ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.
MINER LOSES LIFE.
(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, June 14. An accident in which John Howd, an employee of the Linton Coal Company lost his life, occurred in the Linton mine this morning. A prop was knocked out and the coal it was supporting fell and crushed his skull against a truck. -Thames Star, 14/6/1929.
FATALITY AT OHAI.
The mining village of Ohai was cast in gloom on Thursday 'morning, when the sad news travelled quickly that John Howd had suddenly been called hence, while employed at his daily work as a miner in the Linton Mine. Deceased, who was 44 years of age, oame from the old land, County Durham, about 5 years ago with his wife and daughter and immediately secured work at Ohai. Taking up a township allottment the family erected a comfortable modern home wherein domestic peace and happiness dwelt until rudely shattered with tragic suddenness. Deceased was an accomplished musician and with his daughter was a prominent figure at all entertainments and musical unions in the neighbourhood. The bereaved have the heartfelt sympathy of all in tneir dark hour of sorrow and loneliness.
INQUEST.
An inquest concerning the above fatality was held at Ohai on Saturday before Mr D. Sinclair, J.P., and a jury consisting of Messrs H. G. Bruce (foreman), T. Quested, G. Muir and S. Blight. Mr Gordon Reed represented the relatives, and Miners' Union. Mr H. Macalister for the Linton Coal Co, Constable Moore conducted the enquiry and Inspector Duggan watched the proceedings on behalf of the Mines' Department.
Edward Hunt stated that he was working with deceased at pillar extraction work. They had been about three years working mates. At about 9.45 the shot firer fired a shot in their place and while waiting for the smoke to clear moved round the corner to another place. Deceased had been shovelling two or three minutes and had about half filled the box. Just as he was passing the other side of the box he heard a fall and saw deceased's light go down. He rushed round and found deceased lying alongside the box with his head fearfully injured. He sbouted for Hedley and Cosgriff who were in the next place to come at once. They removed the coal from his legs arid carried him to the main drive and sent for the Under viewer Lewis. About half a ton of coal fell. It seemed as though a piece of coal had rolled down the gob and struck the base of the prop, knocking it out and causing the coal it had been supporting to strike deceased, throwing his head violently against the sharp edge of the steel coal truck (box). There was very little coal lying on deceased. The place was well timbered and appeared perfectly safe. The whole thing was a sheer accident.
Corroborative evidence was given by B. Cosgrifl, Deputy, who had examined the place previous to the men commencing work, T. Hedley, a miner working in the adjoining place, and by Jas. E. Lewis, Under-viewer.
Dr P. J. McQuilkin, medical practitioner, detailed the extent of the injuries, which resulted in practically complete cleavage of the brain from top to bottom. Death would be instantaneous. The injury could have been caused by being thrown against the edge of a steel box, but not by being struck by falling coal.
The jury found that deceased, John Howd, met his death by a fall of coal throwing him against a box while working in the Linton Coal Mine. They being of the opinion that no blame was attached to any employee or official of the Linton Coal Co.
The interment took place at the Nightcaps Cemetery on Sunday. The cortege was a very lengthy one consisting of over 70 cars. Services were impressively conducted at the house and graveside by Rev. Roy Jamieson. The last rites of the R. A. O. B., of whom the deceased was a prominent member, were conducted by the Chaplain Master of the Order; assisted by a large number of officers and brethren. Many large and beautiful wreaths and floral tributes gave evidence of the esteem in which the deceased was held. -Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, 18/6/1929.
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