Roberta Mary Fotheringham, (1926-14/12/1943). "a beautiful life"

GIRL CYCLIST KILLED

Apparently Struck By Car

A fatal accident occurred on the North road, near the Karitane Hospital, about 11 o’clock last night. The victim, who was cycling towards her home at Makarewa, was: — 

Miss Roberta Fotheringham, aged 17 1/2 years, daughter of Mr Robert Fotheringham, Makarewa. She was employed by the Blue Star Taxis, and was apparently struck by a motor-car when returning form work.

About 11 o’clock Mr F. L. Price, a resident of Waikiwi, heard the crash of the accident, which happened not far from his house. He was the first to arrive on the scene and immediately communicated with the police. 

The girl was found on the footpath 76 feet from her cycle. She suffered severe head injuries and both her legs were broken. Death appeared to have been instantaneous. The cycle was completely wrecked.  -Southland Times, 15/12/1943.

HIT AND RUN CASE AT WAIKIWI

Police Inquiries So Far Fruitless 

The Invercargill police, up to a late hour last night, had met with no success in their inquiries about the motorist who allegedly knocked down and killed Miss Roberta Fotheringham on the North Road on Tuesday night. They would welcome any information from persons who passed along the road about 11 o’clock that night. 

The damaged condition of the girl’s bicycle, which was brought into the Invercargill police station yesterday, shows that the cyclist must have been hit by a motor vehicle travelling at a fast speed. The point of impact was gauged to be about 12 inches inside the edge of the bitumen on the left side of the road facing north. That fact and the condition of the bicycle suggest that the car was travelling on its wrong side of the road and that the cyclist was struck head-on. The front wheel of the machine was smashed beyond repair. 

The body of the girl was found about 75 feet from the point of impact. She might have been carried a good part of that distance on the bonnet of the car.  -Southland Times, 16/12/1943.

THE INVERCARGILL FATALITY.

In the City Police Court this afternoon, before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., William Thomas Small, aged 23, bushman, of Lumsen, and Manson McCormick, aged 33, salesman, at Sumner, Christchurch, were charged with negligently driving a motor car at Invercargill on Tuesday, thereby causing the death of Roberta Fotheringham. Senior-detective T. Y. Hall appeared for the police, and Mr Mark Hanan appeared for the accused. Senior-detective Hall asked for a remand for the accused to appear at Invercargill next Monday. He said they had been arrested in Dunedin this morning by Detective J. Russell. A young woman had been killed by a motor car about 11 o'clock on Tuesday night at Waikiwi, near Invercargill, and left lying by the roadside. One of the accused had been driving the car, and the other had been sitting in the back seat. The car had later been found at Dunedin. Accused were remanded, bail being refused meantime.  -Evening Star, 16/12/1943.

HIT AND-RUN CHARGE.

TWO MEN COMMITTED FOR TRIAL 

(P.A.) INVERCARGILL, Dec. 22. 

Eleven witnesses were called by the police to-day, when Mason McCormick, salesman, of Sumner, Christchurch, and William Thomas Small, bushman, of Lumsden, appeared before Justices of the Peace, in the Magistrate’s Court jointly charged with being in charge of a motor vehicle involved in an accident which resulted in injuries to Roberta Fotheringham, and failing to stop. They were also charged with negligently driving a motor vehicle on December 14, thereby causing the death of Roberta Fotheringham. 

Detective J. C. Russell, of Dunedin, read a statement made by Small in which he said that he was driving McCormick’s car along the North Road on the night of December 14. McCormick was in the front seat beside him, asleep. He swerved to miss some cows and felt a bump. He woke up McCormick and told him he thought he had hit a cow. McCormick told him to carry on, as it did not matter about hitting a cow.

Small said in the statement that he saw no cyclist. The two were staying in Invercargill that night and went to Dunedin the next morning. The first he knew of the girl’s death and of a cyclist being knocked down by a car, was when he saw a report in a newspaper. He had made up his mind to go to the police, but a detective came to the hotel in Dunedin. McCormick, according to Small’s statement, was under the influence of liquor on the night of December 14, but Small was sober.

The detective also read a statement made to him by McCormick. Both accused were committed for trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court in Invercargill. An application for bail was refused.  -Ashburton Guardian, 21/12/1943.

