James Smith, (1864-8/12/1929). "wearing long waders"

ANGLER DROWNED.

WELL-KNOWN FARMER. 

DUNEDIN, Monday. 

A well-known farmer. Mr. James Smith, of Barn ego, near Balclutha, was drowned while trout fishing in the Pomahaka Stream yesterday. He was with a party of anglers at first, but became separated from his companions, and when he did not arrive at the appointed meeting place in the evening fears were entertained for his safety. Search parties were organised and this afternoon the missing man's rod and line were found. Dragging operations were commenced, and his body was later recovered in about 20ft of water.  -Auckland Star, 10/12/1929.

BARNEGO FARMER DROWNED.

BODY LATER RECOVERED. 

TRAGIC END TO FISHING EXPEDITION. 

BALCLUTHA, December 9. 

Mr James Smith, a well-known farmer, of Barnego, near Balclutha, was drowned in the Pomahaka River yesterday afternoon. The body was found about 4.45 p.m. yesterday in about 28 feet of water, four miles from the mouth of the Pomahaka River, where it joins the Molyneux. The deceased’s fishing rod was found in the Pomahaka River about 12.30 p.m. When the body was recovered it was found that the deceased’s watch had stopped at 4.7 p.m. 

Mr Smith left with a party for the Pomahaka River yesterday morning on a trout fishing expedition, and failed to return to the rendezvous fixed for the evening, and the remainder of the party was forced to return to Balclutha without him. The motor car in which the trip was made belonged to Mr Smith, and the others delayed their departure from the river bank until after dark, and it was long after midnight before they reached home. A search party left about 3 a.m., and another later, the latter taking the precaution to tow a boat on a trailer behind the car. 

Mr Smith was 65 years of age, and was one of the original settlers on the Barnego estate when it was subdivided by the Government some 30 years ago. He was well known as a keen angler and sportsman, and for some years had devoted most of his leisure time to fishing and shooting. He was a first class swimmer. 

Mr Wilkinson, a member of the fishing party, states that he was fishing up-stream with Mr Smith in the vicinity of the lower Clydevale bridge. They separated at an island. Mr Wilkinson went further up stream than his companion, and, returning some time later, did not see Mr Smith, but thought he had gone back to the camp. Mr Smith was last seen at the island about 4 p.m. by Mr J. McKenzie, a Clydevale resident. Mr Smith was a widower, and leaves a family of four sons and two daughters. 

INQUEST AT BALCLUTHA. 

VERDICT OF ACCIDENTAL DROWNING. 

BALCLUTHA, December 10. 

An inquiry touching the cause of death of James Smith, aged 65, a well-known Barnego settler, who was drowned while fishing in the Pomahaka River on Sunday, was held at the courthouse, Balclutha, on Tuesday, before Mr G. W. Wood, J.P.. acting-coroner, and a jury consisting of Messrs C. J. Wood (foreman), Alexander Rattray, Thomas Bell, and James Wright. 

After lengthy evidence had been given, the acting-coroner said he was quite satisfied that it had been a purely accidental occurrence. He considered the fact that the deceased was wearing long waders had a lot to do with his death. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death by drowning, and the foreman expressed sympathy with the relatives, as did the acting-coroner.  -Otago Witness, 17/12/1929.

Balclutha Cemetery.

Elsie Myrtle Smith, (1896-8/2/1920). "turned to wave"

DEATHS

SMITH. — On February 8, 1920, at Balclutha, as result of an accident, Elsie Myrtle, dearly beloved eldest daughter of James and the late Emma Smith, Barnego; Balclutha; aged 23 years. Deeply mourned. — The Funeral will leave the residence of Mr James Smith, Barnego, on Wednesday, 11th inst., at 2 p.m., for the Balclutha Cemetery. —  G. and D. Middlemass, undertakers, Balclutha.  -Evening Star, 9/2/1920.

INQUEST.

MOTOR ACCIDENT. 

An inquest concerning the death of Elsie Myrtle Smith, who met her death as the result of a fall from a motor car on Saturday night, was heard at her father's residence, Barnego, on Tuesday forenoon before Mr G. W. Woods, acting-coroner, and a jury of four comprising Messrs W. Stewart, S. H. James, John H. Hunter, and J. Edwards. Constable W. H. Almond conducted the inquest on behalf of the police, and Mr Hunter was chosen foreman of the jury. 

James Smith, father of the deceased, tanner, Barnego, said he remembered leaving Balclutha about 11p.m. on Saturday in his motor car. He was accompanied by his two daughters and John Adams Cunningham and Colin Davey. He was alone in the front and the four were in the back seat. After arriving at the north end of the traffic bridge he stopped and let Colin Davey out of the car. He just stopped long enough to let Davey out, about a minute. He then proceeded in the direction of his home, and started the ear on the down grade, and had gone about 30 yards when his daughter Molly said "Myrtle is out," and he at once stopped the car, jumped out and ran back to where his daughter was lying. He found she was unconscious and lying in a heap. He could not say how she fell out of the car. She was in the habit of stepping over the front seat and sitting beside him, and it is possible she may have been going to do so on Saturday. The door of the car does not always close well, and at times a person may think it was closed when it was not fastened. He was first out of the car and the door was open when he ran back to where his daughter was lying. Deceased always enjoyed good health. He sent for the doctor, and the doctor saw the body before it was removed. The doctor ordered her removal home.

