Leonard Stevenson Esson, (1898-15/4/1912). "a lad of great promise"

 

The flag of the Balclutha District High School was flying half-mast yesterday on account of the death that morning of one of the pupils, Leonard Esson. He was the elder son of Mr Jas. Esson, Stirling, and was in his fifteenth year. A lad of great promise, he won a Junior National Scholarship in 1910 and was always bright and cheery, and beloved by his schoolmates. A fortnight ago he became ill though diabetes, which caused his untimely end yesterday. It is a sad coincidence that two of the Balclutha High school's Scholarship boys — the other one is Sydney Mitchell — have died within the space of a few months.   -Bruce Herald, 18/4/1912.

FUNERAL NOTICE. 

The friends of. Mr and Mrs James Esson are respectfully invited to attend the funeral of their late Son, LEONARD, which will leave their residence, Stirling, on WEDNESDAY, 17th April, at 2 p.m., for the place of interment in the Balclutha cemetery. 

W.M. LOVIE, Undertaker.  -Clutha Leader, 16/4/1912.

Balclutha Cemetery.

Lizzie Hutchins, (28/1/1845-23/8/1872). "a happy bride then"

BIRTHS.

On the 22nd August, at the Medical Hall, Balclutha, the wife of Mr G. W. Hutchins, of a son, which survived but a few hours.   -Otago Daily Times, 26/8/1872.

DEATHS.

On the 23rd August, at the Medical Hall, Balclutha, Lizzie, wife of Mr G. W. Hutchins, aged 27 years.  -Otago Daily Times, 26/8/1872.

Balclutha.

(From our own correspondent.) 

Come in what guise it may, in whatever season of year or life, during sunshine or storm, youth or second childhood, when death knocks at the door, not only the visited tenement is stricken with the awful contemplation that a severance of earthly ties is demanded, but an entire community is made to feel the transitory nature of all human existence. Why that which every day's experience makes so clearly inevitable, should retain such appalling attributes is not matter for discussion in an obituary notice. It seems but a few days since that I sent you the notice of the marriage of Mr G. W. Hutchins to Miss Lizzie Williams, a happy bride then, and on Saturday we deposited her mortal remains in their last resting place. Looking back at the two events, the intervening space of time seems no more than necessary to remove the horses from the wedding equipage to do duty in the funeral hearse. Verily, "let us eat, drink, and be merry, for to-morrow we die." During a short residence amongst us the deceased had made friends of all who had come within the circle of her acquaintance. Possessed of a happy and genial disposition, and a charitable feeling for those whose necessities called upon her good offices, the promising bud of youth had but realised the expectant flower of womanly usefulness when, as a flower, she was cut down.   -Bruce Herald, 28/8/1872.

Balclutha Cemetery.

Robert McKissock, (1865-28/8/1882). "while coupling two trucks"

Balclutha, This Day. Robert McKissock, aged 17, a porter at Stirling, was killed at 8.30 this morning while coupling two trucks which were moving very slowly. One truck loaded with timber which projected over the end struck McKissock’s head and crushed it between the ends of the timber and the other truck.  -Marlborough Daily Times, 28/8/1882.

INQUEST.

The District Coroner, Dr J. G. Smith, held an enquiry on Tuesday into the circumstances which resulted in the death of Robert McKissock at the Stirling railway station on Monday morning. The deceased was only 17 years of age, and was the son of Mr John McKissock, who is a very old settler on Inch Clutha. The following gentlemen composed the jury: J. Petrie (foreman), J. Macdonnell, James McKinlay, Andrew Carson, David Thomson, John Lawrence, John Shepherd, Wm. Watts, David Crossan, Samuel Kirkness, Robert McCracken, and Allan Marshall.

The Jury having visited the house of Mr. McKissock, and inspected the trucks where the accident occurred, the following evidence was taken: —

Thomas Milroy: I am an engine-driver, and was driving the train on Monday morning when the deceased was killed. The train left Balclutha on Monday morning at 7.45, and arrived at about our usual time. We had one wagon loaded with timber to put off at Stirling, and three to put on. The wagon for Stirling was uncoupled — I can't say by whom when the guard opened the points and we went down towards the goods shed. There was a timber truck about 15 yards back on the north side of the goods shed; this we had to couple on to the train. We moved back to the wagon and stopped, then receiving a signal from deceased I moved about a yard further back. The next moment the fireman cried "the chap is killed," and jumped down at his side of the engine. I followed the fireman, and when I got along to where they were I saw the guard and fireman holding the man up in their arms. He only breathed for a short time afterwards. The guard called Henry, the station-master, who at once came up to the spot.