NEGLIGENCE, CAUSING DEATH

MOTORIST REMANDED FOR SENTENCE 

(P.A.) INVBRCARGILL, Feb. 24. 

A verdict of guilty on a charge of negligently driving a motor car and causing the death of Roberta Fotheringham was returned against William Thomas Small, of Lumsden, by the jury in the Supreme Court this afternoon. Small was found not guilty on charges of failing to stop after the accident and of failing to ascertain if anyone was injured in the accident. 

Mason McCormick, of Christchurch, who was charged with abetting Small in the commission of these two alleged offences, thus becoming party to them, was also found not guilty. 

Before discharging McCormick, Mr Justice Kennedy asked the Crown Prosecutor, Mr H. J. Macalister, if he could direct his attention to any section of the statute which would permit him to deal with a person who, although acquitted, should not, in the opinion of a judge, hold a motor driver's license. 

Mr Macalister: I am not able to do so at the moment, your Honour. 

Small was remanded in custody for sentence until Monday.  -Evening Star, 25/2/1944.

Nine Months' Hard Labour For Negligent Driving

(P.A.) INVERCARGILL, Feb. 28.

William Thomas Small, who was found guilty on Thursday of negligently driving a motor-car thereby causing the death of Roberta Fotheringham on December 15, was sentenced in the Supreme Court to-day to nine months' hard labour, and disqualified from holding a driver's licence for four years.  -Hawkes Bay Herald-Tribune, 28/2/1944.

IN MEMORIAM

FOTHERINGHAM. — In loving memory of our dear Berta (Roberta Mary), accidentally killed at Waikiwi, December 14, 1943. 

“’Til we meet again.” 

— Inserted by her loving mother, father, sisters and brothers. 

FOTHERINGHAM. — In loving memory of Roberta, who was accidentally killed on the North Road on December 14, 1943. 

God knows the way, He holds the key, 

He guides us with unerring hand; 

Someday with tearless eyes we’ll see, 

And then up there we’ll understand. 

— Ever remembered by Bunty and Bert. 

FOTHERINGHAM. — In loving memory of Roberta Fotheringham, who was killed on the North Road, Waikiwi, on December 14, 1943. 

To a beautiful life came a sudden end; 

She died as she lived, Everyone’s friend. 

— Inserted by her sorrowing friends, the Hughes Family, Clifden.  -Southland Times, 14/12/1944.

Wallacetown Cemetery.

Ernest Galbraith Townshend, (1907-31/3/1925). "trigger caught"

DISTRESSING FATALITY

WALLACETOWN LAD SHOT. 

GUN ACCIDENTALLY DISCHARGED. 

A distressing fatality occurred at Wallacetown on Tuesday evening when Ernest Galbraith Townshend, 18 years of age, accidentally shot himself in the head while out shooting rabbits. 

The youth, who is the son of Mr Herbert Townshend, bricklayer and farmer of Wallacetown, was in the habit of going out shooting rabbits in the evening, and slept in a hut situated a short distance from his parents’ residence. On Tuesday evening his sister saw him about 6.30 p.m., when he told her that it was his intention to attend a dance at Waikiwi later on that evening. As he slept in the hut his absence was not noticed, but about 7.30 a.m. yesterday morning, his sister found him lying beside a barb-wire fence, with a gunshot wound in the head which had proved fatal. His single-barrel gun was lying beside him with the discharged cartridge in the breech. It was apparent that he had been getting through the fence, when the trigger caught on the wire, discharging the gun. 

The lad’s family are highly respected residents of the district, and a great deal of sympathy will be felt for them. 

An inquest will be held at Wallacetown at 9 a.m. this morning before the ActingCoroner, Mr J. Ward, J.P.  -Southland Times, 2/4/1925.

DEATHS

TOWNSHEND — Accidentally killed at Wallacetown, on Tuesday, March 31, 1925, Ernest Galbraith, beloved son of Herbert and Emma Townshend; aged 18 years. The funeral will leave his parents’ residence, Wallacetown, at 2 p.m. on Friday, the 3rd inst., for the Wallacetown (new) Cemetery. Friends please accept this (the only) intimation. — Macdonald & Weston, Undertakers.  -Southland Times, 3/4/1925.

