Riverside seat honours drowned duo
24 Feb, 2021 09:33 PM
3 minutes to read
Michelle Harron (Gt Grand-daughter of Takiau Kiriona Williams) and Tirimoana Tuarea-Fletcher (Gt Grand-daughter of Kaporangi Raupa Wharemate), unveiling the Memorial Seat. Photo / Supplied
Paul Brooks is editor of Whanganui Midweek, in your letterbox every Wednesdaypaul.brooks@nzme.co.nz
There's a bench along the river bank, recently installed, to remember two men who drowned in the Whanganui River 85 years ago.
The seat was unveiled on Saturday, February 6, with all due ceremony.
Takiau Kiriona Williams and Kaporangi Raupa Wharemate were cousins and close companions. On February 18, 1936, the men left Putiki Marae to go fishing, but their boat was unseaworthy and both drowned. Kaporangi was found a few days later on Castlecliff Beach, but Takiau was lost forever. It was Takiau's 42nd birthday.