By the Jury: I did not see the man struck myself, but I suppose he was coupling-up at the time he was killed. My duty is to drive the engine but if I saw anything wrong with the loading of any of the trucks I would call the attention of some of the officials to it. McKissock was always looked upon as a smart young fellow, and liked by all who came in contact with him.

Michael Travers: I am a fireman, and was on the train which left Balclutha on Monday morning at 7.45. The train arrived at Stirling about the usual time, where we had three wagons to take on and one to put off. McKissock, the porter in charge, came to put them on, when the guard uncoupled the wagons where the one was to come off. We went down to the goods shed where the timber trucks were which we were to take on. The train went back to take on the wagons, and the deceased went in between the trucks to couple them up. The trucks came back and stood about a yard apart, and the hook did not drop in. I heard the deceased call out "come back." I moved the engine back about a yard or so and got the signal to stop. The guard cried out something, and I jumped off the engine and ran back, and found the guard holding up the deceased who was breathing heavily and bleeding about the face a good deal. I examined the loading of the trucks, and the ends of the timber projected too far for it to be safe for a man to go in between to couple — that is when the train is in motion. 

By the Jury: I cannot say whether the timber had shifted since it was loaded or not, but it would be safer to have what is called a runner when the timber projects. A runner is an empty truck. 

Abdey Hughes: I was guard on the train which left Balclutha on Monday morning at 7.45. We arrived at Stirling at about our usual time, when the deceased jumped on to my van and said that three trucks were going on which were standing on the goods shed road. I told him we had one coming off. He said, "We will require to shunt." I ran forward and uncoupled the trucks, and he went to the goods shed to lift the brake of the trucks which were going on. I then opened the points to let the engine into the siding. I followed the engine and saw her hit up a truck which was loaded with timber. I saw deceased go in between the trucks apparently to pull down the hooks. He then came out and gave the signal to come back, and also cried "come back," and as the engine came back I saw him go in between the trucks a second time. The trucks were on a slight curve, and I presume the hooks had not caught properly, and he went in to fix them. I would be about half the length of a truck from him at this time. I saw him fall across the line, when I at once gave the signal, and called "Stop!" then pulled him from under the wheel, when the fireman cams down and then the station-master. I have had a good deal to do with timber trucks, and I noticed nothing unusual about the loading of these. I have seen timber project quite as much as on this truck, without any runner being used with it. To uncouple a truck like this, I have often gone on my knees, but I consider it would be unsafe to uncouple a truck loaded as this one was while in motion. 

By the Jury; I have often seen timber projecting as far as it was on this truck, and consider it quite safe, so long as it is clear of the next truck. The train was moving so slowly at the time of the accident that I pulled him out before the wheel touched him — a distance of some two feet. If any person in the service goes in between two trucks while the train is in motion, he does so at his own risk. I have seen the station master at Dunedin caution the men about doing it. 

Lucien Henry, stationmaster at Stirling, gave evidence to the effect that there was nothing out of the usual method in the way the truck was loaded. He had measured the distance from the ends of the timber to the next truck and it was fully five inches, which he considered quite safe. He considered the deceased competent as regarded his duties as many a man who had been in the service for many years. He was a very active and careful young man.

The Coroner summed up, and the Jury returned a verdict — "That the said Robert McKissock was accidentally killed on the morning of the 28th August, 1882, while in the execution of his duty, in coupling two wagons. A piece of timber was projecting over the end of the truck, the same timber striking him on the head, thereby killing him." They added the following rider: — "That all timber trucks should be properly braced up with chains in place of rope. And also in cases where projecting over trucks a runner should be provided either in the station or when running."  -Clutha Leader, 1/9/1882.

Balclutha Cemetery.

13099 Private Robert Robson, (3-11/1895-6/1/1938). "never really recovered"

SOUTH OTAGO NOTES

[From Our Balclutha Correspondent.] 

OBITUARY. 

The death took place at Balclutha on Sunday of Mr .Robert Robson, of Manuka Island (near Balclutha), at the early age of 41 years. The deceased was the fourth son of Mr and Mrs James Robson, of Tokonui (Southland) and late of Niagara. He was born at the latter place and educated at the school there. He worked on different farms for a time and left New Zealand with the 12th Regiment, N.Z.E.F. He was wounded on the Somme in 1916, and he never really recovered. On returning from the war he went to Australia, where he worked at wood and cane cutting. On returning again to New Zealand he married Miss Helen McLellan, of Wyndham, and shortly afterwards they took up residence at Manuka Island. By dint of hard work Mr Robson converted what had hitherto been practically a wilderness into a compact farm. He was a member of the Clutha branch of the Farmers’ Union and Loyal Dalton Lodge, M.U. He is survived by his widow and three young children.   -Evening Star, 19/1/1938.