ACCIDENTAL DEATH

WALLACETOWN FATALITY. 

INQUIRY BY ACTING-CORONER. 

TRAGIC CIRCUMSTANCES. 

An inquest concerning the circumstances of the death of a young man, named Ernest Galbraith Townshend, who was found dead in a paddock at his father’s farm at Wallacetown on Wednesday morning, was held yesterday morning before the ActingCoroner, Mr James Ward, and a Jury of four, of which Mr J. G. Jenkins was Foreman. 

Senior Sergeant G. Scandrett represented the police. 

Jessie Townshend, a sister of the deceased, said she last saw him alive at about 6.30 p.m. on March 31, when he was in his hut about one chain away from the house. He had then informed her that he was going to a dance at Waikiwi. As far as she was aware there was nothing to worry deceased. When about to turn the cows out after milking the following morning she discovered her brother lying dead in the paddock. It was a usual thing for him to go shooting rabbits in the evenings. 

Herbert Townshend, father of the unfortunate boy, identified the remains as those of his son, Ernest Galbraith Townshend, eighteen years of age. The boy, who was an apprentice bricklayer by occupation, was quite capable of handling a gun, which in this case was a single barrelled one, though he was at times inclined to be somewhat careless. The only conclusion that witness could come to was that the boy was killed as he dragged the gun through the barbed-wire fence about 250 yards from the house. 

Constable T. Beadle stated that he was advised of the accident by the Rev. Mr French and when he arrived at Mr Townshend’s property he found the body lying about five yards from the fence. Deceased had no cartridges in his possession, but he found an empty shell case in the gun. The face and skull were partly blown away. Both Dr. Barclay and himself had tried the gun on the barb-wire and it had snapped the trigger when drawn through. By the nature of the injury the gun must have been close to the temple. When the deceased was getting through the fence his head would be in the line of fire. It was, he thought, quite clear that the gun had gone off accidentally through the trigger coming in contact with one of the barbs in the fence. 

The Jury returned a verdict that the deceased was accidentally killed by the discharge of a shot gun whilst out in search of rabbits. 

The Acting-Coroner, on behalf of the Jury and himself, expressed their deep sorrow and sympathy with the relatives at the untimely death of the boy and these remarks were endorsed by Senior-Sergeant Scandrett.  -Southland Times, 3/4/1925.

Wallacetown Cemetery.

Dorothy Awarua Scott, (1905-10/2/1916). "heard a cry"

 

DROWNING FATALITY.

A sad drowning fatality occurred at Orawia on Thursday evening last at about 8 p.m. Dorothy Awarua Scott, aged nine years, daughter of Mr G. Scott, farmer, Orawia, who had been to the Feldwick school picnic at Mr Jno. Findlay’s homestead, was returning home, and crossing the ford about a quarter of a mile from her home, was evidently swept off her feet, and carried by the rising river into deep water. Mr Scott heard a cry and ran down to the river, but though he thought he saw the child in the river while running towards the ford, there was no sign of her when he reached the hank. Word of the accident was sent in to Constable Tonkinson, at Otautau, and he immediately proceeded to Orawia. Many neighbors came and assisted in dragging the river and searching the banks, but it was not until midday on Sunday that the body was recovered, about seven miles from the ford on the river side, where it had been left by the falling stream. 

An inquest was held on Monday before Mr David Young and a jury of four, when evidence was given in accordance with the above narrative, and a verdict of “accidentally drowned” was recorded.  -Western Star, 15/2/1916.

DEATHS.

Scott. — At Feldwick, on February 10th, Dorothy Awarua, dearly beloved youngest daughter of George A. and the late Isabella Scott; aged 9 1/2 years; result of an accident.  -Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, 15/2/1916.

Otautau Cemetery.

8288 Private George Sheedy, (1907-14/12/1939). "the integrity of their bodies"

TWO SPECIAL FORCE MEN KILLED WHEN BOARDING TRAIN

(Per Press Association)

Tragedy To Troopers From Burnham

INVERCARGILL, This Day. 

Two men were killed and a third seriously injured when they attempted to board a special troop train at Edendale at nine last night. The Victims were:

Killed 

PRIVATE JAMES NELSON, of Nelson Street, Invercargill. 