Colin Davey, labourer, North Balclutha, said he remembered that on Saturday night he left Balclutha about 11 p.m. in Mr James Smith's motor car. He was in the back seat with deceased, her sister Molly, and John Cunningham. At the north side of the bridge the car stopped, and he got out and proceeded towards his home in North Balclutha. He looked round when he heard the car stop again. He heard someone running towards him, and he ran to meet him. He found deceased lying on the road with her father holding her. She spoke, and asked to be laid down. He did not see anything of the accident. From where the car stopped to let him out to where the deceased was lying would be about 10 or 15 yards. Previously to hearing the car stop he looked round and waved to deceased, who waved to him. The car would be travelling about 10 or 15 miles an hour. A passing rider was sent for the doctor. He had known the deceased for three years and she enjoyed good health.

John Adams Cunningham, farmer, Hillend, gave corroborative evidence. He was seated on the right hand of the back seat, deceased was on the left hand side, and her sister was in the centre. After travelling about 10 yards after Davey got out, deceased stood, up and turned to wave to Davey, and in the next instant she was on the road, having fallen out over the side of the ear. She seemed to be standing on her head the first glimpse here caught of her. Molly Smith cried out to her father that deceased was out, and her father stopped the car at once. They went back and found deceased lying unconscious on the road with her head towards the dairy factory. The catch of the door of the car is not too good. If the bolt catches properly the door remains closed, but the door was easily opened if not fastened. The night was not dark. It was moonlight, but there was a fog. If the door of the car received a good bang the catch would grip, but if not the door was liable to open with the vibration of the car. The car would be going about 15 miles an hour. Deceased did not mention whether she intended getting over to the front seat or not.

Dr A. Stenhouse stated that on Saturday night, shortly after 11 p.m., he received a call from a rider, and within a few minutes afterwards he was on the scene of the accident towards the dairy factory. He found the deceased unconscious on the ground, vomiting, in a state of deep concussion of the brain. He supervised her removal to her father's house, and stayed by her till nearly 2 a.m. next morning. She was still unconscious, but mumbled one or two words of protest in an automatic, reflex manner, while they were undressing her. He saw her again later on Sunday morning in conjunction with Dr Brown, and they decided there was evidence of increasing pressure within the skull from bleeding, and performed an operation. There was very slight improvement for a short time thereafter, but deceased became worse, and when seen at 10 p.m. the same day was moribund. He returned about midnight and found the girl dead. On Saturday night when he examined the deceased there was a vague red mark on the upper back part of the head, which might have been a bruise. The cause of death, in his opinion, was concussion of the brain with haemorrhage, the portion of the brain affected being the deeper or basal part.

The jury returned a verdict that the deceased met her death by falling from a car and thereby sustaining concussion of the brain.  -Clutha Leader, 13/2/1920.

Balclutha Cemetery.

Samuel Houliston, (1849-10/7/1875). "sad peculiarities"

Since our last issue two deaths have occurred which have thrown into grief a large circle of friends and acquaintences in this district. We refer to William Henderson and Samuel Houliston. Both were young men in the prime of life, of most genial and obliging dispositions, and their conduct commanded the genuine respect of everyone by whom they were acquainted. There were sad peculiarities regarding the death of both. As to Mr Henderson, the very unsatisfactory particulars will be found in the report of the inquest on the body, held at Invercargill on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday last. As to Mr Houliston, it appears that while he was engaged thrashing about six weeks ago a part of a barley beard had got in his windpipe, and which, though causing considerable uneasiness, was taken little notice of, Mr Houlihan continuing at his usual work until about a week previous to his death, which took place on Saturday last. The irritation, however, produced inflammation of the laryngitis from which he suffered extreme agony. Both the deceased were members of the local Lodge of Oddfellows, and the members of the Lodge marched in procession at both funerals. Not withstanding the bitterly cold and wet weather these were very numerously attended. We were pleased to notice, that at Mr Houliston's funeral on Monday, a regular procession was formed, both footmen and horsemen marching two abreast. A very little attention on the part of the undertaker or other person in charge would secure this course being regularly adopted, and which is far more seemly than the irregular straggling crowd so often seen at funerals.  -Clutha Leader, 15/7/1875.

Balclutha Cemetery.

Robert Duncan O'Hara, (1906-20/7/1927). "lying on the sea beach"

OTAGO YOUTH DROWNED. 

DTJNEDIN, This day. 

Robert Duncan O'Hara. aged 20, was accidentally drowned in the Molyneaux River at Paretai. The body has not been recovered.  -Ashburton Guardian, 21/7/1927.