Robert Robson served with the NZ Rifle Brigade and was receive gunshot wounds in the face an shoulders 0n September 30th, 1916.  The Brigade's Official History describes the events of that date: "During the afternoon of the 30th, the 2nd Battalion, under orders from the G.O.C. 2nd Brigade, took part with the 19th London Regiment on our left in a bombing attack on Flers Trench and Flers Support beyond the High Wood-Ligny Thilloy Road. The attack, vainly attempted by the Londoners alone on the previous evening, was this time completely successful, excellent work being done by Capt. H. E. Barrowclough, Lieut. G. A. Avey, and Sergeant A. McLeod. At one point in this attack the advance was brought to a standstill through the skill and tenacity with which an enemy post was held, till finally Lance-Corporal J. W. Voyle, taking a few bombers, moved round its flank in the open and kept the garrison inactive, thus enabling the post to be rushed from the front."

Balclutha Cemetery.

James Davis Taylor, (1901-28/2/1931). "fat at 200 degrees"

SCALDED TO DEATH.

YOUNG FREEZING WORKER.

STRUCK BY STEAM JET

(By Telegraph. — Press Association.)

DUNEDIN, this day

A shocking accident at the Finegand freezing works last evening is reported from Balclutha. James Davis Taylor, aged 20, opened a digestor by mistake while the steam was turned on. The full pressure of steam struck him. He was removed in great agony to hospital, where he died this morning.

He leaves a widow and two children.  -Auckland Star, 27/2/1931.

FREEZING WORKER’S DEATH. 

The adjourned inquiry touching the death of James Davidson Taylor, who died on February 27 as the result of scalds received on the previous day while at work at the South Otago Freezing Company’s works at Finegand was resumed to-day before Mr H. J. Dixon, S.M., coroner for the district. Sergeant Armstrong represented the police. Mr Kelly appeared to .represent the South Otago Freezing Company, and Mr Bremner the relatives of the deceased. Messrs, Dawson (inspector of machinery), and Lightfoot (inspector of factories) were also present. 

Alfred Henry Stowell, foreman of the tallow department at the works, gave evidence that the digesters were under his supervision. On February 26 the deceased went on duty at 4 p.m., and about 5 p.m. it was his duty to take over the digester. Witness went round the digester room between 4 and 5 p.m. Four or five of the digesters were working but No. 6 was not. The lid of the latter was on, so far as he could remember. This was the one where the accident occurred. It was half full of fat ready to boil. The steam heat would be about 200 degrees, sufficient to scald anyone. The lid would be 18 inches in diameter and weighed from 2cwt to 3cwt. The lid fitted on to a flange in the digester, making the lid practically air tight. The digester was eight feet in height and six feet in diameter. As witness was leaving the works he saw deceased on the top floor near the digester, and he said all the offal was up from below. All the deceased had to do was to put the lid on and turn on the steam. There was no danger with these digesters when the lid was off, but there was danger off an explosion if a current of cold air or cold water got in, with the pressure of steam on. There would be no danger if the steam pressure remained stationary. If the lid had been on and the full steam pressure on, the lid could not have been removed by the deceased. Witness had removed a lid when the steam was off and after the fat had been warmed up. After the accident witness went back to the works and found that the fat from No. 6 digester had been cleaned up and it was cooking normally. He considered the explosion to have been caused by a current of cold air getting in when the lid was lifted.

To Mr Kelly: In the previous season the deceased had been working the digesters. The deceased had been instructed to stand at the side when removing the lid, and had he done so on this occasion he would have missed the bulk of the blow-out. If there was steam coming out of the blow-off there would be danger, and the deceased should have known it. The digester was also fitted with a pressure gauge, which would indicate danger. His own opinion was that the deceased must have jerked the lid off quickly and the resultant rush of cold air caused the explosion.

To Mr Bremner: The steam was not on that particular digester, when witness left the works. The deceased relieved a man who went off at 5 o’clock. The deceased, unless told, could not know the condition of the digester if the heat were below boiling point, but there could not be an explosion unless the water and fat were boiling. The man going off the digester was supposed to leave instructions for his successor on a slate which was there for the purpose.

