Sunday 21 November 2021

Duncan Cameron, 1867-22/1/1902

Local and General News

Our Waitahuna correspondent writes: — The sad news reached Waitahuna on Thursday last of the death (by accident) of Mr Duncan Cameron, second son of the late James Cameron. The deceased was working at a sawmill at Eketahuna, North Island, at what is called the forty-mile bush. From what can be gathered be must have been working in the bush when the accident happened as he was killed by a tree falling upon him. Muoh sympathy is felt throughout tbe district for the relatives, especially so for the bereaved mother who is quite bowed down under her heavy trial. Arrangements are being made to have the remains conveyed to Waitahuna for interment.  -Tuapeka Times, 25/1/1902.


DEATH OF THE LATE DUNCAN CAMERON.

We take the following particulars of the death by accident at Hukanui, near Wellington, from the "Eketahuna Express" — Information was received in Eketahuna that a man had been accidentally killed at Messrs Weir and Henry's sawmill at Hukanui. Constable Gray immediately proceeded to the scene of the accident, and found that the victim was Duncan Cameron, aged 36 years, a native of Otago, who was employed by the firm as assisting "panman" of the loghauling in the bush. It appears that Mr Weir and another were felling a tree near where deceased was working, and when the tree was starting to "squeak" some time before it fell, Mr Weir called out to deceased to be on the look out. For some reason not known the deceased does not seem to have taken sufficient heed of the warning; the consequence was that when the tree came down he was struck by the branches and apparently killed instantaneously. Though several men were working near where deceased was killed no one seemed to have been aware of the accident at the time. It happened just as the whistle gave signal for dinner, and the fact of deceased not turning up with tbe rest of the men, a search was made and he was found in a crouching position under the branches. The base of the skull was fractured, a 5in scalp wound on the back of head, bruises on right temple, left leg broken above ankle, right arm below shoulder. Deceased's parents reside at Waitahuna, and one brother belongs to the Eighth Contingent.

The following letters reoeived by the relatives of the deceased young man testify to the esteem in which he was held by his employers and fellow workmen. — His late employer Mr G. Weir of the firm of Weir and Henry, Sawmillers, writes as follows: — "We send our deepest sympathy to all near and dear friends of Duncan's, We may state that Duncan was held in great respect by us and all his fellow workmen. We have done everything in our power without delay to forward remains with all due respect. We have all been greatly moved, but hope that God will comfort you all and give you strength to bear this great loss."

The following was reoeived from Mr B. B. Paul, who is a native of Milton and enginedriver at the works: — "Accept my heartfelt sympathy in your sad bereavement caused by the sad death of your son Duncan. He and I have been mates ever since leaving Oamaru and worked together on this job for over three months. He had made many friends even during his short stay in Nireaha, and for his kind, honest and genial ways I miss him very much. When anything wanted doing to the engine at night after all the rest of the men had gone home, Duncan was always there to lend a helping hand. If I can be of any assistance or give you any information you may require I will be only too willing to do so."  -Tuapeka Times, 1/2/1902.


Waitahuna

Last Friday afternoon the remains of the late Mr Duncan Cameron were 1aid in the Waitahuna Cemetery. A very large number of friends and acquaintances followed in the funeral train. The Rev. J. S. Reid conducted the religious ceremonies at the grave. The body was brought from Eketahuna in a hermetically sealed coffin, and arrived by train on Thursday evening. The deceased young man, who was accidentally killed by a falling tree, was a nephew of Mr W. Cameron of Glenore. Much sympathy is felt here for his sorrowing widowed mother and brothers and sisters.   -Bruce Herald, 7/2/1902.


Waitahuna Cemetery.


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