Particulars concerning the drowning of the young man Robert Duncan O’Hara in the Molyneux River at Paretai show that the deceased was one of a gang of four men engaged in constructing a groyne in the river near Mr Wm. Sutherland’s place, a few miles on the Balclutha side of the South Molyneux punt. The deceased had gone out to the end of the groyne (which extended for some considerable distance into the river), when Mr A. McFarlane, the contractor, and the other men heard a splash, and looking round saw O’Hara in the water. He came up once, and that was the last seen of him. The deceased was a son of Mr and Mrs John O’Hara, old settlers at Finegand.  -Evening Star, 22/7/1927.

PARETAI DROWNING FATALITY. 

(From Our Own Correspondent.) 

BALCLUTHA, July 25. 

So far no trace has been found of the body of the young man Robert Duncan O’Hara, who was drowned in the Molyneux at Paretai on Wednesday afternoon last. Dragging was at first resorted to in likely places, where the current might have carried the body, but now a is to be kept when it is considered likely that the body will come to the surface. Instances are being recalled where it has been weeks and even months before the remains of persons drowned in the big river have been recovered. In one instance two years actually elapsed, and then the remains with clothing sufficient for purposes of identification, were found lying on the strand on the Inchclutha side of the river near the mouth.  -Otago Daily Times, 26/7/1927.

Mr D. Ewart, Paretai, one of the men working with the young man named Robert Duncan O’Hara when the latter was drowned by falling off a groyne on July 20, writes to say that the report of the fatality gave the impression that deceased had been very reckless and had lost his life in consequence. Mr D. McFarlane, who was in charge of the job, states that it was by a pure accident when engaged on his work that O’Hara lost his life. The deceased was a good, steady worker.  -Otago Witness, 2/8/1927.

ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS.

BODY RECOVERED. 

The superintendent of police has received word that the body of Robert Duncan O'Hara, who was drowned in the Molyneux River on July 23, was recovered yesterday at Port Molyneux.  -Evening Star, 22/8/1927.

BODY FOUND ON BEACH. 

(From Our Own Correspondent.) 

BALCLUTHA, August 22. 

The body of the young man, Robert Duncan O’Hara, aged 20, who was accidentally drowned off a groyne in course of construction at Pareta on July 20, over four weeks ago, was found yesterday (Sunday) afternoon. The body was discovered by a man named Tom Cunningham, lying on the sea beach between the mouth of the river and Kaka Point — about a mile and a-half from the mouth. An inquest was opened this afternoon at the courthouse, Balclutha, by Mr H. J. Dixon, S.M., coroner for the district. 

John O’Hara, Finegand, father of the deceased, identified the remains as those of his son, whom he last saw alive on the night before the accident, July 19. He was then in his usual good health and spirits. Deceased had never suffered from heart disease, dizziness, or any other trouble. He had been examined for his life insurance over two years ago by a doctor, which was the only occasion that witness could remember a doctor's services being required for deceased in recent years. He had never complained about the work he was engaged on at the groyne being dangerous, nor had he made any complaint at  all.

That was all the evidence taken, and the coroner adjourned the inquiry until next week, on a day to be fixed.  -Otago Daily Times, 23/8/1927.

SOUTH OTAGO.

PARETAI DROWNING FATALITY. 

THE INQUEST CONCLUDED. 

(From Our Own Correspondent.) 

BALCLUTHA, September 2. 

The adjourned inquiry into the death of the young man, Robert Duncan O Hara, who was drowned by falling from a groyne at Paretai on July 20, was held before Mr H. J. Dixon, S.M., coroner for the district, in the Balclutha Courthouse to-day. Mr Bremner represented the relatives of the deceased, and Mr O. J. Cook (Dunedin), instructed by Messrs Irwin and Irwin, appeared on behalf of the General Accident Insurance Company. Constable Pearce conducted the inquiry on behalf of the police. 

The first witness called was Andrew McFarlane, carpenter, of North Balclutha, who stated that on July 20 he was acting as foreman for the Otanomomo River and Drainage Board in the work of constructing a groyne at Paretai, which was intended to be a protection for the bank of the River Molyneux at that place. The deceased, Robert Duncan O’Hara, was employed there, and on the date in question they were on the groyne and engaged shifting a derrick to the last pile when the accident happened. All the men on the job — namely, deceased, Duncan McFarlane, Donald Ewart, and witness — were engaged in the work at the time, using crowbars. Deceased was on the extreme outside. He fell a distance of 7ft or 8ft. Witness saw him strike the water, and did not think he struck any projection in his descent. He saw him rise to the surface of the water a little distance down stream below the groyne. At the time there was a very strong current running. Witness and his son (Duncan McFarlane) ran to get the boat, which was tied to the pile nearest the bank. Ewart, in the meantime, got a stick with a drag on it, and went along the river bank to see what be could done to assist deceased. But deceased had disappeared before they got the boat launched. Witness’s son embarked in the boat. When it was certain that O’Hara had been drowned witness sent word to the police at Balclutha. 

To Mr Bremner: No lifebuoy was kept on the job, and if there had been one it would have been of no more use than the boat in such an emergency, as the buoy would have to be kept on shore. The boat would be 27ft from the place where the accident occurred — in other words, the length of the groyne away. O Hara was levering with a crowbar when he apparentlv lost his balance. 