Alexander A. Macfarlane, medical practitioner, Balclutha, gave evidence that he was called to the freezing works on February 26, and found Taylor very badly scalded. He saw fat on the man’s clothing. Taylor was given an anaesthetic and taken to the hospital. He made an examination there and found that he was suffering from burns and scalds over about nine-tenths of his body. The only portion missed was a strip down the back. He died at 2 a.m. next day from the shock caused by the burns. These looked to have been caused by hot water or steam. Fat at 200 degrees Fahrenheit would have much the same scalding effect as hot water. 

To Mr Kelly: Deceased’s hands and arms were scalded. 

John McKenzie, employed in the tallow department at the freezing works, said he had been working the digesters for a number of years. On February 26 he went off shift at 5 p.m., Taylor relieving witness. The deceased came into the room about 4.45 p.m., and his first duty was to put the lid on No. 6 digester. A call came from the gut room that there was a truck of fat there. Witness said he would shut the steam off; and did so when he reached the bottom. He went then to where deceased was at the truck of fat. The latter said it was rather much to leave, and proceeded to take the truck up. Shortly after, he heard an unusual call, and saw deceased being held up on the lift. He saw that he had been scalded. The floor of the digester room was smothered in cooked fat. The truck of fat from the gut room was still on the lift. He saw that the lid of No. 6 digester was off and was hanging in its usual place. He was sure the lid had been either jerked or blown off. 

To Mr Kelly: He had seen deceased standing in front of the digester when taking off the lid, and had told him it was safer to stand at the side.

To Mr Bremner. The steam could only have been on for five minutes when witness turned it off. The contents of the vat would then be about boiling point. The No. 6 digester was the only one used for fat; the others were for offal. 

Lionel Stanford Dawson, inspector of machinery, Dunedin, stated that he had examined the digesters after the accident and had found everything in good order. In his opinion, there could have been no pressure of steam on No. 6 digester when the lid was removed. 

To Mr Bremner: It would be a good thing to have a notice in the digester room warning the employees against removing the lids of the digesters when in work. 

John Alexander Galbraith, an employee in the freezing chambers, stated that he had heard a scream and found the deceased badly scalded. He had not noticed steam escaping when he entered the digester room. 

The coroner stated that the deceased had evidently found that a certain quantity of fat had been left out, and had opened the digester to put it in, when an explosion occurred. It was evidently a dangerous practice, but was done sometimes. There was no direct explanation as to what caused the fat to irrupt, but there was no evidence that it was caused by steam pressure, or that any blame was attachable to anyone. The verdict would be that deceased died from shock caused by scalding.  -Otago Daily Times, 27/3/1931.

Balclutha Cemetery.

Dr William Fleming Currie FRCS, (23/10/1892-20/12/1939). "a highly skilled exponent"

OBITUARY - DR W.F. CURRIE

NELSON, Dec. 21. 

The death has occurred of Dr W.F. Currie, of Richmond, aged 47 years, after an illness of only a few days. Dr Currie was engaged among his patients only last Monday. He was a graduate of the New Zealand University, qualifying in Dunedin in 1916. He then saw service in the Great War, remaining at Home for several years to further his studies. He took the fellowship of the Edinburgh College of Surgeons in 1920, and then returned to New Zealand. For several years he was in practice with Dr Hugh Douglas in Hamilton before coming to Nelson to take over the Richmond practice of the late Dr H.O. Washbourn in 1927. Dr Currie leaves a widow, twin sons, and one daughter. He is also survived by two sisters — Mrs Milne and Miss Currie, both of Dunedin. The funeral will take place at Richmond to-morrow afternoon, when as a mark of respect the business premises in the borough will be closed. -Otago Daily Times, 22/12/1939.

THE LATE DR CURRIE

A TRIBUTE 

(By One of his old Patients) 

It was Shakespeare who wrote “The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones.” 

Alas that this should so often prove to be true. How often do good men and women spend their lives working for the good of others, receiving but scant thanks or appreciation for their outstanding service while they are living. 

This is more or less true of our late lamented doctor. It was not till word was passed round Richmond early on Wednesday morning the 20th December that “our doctor,” passed away last night that the full knowledge of Doctor Currie’s great kindness was realised by the public. 

A pall of gloom brooded over the borough; little else was mentioned but the doctor’s many acts of kindness and practical sympathy with his patients. At his funeral on the afternoon of the 21st there was outward and visible evidence of how deeply the doctor had endeared himself to his many patients. An impressive peroration was delivered at the graveside by the Rev. W. Fairlie Evans, an old friend of the doctor’s parents in which he mentioned the beauty of his youthful environment. It is written in Corinthians 13th chapter: “And now abideth Faith, Hope, Charity these three; but the greatest of these is Charity.” While our late doctor was liberally endowed with all of these good gifts his outstanding trait was the best of the three, Charity. 