PRIVATE GEORGE SHEEDY, of Otautau. 

Injured 

PRIVATE WILLIAM YOUNG, of Roxburgh; condition serious. 

When the train, which was a special from Burnham, was bringing troops on final leave stopped at Edendale a number of men left the carriages to farewell Captain M. C. Rice who was leaving the train there. They evidently did not attempt to return to their carriages until the train had started to move. 

Three of them slipped when attempting to board the train and were dragged under it, Nelson and Sheedy being killed outright. Young was caught between the carriage and the platform and extricated with difficulty, a number of troops easing the pressure of the carriage on the injured man. 

The bodies of Nelson and Sheedy Were brought to Invercargill and Young was taken to hospital at Invercargill.  -Central Hawkes Bay Press, 15/12/1939.

LAST TRIBUTES

By Telegraph — Press Association.

funeral of soldiers

VTCTIMS OF ACCIDENT

Invercargill, Last Night. 

Lance-Corporal James Thomas Nelson and Private George Sheedy, who were killed in a troop train accident at. Edendale on Thursday night, were buried at Invercargill and Otautau respectively to-day with military honours.  -Taranaki Daily News, 18/12/1939.

THE TROOP TRAIN TRAGEDY

INQUEST ON VICTIMS 

CORONER'S COMMISERATIONS

 [Per United Press Association.] INVERCARGILL, December 19. 

At the conclusion, of the inquest on James Thomas Nelson and George Joseph Sheedy, who lost their lives through falling from a moving troop train at Edendale on December 14, the coroner (Mr Abernethy) found that both died as the result of multiple injuries sustained in falling under the train, and expressed sympathy with the parents of the two men. 

“I think it proper, as coroner, to add my expressions of sympathy to those already expressed. . There is not much one can say at such a time, but the parents and relatives have the satisfaction of knowing that the deceased soldiers had offered the integrity of their bodies to the country, and were prevented from going overseas by tragedy. It can at least be said of them, as was said by a King of old: “It was good that it was in their hearts to serve their country.”  -Evening Star, 19/12/1939.

Otautau Cemetery.

James Thomas Kearns, (1902-4/12/1930). "struck and canted another tree"

DEATHS.

KEARNS — At Riverton, on December 4, 1930 (the result of an accident), James Thomas Kearns, second son of Mr James and the late Mrs Kearns, late of Scotts Gap; aged 28 years. R.I.P. Funeral notice later.  -Southland Times, 5/12/1930.

James Thomas Kearns.

A strong young life was suddenly taken on Thursday, 4th December, 1930, when James Thomas Kearns died at the Riverton Hospital as the result of an accident at Kilkelly's Sawmill, Motumote, when a tree fell upon the unfortunate yictim while he was working in the bush at his occupation. Only 28 years of age, deceased was a native of the Scotts Gap district, being a son of James and the late Catherine Kearns. He lived all his life in this locality and was a wellknown figure and enjoyed a wide circle of friends, whose sympathy is extended to his sorrowing relatives. The funeral took place from the Catholic Church on Sunday, to the new cemetery, Father Doneghan officiating.  -Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, 9/12/1930.

That James Thomas Kearns died at Riverton on December 4 from shock and internal haemorrhage from the bladder, injuries accidentally sustained by the deceased in the course of his employment when a tree which was being felled struck and canted another tree which in turn hit the deceased, was the verdict returned by the Coroner (Mr E. C. Levvey, S.M.) at the adjourned inquest yesterday morning into the recent Motumote fatality. Sergeant Abel conducted the case for the police, Mr Eustace Russell appeared for the insurance company concerned, and Mr S. Morrell Macalister on behalf of relatives of the deceased. Evidence was taken of James Stapleton and Terence Hogan, fellow workmen, who testified that the deceased was a good and careful bushman and that he met his death through a pure accident.  -Southland Times, 17/12/1930.

Otautau Cemetery.