To the Coroner: The boat was afloat. The water was fairly deep, being 13ft at the last pile at low water, and the tide made a difference of 3ft. He heard O'Hara call out when in the water, but could not tell what he said. The crowbar went with him when he fell into the water. He had said that he could swim, but witness had never seen him swimming. To have hung a lifebuoy on the derrick would have been very inconvenient. When deceased came up he stayed at the surface for a very short space, and merely splashed with his hands, and did not appear to make any effort to swim.

To Mr Cook: The planks on which deceased stood were dry that morning. 

To Mr Bremner: The width of the planks would be 19in, formed of two planks joined together. 

To the Coroner: Witness did not engage deceased for the work. He had been engaged by Mr W. Sutherland on behalf of the Otanomomo River Board. It was not a contract job. Deceased had gained experience of that class of work while on the job, having assisted driving 27 piles during the five weeks he was there.

Donald Morrison Ewart, farmer, Paretai, in his evidence stated that he was on the same side of the derrick as deceased, but nearer the shore. He saw deceased hit the water, but did not observe him before that. He came up once and cried out “Help, help!” twice, and then disappeared, going with the current. Witness took a stick, 15ft or 16ft long, with six prongs on the end, used for cleaning ditches, and went along the bank in the hope that O’Hara might come to the surface again. Witness saw deceased’s hat near the willows growing on the bank of the river, and that made him take the stick. The McFarlanes went for the boat, which was launched, and there was no delay in trying to rescue deceased. Deceased had told witness that he could swim; in fact, that he was a good swimmer. 

The Coroner: Was there anything to prevent the boat being tied to the end of the groyne in place of being at the shore end? — There was too much current. 

Witness, in answer to further questions by the coroner, said that very little time elapsed before the boat was launched. A rope ladder might have been useful for reaching the boat, if the latter had been tide to the outermost pile, but there was no rope ladder. The distance from where deceased fell to the shore was 27ft, but his hat seemed much nearer when witness saw it in the water. 

Duncan McFarlane, employed on the groyne, corroborated the evidence of the previous witnesses as to what happened on the groyne, and added that he heard the deceased gasp as if he had lost his balance, and looking round, saw him falling into the water sideways, his right shoulder striking the water first. He came to the surface 15ft or 20ft away, and called out twice. Witness went for the boat, but by the time it was launched there was no sign of deceased. The current was running very swiftly, the tide being on the ebb. When he saw deceased in the water his hands were in front of his face, and he was splashing. There were willow branches jutting out into the river only a few yards from deceased, and if the latter could have swum at all he could have reached them. All that could be done with the appliances available was done promptly. A rope ladder would not have been of much use, in witness's opinion, and a lifebuoy would have been in the way. 

Arthur Douglas Pearce, police constable stationed at Balclutha, said that, on August 21, from information received, he went to Port Molyneux and found the body of deceased lying on the beach a quarter of a mile from the mouth of the Molyneux River, and four miles from the scene of the accident. The general appearance of the body was compatible with death by drowning. It was not possible to see if there were any bruises on it. 

The Coroner, in delivering his verdict, said there was no direct evidence as to how the deceased actually fed into the water, but probably he slipped. It was evident, that even if there had been a lifebouy available, it could not have been thrown in in time to save deceased. The verdict would be one of accidental drowning.  -Otago Daily Times, 3/9/1927.

Balclutha Cemetery.

9/992a Private Robert Ford Burgess Irving, MM, (15/4/1894-1/10/1939). "injury was so slight"

On June 9 a pretty wedding was celebrated at Coalburn, Stirling, the contracting parties being Miss Annie McPherson and Private Robert Irving (M.M.), both of Stirling. The bride, who looked charming in a dress of white silk, ornamented with pearl sequins, wore the customary veil and orange blossoms, and carried an aster and asparagus fern bouquet, and was given away by her uncle, Mr D. Milne. The cridesmaid, Miss Ulrica Lemon of Christchurch, wore a dainty frock of white-crepe de chine, with overdress of Irish shadow lace and pale blue aeroplane hat. Mr John Mcpherson, brother of the bride, acted as best man, and after the marriage ceremony, performed by Rev. J. Alexander, the guests were entertained at breakfast, when the usual toasts were suitably responded to, and afterwards a very enjoyable evening was spent.  -Clutha Leader, 15/6/1920.

SOUTH OTAGO

BALCLUTHA 

Death from Blood Poisoning 

The adjourned inquest on Robert Ford Burgess Irving, aged 42, was continued yesterday before Mr A. E. Russell, district coroner. Mr J. T Walter represented the relatives of the deceased and Mr A. J. Hight the Railways Department. Constable Boyle conducted the inquiry on behalf of the police. 