The doctor was always too busy to take part in any local function. He played an occasional game of golf, often to be called away in the midst of a round to attend to a patient. Someone wrote: “He who loveth flowers and little children is not far from the grace of God.” Doctor Currie was an ardent lover of nature and flowers while no man could love and enjoy the companionship of his children more than he did. He possessed to a marked degree the God-given sense of humour which enabled him to always see the bright side of things. He was a man who thoroughly enjoyed life and was immensely interested in his profession of which he was a highly skilled exponent.

The doctor was a genuine Christian gentleman, one who believed in putting his Christian faith into practice rather than merely professing the theory of it and letting it rest there as so many are prone to do. He was constantly going about doing good. He comforted the widow and the fatherless. He healed the sick and encouraged the poor. He was especially kind to and sympathetic with his aged patients who all said, “We can always rely on our kind doctor to help us round the last lap of life.” Owing to the high standard of his skill as a surgeon he saved many lives that lacking the benefit of his skill would have been lost. Finally when he realised that death was about to claim one or more of his patients he gave them inspiration and consolation by helping them down through the dark valley into the rest and peace of the realm beyond the grave.
May our doctor rest from his labours in peace.    -Nelson Evening Mail, 12/1/1940.

Balclutha Cemetery.

Simon Conway, (1844-19/3/1893). "perfectly sober at the time"

The Inspector of Police received a telegram to-day stating that Simon Conway, licensee of the Farmers' Arms Hotel at Balclutha, is missing. Every search has been made for him, but no trace of him can be found. He has been drinking very heavily for the last three weeks, and it is feared that he has committed suicide by jumping into the well.  -Evening Star, 23/3/1893.

Mrs Conway writes to ask us to contradict the statement which has been made that Simon Conway had been drinking heavily for the past three weeks, and to say that he was perfectly sober at the time of his disappearance.  -Otago Daily Times, 22/3/1893.

Mysterious Disappearance. — There is as yet no trace of the missing man, Mr Simon Conway, who so mysteriously disappeared on Sunday, 19th inst. Mrs Conway is the more puzzled as her husband gave no intimation of being in trouble of any kind, except that he was a good deal worried over the depreciation of his hotel property in Roslyn owing to the refusal of the renewal of all licenses in that borough. From what I can learn, Mr Conway retired early on Saturday night, and although he slept in the same room with his wife, she did not hear him rise in the morning, and was surprised when she was awakened to find that he had left his bed. It is the general opinion here that he has made away with himself, and that he has sought solace for his troubles in the cruel waters of the Clutha. As a hotelkeeper he was well liked. He was a man of quiet and retiring habits, and did not mix much with the public. It is probable that the Licensing Committee will refuse the license to the hotel at next annual meeting, and that consideration might have added to his other troubles.   -Otago Witness, 20/3/1893.

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES

The inspector of police received a telegram this afternoon stating that the body of Simon Conway, late licensee of the Farmers’ Arms Hotel, at Balclutha, was found in the Clutha River at 11 a.m. to-day.   -Evening Star, 6/4/1893.

CORONER'S INQUESTS AT BALCLUTHA. 

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, — In the public interest it is time, I think, attention was drawn to the manner coroner's inquests are conducted by the coroner for Clutha. I will only refer to one case, as an instance. On Thursday last, the body of Simon Conway, who mysteriously disappeared about a fortnight ago, was found floating in the Clutha river. On being informed, the coroner decided to hold an inquiry, and gave orders for a jury to be summoned to appear at the courthouse at 330 p.m. same day. At the hour named jurymen, witnesses, and deceased's relatives were in attendance, but to everyone's disgust there was no coroner. A painful wait then ensued, during which search was made for the missing official, who, some two hours later, was found. The jury was then empanelled, the body viewed, an order for burial made, and the inquest adjourned until to day (Monday). As this is by no means the first time similar vexatious delays have occurred, it becomes the duty of. the police officer in charge, in the interest of public decency, to lay the facts in the case I have referred to before the Minister for Justice. His duty is plain; let him do it. —I am, &c...  -Otago Daily Times, 11/4/1893.

INQUEST.

