DEATH.
Bates. — On June 2nd, 1902, at his parents' residence, Temuka, Sampson Taylor, eldest and beloved son of Charles and Alice Bates. Deeply regretted. -Temuka Leader, 3/6/1902.
PEACE.
END OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN WAR.
HOW THE NEWS WAS RECEIVED LOCALLY.
TEMUKA. For some days past the residents of Temuka and district, in common with the rest of the inhabitants of New Zealand aye, and in common with all those forming component parts of the great Anglo Saxon race, have been on the qui vive for the long expected and long deterred arrival of the tidings that peace had been proclaimed. Of late most have been hopeful; but how often previously have feelings of exultation and gratitude been widely scattered, and indications at times certainly pointed to the probability of the conference sitting at Vereeniging proving abortive. Yet all have waited expectantly and prepared assiduously to have a "real good time" and fittingly celebrate the grand and good tidings.
Since Thursday last it had been frequently rumoured that peace was an accomplished fact, and that it had been arranged, to declare it Monday sometime before noon. The reasons mentioned for not proclaiming it before were many: one being that the Home Government wished to stay inopportune celebrations; and another that Monday was chosen in order that the two holidays, the Peace celebration and Prince of Wales' Birthday, follow one another. Be this as it may, it would seem as though for once rumour had in this case not been the "lying jade" she is universally acknowledged to be.
Monday, therefore, was generally looked upon as the day for the rejoicings to mark the era of peace being once more established within the borders of the Empire, and when the clanging of the firebell was heard at about 10 minutes past 10 yesterday morning there was an immediate rush for the streets, and questioning exhumations of "Is it peace?" were on all lips.
On the receipt of the wire from the Acting-Premier, Sir J. G. Ward, conveying the glad intimation, Mr P. P. White, the Temuka postmaster, immediatelv rushed to the fire-brigade station and started the vigorous ringing that for some time continued. In accordance with instructions, telegrams containing the message were despatched to the members of both Houses of the Legislature in the district, the mayor, chairmen of local bodies, ministers of the various churches, the chairmen of school committees, etc.
The message was as follows:
"South African War. It is with intense pleasure that I advise you I have received definite intimation that peace has been declared" (Signed). J. G. Ward.
Following the fire bell came the chimes of the church bells ringing in unison, and each speaking out the joy felt by all at the fact that at last peace was with us again.
The townspeople began to assemble near the post office, flags were hoisted, some of the young bloods — and old ones too — armed themselves with gongs, tin cans, etc, and created a din worthy the occasion, and which, as Jerome K. Jerome has it, let off "steam" a 100 per cent, better than ''a real first-class all round swear." Am improvised band was being gathered together, and it was purposed to form a procession (including the children, who came streaming down the road, happy at another holiday) and "do" the town in a style that would live in the memory of the inhabitants of the township as long as life itself. In the distance was to be heard a detonation, and those at the post office thought "They're at it further down the street."
Little did they know at the time that that explosion was the death moment of one of the brightest and most popular of Temuka's young men.
All were happy, laughter was on all sides, and preparations were going on apace, when word came to hand that Mr Sampson Bates, a young man of about 20 years of age, had been killed instanteously, while in the act of firing off an improvised cannon manufactured by him to use in celebrating the declaration of peace. With this news becoming known the general tokens of rejoicings gave place to feelings of deep sympathy and sadness.
In the absence of the Mayor, who is away at his farm at Clifton, Mr T. Buxton, Deputy Mayor, convened an informal gathering of members of the Borough Council at his office, to consider what steps should be taken in the matter now that this painfully sad accident had occurred.
Suitable references were made by those present to the fatality, and the gloom caused thereby. The resolution, on the motion of Councillor J. A. Mc Askill, seconded by Councillor D. Henry, was carried:— "It is proposed that owing to the melancholy accident by which Mr Sampson Bates lost his life while taking part in the peace rejoicings, this Council decides to discontinue any further celebrations today."
The Deputy Mayor, in supporting the action taken by the Council, said that two at least out of every three spoken to were in favor of no further demonstration being made. Deceased had given his life in attempting to celebrate an Empire's rejoicings, and this fact was more than reason enough to justify the decision arrived at.