Annie Irving, widow of deceased, said her husband had been an acting ganger of railway surfacemen, and lived at Stirling. On September 18 he suffered a scratched hand while at work. He did not complain to her, but she noticed on the Monday morning following that he had a bad left hand. He bathed his hand with hot water before leaving for work that morning, but he came home at 12. He did not eat much and lay down on his bed before going back to work. He came home at 4 and went to bed, and complained of lack of power in his hand. Although he was a returned soldier and had been wounded in the war, he was usually in the best of health. — To Mr Walter: On the Monday (September 25) the swelling from the hand extended up the arm. Witness treated the hand and arm with hot water, and then put Epsom salts in the water she used. The mark on the back of the left hand was small in appearance. Next morning she rang Dr Frengley, of Balclutha, but he could not get out to Stirling till 5 p.m. The doctor prescribed treatment, but the patient grew worse and was removed to hospital on the Friday. 

James Sidney Gregory, railway surfaceman, Lovell’s Flat, said he had been working with the deceased on September 18 in the Stirling railway yard, and when putting a steel rail into a point the deceased scratched the back of his left hand. The deceased was trying to work a bed plate under the rail at the time, when his hand slipped. The injury was so slight that no notice was taken of it. It hardly bled at all. The deceased continued working that week and made no mention of the injured hand until September 25 (a Monday), when he said the hand was sore and he had a lump under the arm. He continued at work till 4 p.m., however, and when witness next saw him It was on September 27, when he was in bed and very ill. — To Mr Walter: Prior to the accident the deceased enjoyed good health. The rail on which he scratched his hand had a sharp, ragged edge. — To Mr Hight: It had not been reported to the inspector of permanent way on form 92A. as prescribed. 

Dr D. M. Frengley, Balclutha, in the course of his evidence, said that deceased did not respond to treatment at his home, and on the Friday, September 29, he had him removed to hospital, where he died on the morning of October 1. Witness conducted a post-mortem that evening and found that death was due to toxaemia, or blood poisoning, and there was slight pneumonia arising from the infection. The swelling of the hand and arm was due to inflammation caused by the infection. He did not think the deceased was in danger when he saw him in hospital on the Saturday, but the pneumonia developed rapidly and there were signs also of jaundice. His war wound had no effect on his condition.

The coroner returned a verdict of death from blood poisoning following the effects of an abrasion to the left hand.  -Otago Daily Times, 13/10/1939.

Balclutha Cemetery.

James Davis Taylor, (1902-27/2/1931). "cause the fat to erupt"

FATALITY AT FINEGAND. 

(From Our Own Correspondent.) 

BALCLUTHA, February 27. 

James D. (“Tim”) Taylor, a young married man, with two of a family, 29 years of age, belonging to Stirling, met with an accident at the Finegand freezing works yesterday a little after 5 p.m., that terminated fatally at 1.20 this morning. Taylor was employed in the digester room, where there is a number of huge vats used for melting animal fat. These are heated by steam, and Taylor was removing the lid of one of the vats when it blew up and he was badly scalded by a stream of hot fat and water that caught him on the bare chest, and also struck his body and arms. The pressure of steam was not on, but the explosion nevertheless sent the lid of the vat against Taylor with force sufficient to knock him down, and a stream of boiling fat hurtled out through a window into the yard below. The injured man was in great agony until an anaesthetic was administered after the arrival of Dr Macfarlane, of Balclutha, who was on the spot very shortly after being summoned by the management. The sufferer was conveyed to Balclutha Hospital within a very short time after the accident, but although everything was done to alleviate his sufferings the shock he had suffered was too great, and he passed away as stated. An inquest will be held.  -Otago Daily Times, 28/2/1931.

BALCLUTHA, February 28. 

An inquiry touching the death of James D. Taylor, as the result of severe scalding through the explosion of steam in a digester vat at the Finegand Freezing Works on Thursday afternoon, was opened by Mr H. J. Dixon, S.M., coroner for the district, at the Balclutha Courthouse last evening. Sergeant Armstrong intimated that he was not prepared to go on with the inquest at this stage, and would merely call one witness for identification purposes. — P. L, Nicolson, manager of the freezing works, gave formal evidence of identification, and added that Taylor had been employed at the works this year for about four weeks. — The coroner thereupon adjourned the inquiry to a date to be fixed later.  -Otago Witness, 3/3/1931.

FINEGAND FATALITY

INQUEST CONCLUDED

[FROM OUR CORRESPONDANT.] 

The adjourned inquest into the death of James D. Taylor, who died on February 27, as the result of an accident at the South Otago Freezing Works, was held in the Balclutha Courthouse yesterday before Mr H. J. Dickson, S.M. Mr J. G. Kelly appeared for the South Otago Freezing Company, and Mr H. S. Bremner for the deceased’s relatives. 