At the inquest touching the death of Simon Conway held on Monday the following evidence was led: — 

Ada Conway recognised the body in view as that of Simon Conway, her husband, who was born in Ireland, and had been about 30 years in the Colony, and was for the past two years licensee of the Farmers' Arms Hotel, Balclutha. I last saw him alive on Saturday, the 18th March, about 11 o'clock, when he came to his bedroom. I was then in bed. I then fell asleep, and awoke about 6 o'clock next morning. Deceased was not then in bed, and I did not hear him leave. I next saw him when his body was brought into the house on the 11th April. Previous to his disappearance the deceased had been in a despondent state of mind for a number of months since the appeal of the Roslyn licensing case. He had been drinking for about three weeks previous to his disappearance up to Thursday, the 15th March, when he stopped drinking. I did not notice anything peculiar about him up to then. After the Thursday he seemed to get into a nervous state, and could not sleep. I did not notice anything peculiar about the state of his mind. Deceased and I have lived a happy married life. I can only account for his death from the despondent state of his mind since the license was refused for his Roslyn property. He was not in any financial difficulties. 

Samuel Bushell said: I remember Saturday, the 17th ult. I saw deceased that evening between 7 and 8 o'clock. He was then sitting on the sofa in the dining-room. After having tea I went to the railway station. I remained there an hour and returned to the hotel. Deceased, when I returned about 9 o'clock, was attending to his business in the bar. I remained in the house until 11 o'clock, when I went to bed. Before retiring, while in the small parlour adjoining my bedroom, deceased asked me if I was going to bed. I said I was. He then bade me goodnight and left. This was the last time I saw him alive. I afterwards heard him going upstairs as if to bed. About 3 o'clock next morning I heard a footstep coming down the stairs, but I cannot say it was deceased, but at the time I thought it was he. For the previous fortnight I noticed deceased had been drinking, but on the Saturday he appeared sober and sensible. 

Hannah Taggart, housemaid, rose on the Sunday morning at 20 minutes to 7, and there was then a candlestick in the back parlour. The back door I found unlocked. It must have been unlocked between the time I went to bed (about 11 o'clock, when Mr Conway put the lights out) and arose. I do not know who unlocked it. The candlestick I found in the back parlour was the one that had been in Mrs Conway's bedroom the night before. During the time I have been housemaid at the hotel deceased and Mrs Conway have lived on amicable terms. Deceased had been drinking some time before his disappearance, but I did not notice anything peculiar about him further. 

William John Thompson, groom, said: Deceased had been drinking for a fortnight before his disappearance. I did not notice anything peculiar about him otherwise. I last saw deceased alive on Saturday morning, the l8th March. He seemed always annoyed about his Roslyn property. 

Thomas Girwood, barman at the Criterion Hotel, said: I was in the Farmers' Arms one night about the 4th March. I met deceased there; he had returned from the Dunedin races two days previously. Deceased wanted me to go into another room to see two gentlemen. He told me they had been talking of his Roslyn property, I declined to go in to see them. Deceased blamed Begg for his (deceased's) losing the license of his Roslyn property, and said he would shoot Begg. Deceased was very much excited, and picked up a glass and threw it at the lamp in the room. The glass missed the lamp, but I put out my hand and the glass struck it. Deceased never complained of any other occurrence, and seemed as if his mind was affected by it. He was distracted. I left deceased then. 

Duncan McFarlane, contractor, at present engaged in construction of the groin in the Clutha River at Inch Clutha, said: I was at work at the groin on Thursday morning last. Between 10 and 11 o'clock my son, who was working with me called my attention to a dark body fixed in the piles of the groin in about three feet of water. I entered a boat and rowed to the spot, and found it was the body of Simon Conway. I towed the body ashore and sent for the police. 

Andrew Christie, police constable at Balclutha, said: From information received on Thursday last I proceeded to the groin at Inch Clutha. I was there .shown the body of Simon Conway, late licensee of the Farmers' Arms Hotel, Balclutha. I searched the body and found a watch and chain, handkerchief, watchkey, and LI 6s 6d in silver. With the assistance of Mr McFarlane and his son I brought the body across the river and took it to the Farmers' Arms Hotel. 

The jury returned a verdict of "Found drowned."  -Clutha Leader, 14/4/1893.

Balclutha Cemetery.

Frederick Plew, (1884-29/2/1940). "trying to negotiate the bend"

DRIVER KILLED.

TRACTION ENGINE TOPPLES OVER BANK INTO RIVER. 

(By Telegraph. — Press Association.) DUNEDIN, Thursday. When a traction engine toppled into the river from the Stirling-Balclutha Road this morning the driver was killed. The victim was: — Mr. Frederick Plew, aged 57, threshing mill owner, of North Balclutha. 

About 100 yards on the town side of the Balclutha Bridge, at a corner where the road curves round a cliff with the steep bank of the river on the other side, the traction engine apparently went over the bank and dropped about 20ft into the river, tearing away a wire fence guarding the river side of the road. It was found lying on its side by two men from the bridge who were engaged in repair work, the crash of the traction engine as it went over being heard. 

