OBITUARY
A SAD BOATING ACCIDENT.
A most melancholy boating accident occurred at the Thames on this day last week, whereby no less than four lives were lost. It appears that about noon on the day in question, Messrs W. Rea, sen., W. Rea, jun, A. S. Colquhoun, and John James started on a duck shooting expedition to the Piako swamps. The party set out from the beach in an open boat during a very severe north-westerly gale, and soon sailed out of sight. The boat was not seen to capsize, but late in the afternoon steamers reported having observed wreckage at the mouth of the Thames River. The boat was found on Monday morning in mid-channel bottom upwards. Unceasing efforts have been put forth by many willing hands since the occurrence, to recover the bodies. But so far only one body has been found, viz., that of Mr Colquhoun, which was found on Tuesday last, nearly a mile distant from where the accident occurred. The greatest sympathy is felt for those thus suddenly bereaved of those so dear and dear to them, and the sad occurrence has cast quite a gloom over the Thames. Mr Colquhoun has been head master of the Waiotahi, and latterly of the Tararu schools, was 26 years of age, and leaves a wife and three children to mourn his loss. Mr Ren, sen., was a miner, and leaves a wife and six children. Mr Rea, jun., was 17 years of age, and pupil teacher at the Waiotahi School. Mr James was about 45 years of age, was also a miner, and leaves a wife and four young children.
Source: Te Aroha News, 16 May 1885 Page 7
THE FATAL BOATING ACCIDENT.
MR JAMES' BODY FOUND.
The suspense which has been endured by the relatives of the late Mr John James, one of the victims of the sad boating affair which happened recently in the Thames Harbour, was relieved on Saturday by the recovery of deceased's body. Shortly after the s.s. Kotuku left the Goods Wharf for Auckland on Saturday morning, the vessel was observed to deviate considerably from her proper course, and the sounding of her fog-horn soon denoted that something unusual had happened. Constables Dunn and Sheahon, with Messrs Clark and Simpson, were at the time preparing to set out on a searching expedition, but a boat manned by Messrs McClair, Lomas, and Irvine also put off from the wharf, and were the first to reach the steamer's side. The Kotuku then lay nearly opposite Tararu, and by her side was floating the body of the unfortunate man. It was immediately taken on board the small boat for conveyance to the wharf. As the party pulled ashore, the boat containing Constables Dunn and Sheahon approached, and the took possession of the remains, which were conveyed to the All Nations Hotel to await the necessary formal inquiry. The hands of deceased's watch pointed to 1½ minutes past 12 o'clock as the time of day at which the accident occurred.
Source: Thames Advertiser , 18 May 1885 Page 3
Chris Korte's New Zealand Genealogy Project
1841 - 1885 (44 years)
Has no ancestors and no descendants in this family tree.
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