, Te Wanga, Te Puke, Te Ware, Te Puni of the male sex; the females were Te Tutu, Te Wa and Te Wi¹

A large concourse of people attended the funeral on the 27th, at which the Revs. John Macfarlane and J. G. Butler officiated.²

The Pickwick Club held a meeting to consider the erection of a Tombstone in memory of members Elsdon, Pierce, Lancaster and Hight.

The sad event cast a gloom over the community, and the Council meetings were postponed until October.