Henry Stowell, foreman in charge of the tallow department of the freezing works, stated that on February 26 the deceased had taken charge of the digesters at a few minutes before 5 p.m. At about 4.45 witness had made his usual inspection of the digester room, and everything was all right. Digester number six, where the accident occurred, was cooling down. The temperature would be about 200 deg, not quite boiling, but quite sufficiently hot to give a severe scald. The lid of the digester weighed between two and three hundredweight, and was held in position by eight one and a-half inch bolts. There would be no danger in lifting the lid of the digester if the steam had not been turned on for some time, but if the steam had been turned on and the lid was lifted the inrush of cold air might cause the fat to erupt more or less violently. If any fat was discovered to be left over after the digester was closed the instructions were to leave it out. When opening the digester it was safest to stand at the side, so that if any outrush of fat occurred the likelihood of being struck was reduced to a minimum. It was his opinion that deceased must have jerked the lid of the digester, and that an outburst of the hot material had occurred.

Alex. A. MacFarlane gave medical evidence as to having been called to attend the deceased on February 26. The deceased was suffering from burns over about nine-tenths of his body. Deceased had been moved to the South Otago Hospital, and had died there at about 2 a.m. the next morning, the cause of death being shock caused by scalds.

John McKenzie, an employee in the tallow department, gave evidence that on February 26 the deceased had relieved him about 5 p.m. The lid was on No. 6 digester, and deceased screwed up the bolts with his fingers. They then discovered that some more fat was in the room below, and deceased said it was too much to leave out and he had wheeled the truck into the lift to take the material up into the digester room. Witness had then gone away but returned some minutes later on hearing an unusual noise. He found deceased kneeling in the lift and a man was holding him up. There was some fat lying on the floor. The lid was off the digester and hanging from the crane in the position it usually was when it was removed. He had seen deceased standing in front of the digester when opening the door and had warned him against this. The steam was turned off when he and the deceased went down to see what fat was left below.

L. S. Dawson, inspector of machinery, Dunedin, gave formal evidence of having inspected the digesters and having found them in good order. It would be a good thing to have a notice posted up to the effect that the lid must not be lifted when the digester was heated.

J. A. Galbraith, an employee of the South Otago Freezing Company, gave evidence that after 5 p.m. on the 26th he heard a noise and just after that a scream. He had hurried to the digester room and found the deceased lying on the floor. He was suffering from scalds, and there was fat lying on the floor.

The coroner found that, according to the evidence, the deceased had found that there was some fat left out of the digester, and, although it was dangerous to open the digester so soon after steam had been turned off, he had apparently removed the lid. The fat had then, in some manner, erupted, scalding the deceased. There was no direct evidence to show what caused the fat to burst out. No blame was attachable to anyone. The verdict would be that deceased died of shock caused by scalding.  -Evening Star, 26/3/1931.

Balclutha Cemetery.

George Lattimore, (1857-23/4/1918). "a most retentive memory"

The death of Mr George Lattimore, reported this week, removes one of the old school of trainers of trotters and pacers. The deceased lived in the Balclutha district, and for more than a quarter of a century, in addition to other occupations, was always a keen follower of the sport of trotting. Although getting well up in years, Mr Lattimore was usually represented on Forbury Park, mostly by the trotter, as he did not seem to favour the hoppled horse. It is only a short time since he had that good trotter Massey in his charge. A lot of his racing was done in the Otago and Southland districts, where he was to be seen in the sulky or saddle at most meetings. He was of a somewhat quiet and retiring disposition, but followed the sport very closely, and to his intimate friends he could discuss pedigrees and past performances, showing that he possessed a most retentive memory.  -Colonist, 24/4/1918.

From Balclutha comes word of the death of George Lattimore, the much respected trainer of the trotting horse in the south. Not a great deal is known as to how he met with the accident, which caused his death, but it is presumed that the deceased was pulled out of the saddle by a horse he was leading, and in some way received fatal injuries, and that no one appears to have known anything of it until some time had elapsed, He was a man who could ill be spared from the ranks of trotting men. He had an excellent reputation, and many a good winner came from the little track just outside Balclutha (just off the railway) that travellers so often pointed out, and spoke of as being the "home" of George Lattimore. There are some faces frequenting the tracks that wouldn't be missed in the crowd, but George Lattimore was a welcome patron.  -North Otago Times, 3/5/1918.

Balclutha Cemetery.

Donald Campbell Thomson, (1911-1/2/1932). "loose gravel"

CYCLIST SUCCUMBS TO INJURIES. 

DUNEDIN, This Day. 

Donald Campbell Thomson, aged 20, died at the Balclutha Hospital from injuries to his head sustained through a fall from a motor-cycle on Saturday. He was found lying on Finegand Road. Apparently his cycle skidded in loose gravel.  -Ashburton Guardian, 2/2/1932.

BALCLUTHA DISTRICT NEWS

SOUTH OTAGO

(From Our Own Correspondent.) 

BALCLUTHA, February 2. 

YOUNG MAN’S DEATH.

An inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of the young man, Donald Campbell Thomson, who died yesterday morning as the result of a fall from his motor cycle on the Finegand-Balclutha road shortly after noon on Saturday, was held at the Balclutha Courthouse to-day before Mr W. Kean, J.P., acting as coroner, and a jury comprising Messrs A. H. Smalley (foreman), A. Rattray, J. McDiarmid, and M. B. Kane.