It was resolved the proprietor of the local paper be requested to issue an Extra ordinary containing this intimation. Another resolution was carried as follows: — "That the Deputy Mayor be asked to respectfully request the tradesmen in town to close their places of business during the progress of the funeral of the late Mr S. Bates."
The decision of the Council was made known at an early opportunity, and the remainder of the day in Temuka was passed quietly. -Temuka Leader 3/6/1902.
The Late Fatal Accident at Temuka.
INQUEST. An inquest was held at the Temuka Courthouse, on Monday last, on the body of the late Sampson Taylor Bates (who met his death by the bursting of an improvised cannon which be was firing off during the peace celebrations), before Captain Wray, coroner, and the following jury: Messrs T. C. Farnie, G. Levens, J. H. Anderson, P. Coira, J. F. Hardey, and D. Henry. Mr Hardey was chosen foreman. After viewing the body the following evidence was taken:
Samuel Voyce, stable boy, about 16 years of age, working for Mr Wightman, said: I was standing in Mr Wightman’s stable, adjoining Mr Bates’ premises, on Monday forenoon. I heard a loud report in the direction of Mr Bates' place. I looked across and saw deceased fall to the ground. Thought he had fired off his brother’s gun and that he had fallen on purpose. Did not realise that an accident had happened, and went on with my work. Shortly after saw Mr Bates (deceased’s father) go to the spot. Saw him raise deceased’s head and examine it. It then occurred to me that an accident had happened. Did not notice deceased before I saw him fall, and did not know that he was making experiments with a pipe. Saw him come from the back of the house just before the explosion. Knew nothing further about the accident.
Charles Bates, painter, deposed: I am father of deceased. My son made the gun about two years ago to celebrate the relief of Mafeking. He made the gun out of a piece of galvanised iron pipe. He fired it off at several celebrations many times. I believe it is the same gun he fired on Monday. The fragments produced are the remains of it. Deceased had not fired the gun for some time previously. It had no carriage at the time it was fired. I went to the post office about 10 o’clock on Monday morning, and as I was returning I went into Mr Brown’s shop. I heard the bells ringing for the peace proclamation, and ran out and met Mr Henry, and spoke to him about peace. I returned to my shop, and was in the act of tying up some flags in front of my shop, when I saw Sam come running up from the town and jump over the fence. Was putting up flags when I heard an explosion. Mr Thomson, who was at the end of the verandah said “Sam has let off his gun; you had better go down.” I thought something had happened and rushed into the yard. Found deceased lying flat on his back. Could see that he was badly hurt —pretty well gone — saw the blood rushing from a wound in his neck. Raised his head and called out to some one to go for a doctor, who came a few minutes afterwards. Was always afraid of the gun; had a dread of it and had warned him many times. He always said there was no danger. Should say he had let the gun off twenty times altogether. Don’t know the charge he put into it. When the gun was on a block he used to let it off with a fuse. On this occasion he appeared to have taken fuse off a packet of crackers. Think that in the excitement of letting it off he used a short fuse, or that he had gone to examine it after lighting the fuse. Did not know that he was letting off the gun.
Dr J. S. Hayes deposed Soon after 10 o’clock on Monday morning I was called to see deceased. Went down at once to Mr Bates’ and found the deceased Sampson Bates lying in the yard. There was a large quantity of blood about, and there was a large wound in the left side of the neck, extending from the front of the windpipe to the back bone. The windpipe, gullet, and veins, and nerves of the neck were severed. There was only a very little oozing of blood when I arrived, life was extinct. There was also a small wound and two or three cuts on the left hand. Deceased’s watch in his vest pocket was shattered to pieces. There were no other marks of the injury on the body. Death was almost instantaneous, caused by the division of the large nerves and blood vessels. The wounds were such as could be caused by pieces of jagged iron forcibly driven by an explosion or the bursting of a pipe, such as the pieces produced.
The jury returned a verdict that deceased met his death through the bursting of an improvised cannon. -Temuka Leader, 5/6/1902.
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