William Patrick Watson, (1918-3/10/1938). "good wishes and kind remarks"

 Coming-of-age Party

Mr and Mrs Watson gave a very enjoyable coming-of-age party at their home, Hulme street, Otautau, for their eldest son, Mr William Patrick Watson. It was also the 19th birthday of their second son, Mr James Edward Joseph Watson. Among the guests were members of the boxing school, and the railway staff. Mr R. Pettit, Mr G. Fraser and Mr W. Campbell spoke, and Mr K. McKenzie proposed the toast. The guests of honour thanked their friends for the good wishes and kind remarks. Mr Watson also thanked the guests. The music was contributed by Miss Frances and Mrs Watson.  -Southland Times, 3/4/1937.

SURFACEMAN FOUND DEAD 

MISHAP ON RAILWAY LINE NEAR COLAC BAY 

William Frederick Watson, a railway surfaceman, of Colac Bay, was found dead at the side of the railway line about half a mile on the Wakapatu side of Colac Bay, last evening. Watson, who was a single man, was returning to Colac on his motor-jigger and, from the-marks in the gravel at the sides of the rails, it would appear that the jigger jumped the rails and travelled some distance before coming to rest against a bank. 

Watson was found lying with his face in about four inches of water in the water-table at the side of the line. Dr E. S. Fossey and Constable Webb, of Riverton, were communicated with by a workmate of Watson’s, James Corbin.

The body was removed to a Riverton morgue and an inquest will be held.  -Southland Times, 4/10/1938.

DEATH OF RAILWAY SURFACEMAN

EVIDENCE AT INQUEST 

The adjourned inquest into the death of William Patrick Watson, a railway surfaceman of Colac Bay, who was killed on October 3, was held at Riverton before Mr R. C. Abernethy, S.M., Coroner. The following verdict was returned: “That William Patrick Watson died at Colac Bay on October 3, 1938, as the result of misadventure, the cause of his death being either head injuries sustained or drowning resulting from his being thrown from his railway trolley. That while the accident may have been caused through excessive speed of the trolley in a gale of wind, it may have been due to shingle on the rails, but there is no evidence to show either cause. There is also no evidence that the accident was due to any fault in the permanent way or to any railway employee or other person.” 

Constable Webb, of Riverton, appeared for the police. Mr E. B. Patrick, of Riverton, appeared on behalf of the relations of Watson, and Mr H. K. Carswell, of Invercargill, appeared for the Railway Department. 

James William Corbin, of Colac Bay, railway surfaceman, said that about 5.50 p.m. on October 3 Watson had not returned to his hut and his trolley was not in the shed. As Watson should have been home by that time he advised another surfaceman, Broad, and they decided to go to look for him. The train from Riverton came in and he travelled in the engine cab and when about half a mile from the Colac station he saw the trolley and the body of Watson lying near the line. He was lying with his feet towards the line and his head was in the water table and his face seemed to be under water. The guard and the witness picked the body up and they took it to Colac Bay and advised the Riverton police. 

The witness said that both he and Watson had used this particular trolley for about four weeks before the accident. The following day the trolley was towed to Orepuki and loaded on a truck for Invercargill. Watson was a careful driver and the line was in perfect condition at the time of the accident. The trolley had turned a complete somersault and was facing the opposite way to which it had been travelling. According to departmental instructions the trolley was to be locked up each night. The trolley had travelled 21 to 22 yards after leaving the rails. A heavy wind of about 20 to 25 miles an hour was blowing in the direction Watson was travelling. He had never come off the line himself on that trolley. 

Horace John Jackson, guard on the train, gave corroborative evidence about finding the body. In his opinion, from the position of the body, he would say it had been flung there. George Arnold Martin, who was acting ganger that day, stated that about 4.30 p.m. Watson left Orepuki, where he had been working that day. As far as he knew the trolley and engine were in good order. He had worked with Watson for about 12 months and always found him of a cheerful disposition. It would be about nine or nine and a-half miles from Orepuki to the scene of the accident. 

Alexander Bailey, inspector of permanent ways, Invercargill, said that on October 4 he visited the scene of the accident and took measurements. The trolley was 66 feet from where it left the track. Judging the distance the trolley travelled and its turning over, he would say it had been going at least 30 miles an hour. The track was in good condition and there was no expansion of the rails at the joint immediately preceding the scene of the accident. From inquiries he had made, Watson was very popular both with his fellow employees and the residents of the district. The trolley was inspected by the District Engineer at Invercargill and found to be in good order. The permanent way was in good order and no adjustments had been made since the accident. There were eight of these trolleys in the district and they were looked upon as good safe machines. The stretch of line at the scene of accident was straight for at least half a mile.  -Southland Times, 4/11/1938.