The men got Mr. Plew out and artificial respiration was tried, but by that time he was dead.  -Auckland Star, 1/3/1940.

SOUTH OTAGO

BALCLUTHA

Death of Mill Owner 

The inquest into the death of Frederick Plew, mill owner, which occurred on Thursday, February 29 (when the traction engine he was driving went off the road and over a bank, into the Molyneux River) was continued at the Balclutha courthouse, before Mr A.E. Russell, district coroner. Constable J. D. Duff conducted the inquest on behalf of the Police Department. Dr Dodds said that on examining the body he found an extensive fracture of the base of the skull, which was the cause of death, and not drowning. The injury to the skull could have been caused if the deceased had fallen on the wheel of the traction engine, or alternatively if the trailer had struck him from behind. William Robert Ladbrook, a casual bridge carpenter employed by the New Zealand Railways, said that on the morning of the accident he was engaged at the north end of the Balclutha railway bridge when he saw the engine travelling slowly towards Balclutha. Following the accident, there were no signs that the edge of the road on the river side had given way. The engine seemed to have gone over when trying to negotiate the bend. The coroner returned a verdict that the deceased was accidentally killed when the traction engine he was driving went over the side of the road into the river, and that death was due to a fracture of the base of the skull.  -Otago Daily Times, 6/3/1940.

Traction Engine Recovered 

On Saturday afternoon the traction engine driven by Mr Frederick Plew when he met his death on February 29 by going over the bank into the Molyneux River was successfully recovered and dragged from the river on to the road. An ingenious arrangement of anchors and cables was used, and a tractor stationed on the hillside supplied the haulage power. Some 60 people had assembled to watch the final operation, and as the traction engine was hauled up the steep bank a lusty cheer rang out. It was found that the engine had suffered very little damage.   -Otago Daily Times, 11/3/1940.

Balclutha Cemetery.

9/827 Trooper Clarence John Hall, (21/12/1894-21/8/1915) "reported as missing"

PERSONAL.

Trooper Clarence John Hall (son of Mr J. Hall, Balclutha) is reported missing at the Dardanelles from August 21, and Private E. H. Thompson (son of Mr D. Thompson, Table Hill, Milton) is reported as missing from September 27.  -Clutha Leader, 26/10/1915.

Trooper Clarence John Hall (missing at the Dardanelles, August 21) is the youngest son of Mr John Hall, farmer, Balclutha. He was born at Riversdale, and is in his twenty-first year. He was educated at Riversdale and Balclutha. On leaving school he worked on his father’s farm until the time he enlisted. He was a member of the Third Reinforcements.  -Otago Witness, 10/11/1915.

As a result of a court of inquiry, Trooper Clarence John Hall, of Balclutha, who was previously reported missing, is now officially reported as killed in action. Trooper Hall, who was just approaching his 2lst year, was the youngest son of Mr J. Hall, farmer, Riverside. He enlisted with the Third Reinforcements. Some time ago Mr Hall was notified that his son was reported as missing as from August 21. Since leaving school deceased worked on his father's farm till he answered the call for men.  -Clutha Leader, 25/1/1916.

IN MEMORIAM

HALL. — In loving memory of Clarence John Hall, who was killed while in action at Gallipoli on August 21, 1915, dearly loved youngest son of John Hall, Balclutha. 

— Inserted by his parents, brothers, and sisters.  -Otago Witness, 23/8/1916.

Balclutha Cemetery.

James King, (1892-3/11/1918). "a born shepherd"

OBITUARY.

MR JAMES KING, HILLEND. 

A gloom was cast over the Hillend and Stoney Creek districts on Sunday over the sad news of quite a young man, in the person of James King, at the early age of 26 years, after a severe attack of influenza. He was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs Adam King, well known and highly respected residents of "Mafeking," Stoney Creek. Jim, as he was best known by, was educated at the Hillend School, his father at that time being head shepherd for the late Mr Robert Paterson, Barnego. A few years later Mr King purchased a farm at Stoney Creek, where he now resides, and Jim, although quite a young chap, soon gained a wonderful knowledge of good stock. He was in every sense of the word a born shepherd, and had he been spared would have been a thorough flockmaster. Another very essential industry on the farm was bee-keeping, and to this Jim put his whole heart and soul. Anyone taking a look at the splendid orchard can see still more of the young man's good and useful work, and his untimely end means a decided loss to the district to which he belonged, and our hearts go out in sympathy to the bereaved ones in this their time of sorrow. There are two brothers and one sister, all younger than deceased. The funeral, which took place on Tuesday at the Balclutha cemetery, was very largely attended, marking the esteem in which the King family are held. — Correspondent.  -Clutha Leader, 8/11/1918.

