Kapiti Observer, 20/2/2013, by Randall Walker
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/kapiti-observer/8328083/Paekakariki-drowning-recalled-100-years-on/
A relative of a man who drowned 100 years ago at Paekakariki
Beach was among the crowd who turned out for Monday's commemoration
of the accident.
About 100 people attended Monday's event to mark the drowning of
Walter Francis Pengelly at Paekakariki Beach.
Following a beach service, a flotilla of surf lifesaving craft
took a wreath out to sea to where the boat Mr Pengelly was on
capsized 100 years ago - to the hour - earlier.
Members of the Paekakariki Surf Lifesaving Club, which organised
the commemoration for the club centenary, were delighted to find a
relative of Mr Pengelly's in the crowd.
Paraparaumu resident Rosie Mackenzie, the grand-niece of Mr
Pengelly, made the trip after reading about the service in
the Kapiti Observer, and showed an old family photo
of a young Mr Pengelly.
"When I contacted mum and told her about the flotilla we hadn't
realised that the formation of the surf club came from that
incident.
"So she was very excited and that's when she got out the old
photo of him in the family group. She kept saying she wished her
mother [Mr Pengelly's sister] was still alive to hear about
it.''
She said her mother, Marie ''Pat'' Clarke who lives in
Silverstream, had always talked about her uncle's drowning when
they drove past Paekakariki.
Mr Pengelly was originally from Christchurch but was based in
Paekakariki while working as a fireman for New Zealand
Railways.
On February 18, 1913, he and two other New Zealand Railways
employees were fishing in a rowboat about a kilometre off shore
when a large swell developed and their boat capsized. Five
colleagues swam out to help, rescuing two of the men, Frank Malcon
and James Guinnane. Mr Pengelly's body was found two days
later.
Mrs Mackenzie said the family believed he was a good swimmer,
but the theory in the inquest was he had hit his head when the boat
capsized.
Mr Guinnane told the coroner's inquest that he thought Mr
Pengelly was struck by a boat, and could not swim.
The coroner ruled the drowing accidental. The findings were
published in the Evening Post, February 22, 1913.
Paekakariki Surf Lifesaving Club treasure John Hook said the
death had a big impact on the small community, made up largely of
NZR workers, and resulted in the community forming a Railway Surf
Lifesaving Club soon after.
It was the 10th surf lifesaving club formed in New Zealand and
the first ''non-metropolitan'' club, he said.
The Royal Humane Society of New Zealand awarded the five
rescuers, John Cross, John Sanderson, Thomas Cairns, James Ashley
and James Glascow, a silver medal for their gallantry.
Monday's commemoration started with a prayer by Karl Farrell of
Ngati Haumia, followed by a description of the boating accident by
Mr Hook.
A wreath and a basket of shells had been placed on the beach
with people able to place a shell in the wreath, before it was
taken out to sea on a surfboat accompanied by surf club members on
IRBs, surf skis and paddle boards.
At the point where the boat was believed to have capsized, club
members raised their paddles and oars and the wreath was placed in
the water.
Mrs Mackenzie said it was a lovely service. ''I loved the way
they had quite a few of the lifesavers in the old original
costumes. I thought it was very nicely done.''
- Kapiti Observer
Oars raised: Surf club members Elyse Robert, Steve
Dickson, Netta Cagney, Amy Spiekerman, raise the oars as club coach
Shane Radovanovich prepares to lower the wreath into the
sea.
Relative: Rosie Mackenzie, the grand-niece of Walter
Pengelly, adds a shell to the wreath.
KAPITI OBSERVER
Beach service: Surf lifesavers, many in special historic
costumes, and the community turn out for the commemoration at
Paekakariki Beach
Inquest: The Evening Post printed the coroner's findings
into the drowning of Walter Francis Pengelly.