Otautau Cemetery.

Samuel Barningham, (1853-30/9/1911). "common road metal"

Dunedin people are surrounded by the products of Samuel Barningham's Victoria Foundry, which was situated opposite the original hospital in Great King st.  The foundry made the "zealandia" kitchen stove and also cast the iron columns which sold by the thousand. Those columns can be found supporting the verandah of the Mayfair Theatre entrance.  Walk up High Street, Manor Place, or other streets in that area and they can be found supporting the balconies of houses there.  Samuel Barningham, however, also had a talent for more delicate constructions.

PERSONAL.

Mr Samuel Barningham, who died on Wednesday and was buried in the Southern Cemetery this afternoon, was one of the most modest of men — not given to talking at any time, never wishing to push himself into prominence — and probably there are very few, even amongst those with whom he did business, who know that he was an accomplished mechanic with the inventive faculty. From his boyhood days in Ballarat he delighted to think out mechanical and mathematical problems. He made, amongst many other things, two microscopes, grinding the lenses himself; of a large assortment of clocks, his own product, the most remarkable is one that works by electricity; and he also constructed a seismograph. To the public he was known as head of a prosperous range-making firm, established here many years ago. He was a patternmaker by trade. Like many other thoughtful and original men, he was very kind and charitable, one who thought no ill of his neighbor, and was ever ready to help a needy one without advertising his bounty. Those few who had the privilege of knowing Samuel Barningham will always think of him with sincere respect and affection.  -Evening Star, 1/9/1911.

THE LATE MR S. BARNINGHAM

By the death last Wednesday of Mr Samuel Barningham Dunedin has lost a notable, if unobtrusive, citizen. Mr Barningham during his long residence in the city never sought to push himself to the front in municipal or other public matters. That, perhaps, was a pity, as men of largely practical character such as was his are too often conspicuous by their absence from the conduct of such affairs. But Mr Barningham was eminently and actively practical in his own good way. It is not too much to say that as senior partner in the well-known Victoria Foundry Company he was held in genuinely loving regard by every one in the employment of the firm. To them he was at all times more a brother than a "boss." Indeed, his natural bent was entirely in the way of a pleasantly good-humoured outlook upon the doings of the hour or day. In keeping with this attitude, his active aim always lay in the direction of doing "the fair thing" by those working with or for him. This outflow of ever-genial and kindly qualities of mind endeared him not alone to his fellow workers but to all who came in contact with him in whatever relation. In short, to know "Sam" Barningham was to love and esteem him. Death has snatched him untimely away, and he will be mourned by both friend and employee as it is the hap of few to be mourned by those left behind. Sprung from a good old Yorkshire family, Mr Barmingham came to Australia as a child. In Victoria he learnt the pattern-making trade, and about 35 years, ago came to Dunedin, where, with one or two partners who survive him, he laid the foundations of the business now known as the Victoria Foundry Company (Limited). The limited liability principle was adopted some four years since, and this arrangement added to the prosperity of the concern.

Mr Barningham was not only a master craftsman in his own line; he was in his leisure hours a master hand at the most delicate, mechanical and optical work imaginable. Microscope of perfect construction, and fitted with lenses of his own grinding and polishing, microtomes, micrometer rulers, and many other delicate machines only to be appreciated fully by workers in science, were among his products. The present writer remembers one beautiful clock movement of his make so finely calculated as to be actuated by an electric battery consisting solely of a piece of common road metal in a jar of water. As those mechanical and optical creations have already been described in these pages it need only be remarked here that the fine qualities of head and hand which went to their making are very rare in any population. Mr Barningham was, in fact, a fine example of the master workman at his best. Naturally temperate, in every regard, he was a man who really enjoyed life by never being idle. And, because he was free from the lust of gold, he enjoyed life in far larger degree than does the man whose chief aim is to acquire material riches. Twice married, Mr Barningham leaves a widow to mourn her loss, but there are no children of either marriage.  -Otago Daily Times, 2/9/1911.

Southern Cemetery, Dunedin. DCC photo.