DEATH OF MR JOHN ROBERTSON
A FATAL BICYCLE ACCIDENT.
[United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, Nov. 14. A fatal bicycle accident, resulting in the death of Mr John Robertson, occurred on the Island Bay road yesterday afternoon. Mr Robertson, who was a builder by occupation, had arrived from Nelson, where he resided, by the Penguin on the previous evening, and was riding down hill on the road named when his machine, which did not carry a brake, took control, and ran away with him. Being only a learner, he was unable to steer the bicycle, and it crashed with tremendous force into a telegraph pole at the side of the road, the unfortunate man sustaining a fearful fracture of the skull which must have caused instantaneous death. Mr Robertson, who was about 37 years of age, leaves a widow and family. His body is to be sent to Nelson.
The news of the sad occurrence was received in Nelson early on Saturday evening and it gave a great shock to the many friends of the deceased some of whom had seen him strong and well just the day before. He left Nelson for Wellington by Friday's boat, and to hear so soon of his shocking death was most startling. The extremely painful duty of breaking the sad news to the widow of the deceased fell to the Rev. R. S. Gray, and it need scarcely be added that the poor lady was prostrated by the suddenness of her severe bereavement. The Rev. R. S. Gray was himself greatly upset by this sudden death of one of his right hand supporters in the Church, following so quickly upon the death (also very sudden) of the deceased's father, which occurred a few weeks ago. Father and son were both staunch members of the Baptist Church and both had been office bearers. The services at the Church yesterday were exceptionally impressive; indeed many of the congregation were affected even to tears. In the morning, Mr T. Petitt, superintendent of the Sunday school, of which deceased was secretary, announced the accident and paid a tribute to the memory of the departed. Mr Petitt said "our loss will be his gain." After prayer by Mr J. H. Barker, Mr Walker instead of speaking upon the subject which he had prepared, read a sermon by John Angel James which was full of words of cheer and comfort for bereaved ones, and in the circumstances the sermon was specially appropriate.
In the evening the Rev. F. W. Isitt spoke briefly upon the words from John, "I am the resurrection and the life." The preacher vividly portrayed the glories of an everlasting life and speaking of the deceased said that his life and the life of all true Christians was beautiful just in so far as it was linked with God through Christ. Appropriate hymns were sung and Pope's Ode ("Vital Spark") and the "Dead March" in "Saul" were played by the organist. The funeral will leave the Baptist Church at 2.45 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday). The Sunday-school scholars are to meet at the Church and will attend the funeral. -Nelson Evening Mail, 15/11/1897.
The Inquest — A Dangerous Pole.
Wellington, November 15. 3 At the inquest on the late Mr John Robertson, the victim of the bicycle accident on Saturday, a verdict of accidental death was returned. The jury added a rider calling the attention of the Telegraph Department to the dangerous nature of the telegraph pole with which deceased came into collision. The pole has been responsible for thirteen bicycle accidents during the last nine months, some of them of rather a serious nature. One of the residents in the vicinity said he knew of three machines having been smashed through collision with the pole in one day. The pole is situated at a nasty curve at the foot of the hill, in a direct line with the road. -Colonist, 22/11/1897.
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