Balclutha Cemetery.

8/288 Private William George Smith, (24/6/1893-27/9/1916). "a withering blast of fire"

Private William George Smith (missing since September 7th but now reported dead) was 22 years of age, and the second son of Mr and Mrs William Smith, of Stirling, Otago. He left for Egypt as a mounted man in the 14th Otago and Southland Company with the Main Expeditionary Force. With his cousins, Privates Anderson, sons of Mr Crawford Anderson, late member for Bruce County, they were the first, to volunteer in their district. Private Smith, after a year of the Egyptian campaign, left for Gallipoli. He stayed there till just before the evacuation, when he received orders to go to France. Soon after arrival he contracted measles, and was for six weeks confined to hospital. When convalescent he went on furlough to visit his relatives in Glasgow and Edinburgh. He was born and educated in Stirling, and after leaving school assisted his father in the management of his Silvermere estate, which adjoins the Clutha river.  -Press, 6/1/1917.

William Smith was in the 1st Battalion of the Otago Infantry Regiment.  It is not revealed in his Army record which Company he was with on the day of his death.  The Otagos' Official History records actions of the 1st Battalion on that day under the title "A Bitter Experience."

"The attack for the 27th, to which the 1st Infantry Brigade was committed, was timed to commence at 2.15 p.m., and at 7 a.m. the preliminary bombardment opened. The 1st Battalion of Otago was again on the left of the attack, and when the barrage came down deployed in the following order: 14th Company on the right; 4th Company on the left; 8th Company in support; and 10th Company moving north along the line of Goose Alley on the left of the attack.

"Punctually to time and in good order the Battalion advanced to the attack, and with only a moderate number of casualties crossed the line of Factory Corner-Eaucourt L'Abbaye Road. From this stage the ground fell away abruptly and the attacking troops almost immediately came under a withering blast of fire from enemy rifles and machine guns posted along Gird Trench and Gird Support. The two leading Companies, 14th and 4th, valiantly endeavoured to press on against this hail of fire; but it was only a question of distance when they were literally swept away by it. Every officer and almost every man became a casualty. The 8th Company, following in rear, now advanced into the breach. With equal gallantry the endeavour to reach Gird Trench was renewed, only to find that the protecting wire in the low lying ground was uncut. Here the attack withered away, and the few survivors, the remnant of three shattered Companies, took refuge in the shell-holes. A few of our men, joining up with the 1st Battalion of Auckland on the right, had succeeded in reaching Gird Trench.

"The 1st Battalion's attack against the Gird system of PAGE 133trenches and along Goose Alley on September 27th unquestionably represented the Regiment's most bitter and costly experience on the Somme. When the Battalion marched out of the line on the night of the 28th it was reduced to a strength of 113, which was considerably below that of a company. The fire encountered by the leading companies almost immediately after crossing the line of the Factory Corner-Eaucourt L'Abbaye Road was of a nature such as only those who had gallantly, though vainly, endeavoured to struggle through it could realise; and the line which the attack reached was only gained because of the extraordinary spirit of self-sacrifice of officers and men in face of overwhelming odds; Gird Trench, and Gird Support in particular having been densely packed with an enemy liberally supplied with machine guns. The problem presented by having to handle such a number of wounded called for the greatest exertions of the stretcher parties, who worked unceasingly throughout the night under almost insuperable difficulties of mud and distance. Many of the wounded succeeded in staggering back unaided, but there were others who were so sorely wounded as to be beyond the aid of the bearers when their turn came."

George William Smith was found, by a Court of Enquiry, to have died on September 27.  He has no known grave.

Balclutha Cemetery.

Margaret Paterson and infant son, 1873.

Unsung are the heroines of times when a wife's job and duty were to bear her husband's children.  Were they unsung in their day because childbirth involved sex? Or because it was a normal, if not expected, thing to occur to a woman?

Margaret Paterson was, possibly, not mentioned by name in contemporary papers, being mentioned merely as "wife."  But, to be fair to those days, my primary source of information, the wonderful "Papers Past," does have a certain failure rate in its scanning - some stories simply have not come through the process.

BIRTHS.

On the 7th January, the wife of Mr Robert Paterson, of a son.  -Bruce Herald, 10/1/1873.

DEATHS.

At Tokomairiro, on Saturday, the 8th instant, the infant son of Mr Robert Paterson, Hillend, Lovell's Flat.  -Bruce Herald, 11/2/1873.

Balclutha Cemetery.