William Kennedy, 1839-15/1/1874. "a fall of earth"

A labouring man, named William Kennedy, was covered by a fall of earth yesterday afternoon, whilst working at an earthcutting at Caversham, for Messrs Procter and Whittaker. His mates instantly extricated him, and conveyed him to the Hospital, but he died before reaching that institution. Drs Yates and Brown examined and pronounced him dead, and an inquest will be held at the Hospital today, at noon.  Otago Daily Times, 16/1/1874.

The adjourned inquest concerning the death of William Kennedy, who was killed by some earth falling on him at the railway cutting, Caversham, on Thursday last, was continued at the Hospital to-day. The first witness called was John Bauderman, the ganger, who said that the earth which fell down was not part of any excavation or falling, and that there had been no excavating at the place for two or three days previous. Buchanan, the man who was examined yesterday, was recalled, and said the earth which had tumbled down was ready to be falled when they went to work underneath. A man named Davidson, a pickman, was called, but did not see anything of it. Buchanan said Davidson knew about the accident, and was speaking to a man named Brown about it yesterday. Davidson denied this, adding that he did not know Brown. Sub-Inspector Mallard, who had visited the place, stated the condition in which he had round it. Brown was sent for, but he could not be found. The Coroner said the evidence would not justify the. jury in saying whether it was a pure accident or carelessness. He would, therefore, recommend them to return an open verdict. There was not sufficient evidence to show that it was an act of carelessness. Buchanan’s evidence, which was affirmative, was not corroborated, while the rest was negative, for although there were a number of witnesses, none of them except him saw the accident, and therefore their evidence amounted to nothing. They had better return an open verdict so as not to blame the contractor nor yet to free him. If they did so, they should tell the ganger what their private opinion was. The jury then returned an open verdict in accordance with the Coroner’s directions, with a rider that more precaution should be taken in the future. The Coroner pointed out that the verdict did not prevent further steps being taken if anything should crop up. Mr Baudeman, the ganger, and Mr Procter, the contractor, were then called in, arid the verdict explained to them, after which they were cautioned by the Coroner to be more careful in future.  -Evening Star, 17/1/1874.

FUNERAL NOTICE. 

THE Friends of the late WILLIAM KENNEDY are respectfully invited to follow his remains from the Hospital, Great King street, to the place of Interment in the Roman Catholic Southern Cemetery, THIS DAY, MONDAY, at 3 30 p.m. 

ROBERT LAMBERT, Undertaker.   -Otago Daily Times, 19/1/1874.

Southern Cemetery, Dunedin.