Donald Campbell Thomson, farmer, of Awamangu, said he had identified the body as that of his son Donald Campbell Thomson, aged 20, who had been employed as a butcher at the Finegand freezing works. His son owned a motor cycle, which he kept at the works, where he boarded, but he usually spent the week-end at home. — Dr D. G, Radcliffe said he had seen the deceased at the Balclutha Hospital on Saturday, when his condition indicated that he was suffering from concussion. The following morning the deceased lapsed into unconsciousness, due to cerebral compression. An operation for the control of haemorrhage and the relief of compression was performed that afternoon. After the operation the condition of the deceased showed an improvement for several hours, but he again lapsed into unconsciousness and death took place at 4 a.m. on Monday, the cause being cerebral compression resulting from a fracture of the skull. — William Owen Fergus Hallum, a slaughterman, stated that on Saturday shortly after noon he left the Finegand freezing works for Balclutha in company with the deceased, on motor cycles. They left the works about the same time, but witness was in the lead. When they had gone about a mile along the road witness looked back, and saw the deceased following. Witness did not look back again until entering Balclutha. He was going at about 30 miles an hour, and the deceased would be travelling at about the same speed. The road at the place where the deceased was found was a bit rough, and there were a few “bumps,” but he saw nothing on the road that would throw a cyclist. The deceased was an experienced motor cyclist, and was in perfect health. Witness knew nothing of the accident until after his arrival in Balclutha, where he had waited for the deceased. — David Johnston, also a butcher, stated that he had left the freezing works on a motor cycle at 12.30 p.m. on Saturday. He saw Hallum leaving before him, but did not see the deceased. When about a mile along the road to Balclutha he saw the deceased lying on the road. His motor cycle was in the centre of the road, about half a chain away. Blood was flowing from wounds in the back of his head. Witness stayed with him till the manager of the freezing works came along in a car and took the deceased to the hospital. Witness noticed where the road had been torn up as from the footrest of a cycle which was skidding. There was no other traffic on the road at that time, and the deceased must have had a clear run. In witness’s opinion the machine had bounced on the rough going, and the speed the machine was travelling at caused the deceased to lose control, and the cycle fell over, the deceased being thrown from his seat. — Wilson Elliott, motor garage proprietor, Balclutha, said the deceased’s cycle had been brought to him for examination on Saturday afternoon after the accident. He found that little damage had been done to the machine, the condition of which bore out the supposition that the accident had been caused by a side skid on a rough piece of road, which had lately been in process of widening. Witness was positive that there had not been a head-on collision. The jury returned a verdict that the deceased met his death from injuries received through being accidentally thrown from a motor cycle.   -Otago Daily Times, 3/2/1932.

Balclutha Cemetery.

Daniel Hessey Davey, (1907-23/10/1933). "a shocking fatality"

FATAL SEQUEL TO MOTOR SMASH

DUNEDIN, October 22. 

As the result of injuries received in a motor accident at Stirling on Saturday morning, Mr Daniel Hessey Davey, a single man, aged 26, employed at the Stirling dairy factory, died in the Balclutha Hospital to-day. His parents live at Stirling.  -Ashburton Guardian, 23/10/1933.

FATALITY ON THE STIRLING ROAD 

(From Our Own Correspondent:) 

BALCLUTHA, October 22. 

A shocking fatality occurred on the Stirling road on Saturday at about noon. Daniel Hessey Davey, aged 26 years, a son of Mr William Davey, of Stirling, left the Stirling Dairy Factory, where he was employed as an assistant, at about 11.20 a.m., on his way to Balclutha. He was riding a motor cycle, and when turning off the factory road on to the main Stirling Balclutha road he collided with a motor car driven by Mr R. C. Wilson, agent for Dalgety and Co. at Balclutha, and received injuries which resulted in his death in Balclutha Hospital at 7.20 the same evening. There is a plantation of trees at the corner where the accident occurred which obscures the view when approaching it, and neither motorist nor cyclist saw each other until the collision took place. The car then swerved to the left, struck a green hedge, and turned over on its side. The deceased appeared to be under the car, and the body, had been carried about 25 yards from where the impact took place to the spot where the car struck the fence. Mr Wilson fortunately escaped without much injury. An inquest will be held before Mr H. J. Dixon, S.M., coroner for the district, to-morrow, at the Balclutha courthouse. The deceased, who was a single man, belonged to a well-known Stirling family, and along with his brother had been employed in the Stirling factory for some years. He was a popular member of the Star Football Club, and one of the club’s leading players.  -Otago Daily Times, 23/10/1933.

MOTOR CYCLIST’S DEATH

INQUEST AT BALCLUTHA 

The adjourned inquest into the death of Daniel Hessey Davey, who died as the result of an accident at Stirling on October 21, was resumed at Balclutha yesterday. Mr W. Kean, J.P., was acting-coroner, and there was a jury of four. Mr C. B. Barrowclough represented the Stirling Dairy Factory, Mr A. C. Hanlon represented Mr U. C. Wilson, who was the other party in the accident, and Mr R. R. origor watched proceedings on behalf of the relatives of the deceased. 

Thomas Duncan, manager of the Stirling Dairy Factory, stated that the deceased had been in the company’s employ for the past six years, he saw deceased on the day of the accident and he appeared to be in his usual health. At about 11.10 a.m. he sent him to Balclutha on business to the bank, which closed that day at 11.30. The distance to the town was 2 1/2 miles. The weather was bad, there being a stiff south breeze and snow and sleety showers. The deceased would be facing the wind when going down the Factory road to the main road. The distance from the factory to the main road was six or eight chains. 

Richard Wilson, agent for Dalgety and Co. Ltd at Balclutha, stated that he was returning to Balclutha from Stirling between 11.15 and 11.30 on the day of the accident. He was driving a car along the low road, and when he approached the intersection at the Factory road he was travelling at about 20 m.p.h. He was over the crossing when he noticed a motor cyclist appear from the right side and strike the car. The wheel was knocked from his hand, and the next thing he knew was when he felt himself going over when the car fell on its side. He had sounded his horn. After the collision the car swerved along the hedge on the left and toppled over. He immediately ran to the store nearby and telephoned the police station at Balclutha. He heard no sound from the cyclist, and had been keeping a good look-out. He knew it was a dangerous corner and always kept a look-out.

To Mr Barrowclough, witness stated that he did not know that according to law no intersection should be crossed at a greater speed than 15 m.p.h. A man coming down the Factory road on the right would run the risk of a collision at the corner. 

In answer to Mr Hanlon, witness stated that the car was in good running order and was efficiently braked. He would swear definitely that he was past the intersection of the road when the bicycle struck the side of the car, which was travelling at the time on the correct side of the road. 

David Milne, an employee of the Stirling Dairy Factory, stated that he last saw Davey at 21min or 22min past 11. He was then just leaving for Balclutha on his motor cycle. He watched him for 100yds down the road and he was travelling slowly, as the road was greasy. Very shortly afterwards he heard there had been an accident, and he hastened to the corner. He found the cycle lying on the left-hand side of the Stirling-Balclutha road, and found the deceased lying against the hedge some distance away. The car was about a yard ahead and was tipped up on its side, he saw no skid marks or marks of dragging, although such marks would be easily visible on the road surface. 

Dr D. M. Frengley detailed deceased’s injuries, and gave his opinion that they were caused by the man’s skull coming into violent contact with some surface. Death was due to cerebral laceration and fracture at the base of the skull. 

Constable G. Watkins, of Balclutha, said that the cycle was 36ft away from the car and in the middle of the road. It was in low gear when picked up. In the middle of the road were skid marks almost directly opposite the Balclutha side of the Factory road. There was a deep dent on the rear left wheel of the cycle, and the dumb iron in front of the car showed a severe bump. These dents were both 14in above the ground. 

To Mr Hanlon, witness stated that both the dumb irons on the car were dented and that there was nothing to indicate that the dented parts on the car and the cycle had been in contact. 

To Mr Grigor, witness said that when past the trees on the right-hand side of the road there was a clear view right up to the factory. From the evidence he would say that the car was travelling slowly. 

Constable Boyle, of Balclutha, corroborated the evidence of the former witness. There were marks on the right-hand side of the car, but he could not say how they were caused. The brakes were in good order. The skids were caused by the motor cycle. 

The previous witness, recalled, said that he was not familiar enough with a motor cycle to say whether it was possible for the gear to be shitted by the jar of the collision. 

The jury then retired to examine the car and the cycle. After an absence of half an hour a verdict was given that the deceased met his death as the result of injuries received accidentally in a collision with a motor car while he was riding a motor cycle. No blame was attachable to either party.  -Evening Star, 2/11/1933.

Balclutha Cemetery.

Martha Evelyn Hope, (1877-23/11/1902). "her pleasing manners"

FUNERAL NOTICE. 

The Friends of Mr WILLIAM HOPE are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral of MARTHA EVELYN, which will leave his Residence for the Balclutha Cemetery on TUESDAY, the 26th, at 2 p.m.  

MUIR & BURLEY, Undertakers, Balclutha.  -Otago Daily Times, 24/11/1902.

The Free Press says — “A very sad death occurred at Balclutha early on Sunday morning, when Miss Martha Evelyn Hope, youngest daughter of Mr Wm. Hope, North Balclutha, passed away at the early age of 25 years. The news came as a surprise to many, as the deceased young lady had always presented the appearance of one particularly healthy and robust. She had, however, three weeks previously been compelled to resign her situation as a milliner in Temuka and return home, owing to an illness which developed heart weakness and Bright’s disease, with the fatal result above stated. The deceased was of a bright and sociable disposition, and her untimely demise will be lamented by a wide circle of friends as well as by her sorrowing father and brother and sisters. She was until recently a member of the local Wesleyan Church congregation and choir. Miss Hope was for a short time milliner in Mr J. W. Miles’ establishment, and by her pleasing manners soon became a favourite with those who made her acquaintance. Her untimely death will be much regretted by all who knew her.  -Temuka Leader, 29/11/1902.

Balclutha Cemetery.