MR CHARLES LAMB MISSING.
LAST SEEN ON THE SANDS.
Mr. Charles Lamb, formerly of Messrs Everett Bros, is reported to be missing. He was last seen yesterday aftenoon on the Sands. About 4 o'clock a passer-by observed two men bathing his head at the water trough on the Rocks apparently after he had had a spill off his bike. He was seen again on the Sands later on walking in the direction of the Blind Channel, and has not been seen or heard of since. It is understood Mr. Lamb intended leaving for Wanganui to-morrow, where he has purchased a business. -Nelson Evening Mail, 1/5/1911.
DEATH OF A NELSON RESIDENT,
AFTER-EFFECTS OF A BICYCLE ACCIDENT.
NELSON, May 1. The body of Charles Lamb, a wellknown resident of the city, was found on the beach at Tahuna this afternoon While cycling along the Rocks Road yesterday afternoon Lamb met with a serious accident. His bicycle skidded and he was thrown over the parapet on to the rocks, about nine feet below. First aid was rendered by a passer-by, and Lamb seemed recovered sufficiently to be left. He was seen walking about the beach later in the afternoon, but failed to return home, and a search was instituted. It is surmised that Lamb was dazed by the fall, and subsequently lost consciousness, being overtaken by the incoming tide. He leaves a widow and three grown-up sons. Lamb was about to leave Nelson, having purchased a business at Wanganui. -Wanganui Chronicle, 2/5/1911.
THE DEATH OF MR CHARLES LAMB.
THE INQUEST.
AN ACCIDENTAL DEATH.
DANGER OF THE ROCKS ROAD TRACK.
The inquest on the body of the late Mr. Charles Lamb, who was found drowned on Tahuna beach on Monday afternoon, was continued before Mr. J. S. Evans, S.M., Coroner, to-day.
Mr. W. S. Milner watched the proceedings on behalf of the relatives.
Mr H. A. Gully (representing Messrs Adams and Hanley), watched proceedings on behalf of an unnamed client.
The evidence of Dr. Gibbs was taken yesterday.
Sergt. Mullany called further evidence as follows: —
Percy Bartholomew Lamb, son of the deceased, deposed that his father was 52 years of age, and had always enjoyed good health. About 1-30 on Sunday afternoon his father said that he would go for a bicycle ride, and that was the last witness saw of him. Deceased had a cold water bath before dinner. When his father did not come back on Sunday witness thought that he had gone to Wakefield. When his father did not come back on Monday morning witness began to think something was wrong, and he made inquiries. His father had bought a tailoring business at Wanganui, and had intended leaving Nelson yesterday. His mother was going away with his father, but he was to remain in Nelson. Deceased was well pleased with the business he had purchased, and had no financial worries.
John Walter, of Walter Bros., deposed that he saw deceased about 2.15 p.m. on Sunday at the end of the asphalt on the Rocks Road. Deceased was standing on the beach holding his bicycle, and there was blood on his face. Deceased told witness that he had fallen over the breastwork near the end of the chain. Deceased handed up the bicycle to witness. Deceased walked along the beach to the steps near the trough and mounted the stops. Witness and Mr. Blundell took him to the trough where they washed the two cuts on the head. Witness asked deceased (who talked rationally) where the broken bicycle should be sent, and the reply was "Oh. everyone knows me — Charles Lamb, Tasman-street." An expressman came along and deceased gave instructions for his bicycle to be sent to a cycle shop in town. Deceased was trembling and appeared to be suffering from shock. There were three men in the express, and deceased, saying that he would be all right if he had something to steady his nerves, asked them if they could give him a taste. The men in the express gave deceased a glass of beer. When witness left the trough deceased appeared to be able to take care of himself, though he said he felt a little dizzy.
Francis M. Batchelor, clerk, stated that he saw deceased on the beach after the accident, and asked him if he was hurt. Witness understood deceased to reply that he was not much hurt. Witness offered to help deceased up on to the track but deceased said he would walk along to the steps. In witness's opinion the track near where deceased went over the bank, was dangerous owing to the loose shingle and the sand. A cyclist striking a loose stone was almost certain to go over the bank, while the loose sand made it difficult to steer a bicycle.
John Thomas Blundell, wood and coal dealer, deposed that he assisted to wash the wounds on deceased's head. Deceased explained that his bicycle struck a stone, and that he had been thrown over the embankment. When the express came along deceased had a glass of beer. Deceased was a bit shaky and said he would like to lie down. Witness asked deceased to come along to the first hotel, but he declined. Deceased also declined to go back to the "Basin." Witness thought the deceased did not care to be seen with blood on him. Eventually deceased went to lie down above the embankment, and later, about 4 p.m., witness saw him going towards the Port. When witness left deceased on the embankment he seemed well able to take care of himself, and promised to go home, and then witness went home.
Thomas Jones, retired farmer, now living in Tasman-street, next door to the late Mr Lamb's house, stated that about a quarter to five be saw deceased walking towards Tahuna. Witness was in his car. Witness's wife said, "Hullo, Mr Lamb, what are you doing here?" but the reply was indistinct. Witness put his car out of gear, and waited a while, intending to give deceased a ride home. But deceased did not come back to the car and witness drove on. He noticed nothing peculiar about the deceased.
William Frederick Pellew, woodwork machinist, deposed that he saw deceased about 500 yards on the town side of the black stump on the Sands, walking briskly towards the Blind Channel, and smoking. This would be between 5 and 5.15 p.m. Witness sang out, "Good-night, Charlie!" Deceased waved his hand, and .said ''Good-night." Witness called to deceased to come down on to the hard sand, and looking back he saw deceased going on to the hard sand. There was no one on the beach after witness left, and he kept looking back to see if deceased was returning. Witness thought it strange for deceased to be on the beach so late. He knew deceased had had an accident. The tide was coming in very fast at this time.
James Hart, manager of the City Gasworks, deposed that he was on the Sands on Monday, and found the body of the deceased about 12 feet below high water mark, and 50 yards on the town side of the black stump. A constable arrived on the scene shortly after he found the body.
By permission of the Coroner, Mr Hart suggested that the chains should be continued along the Rocks Road wall, as the track was at present dangerous.
Constable Coles deposed that the body was half covered with sand, and the face was also partly buried in the sand. He had the body removed to the morgue.
This concluded the evidence.
The Coroner found that the death E was due to drowning. He was satisfied that deceased was dazed from his fall off the bicycle, and that he did not know where he was going. It was purely an accident due to injuries received to his head.
Mr Evans added that he would make representation to the Waimea County Council as to the danger of the Rocks Road track near where the bicycle accident occurred.
A DANGEROUS SPOT. (To the Editor.)
Sir, — The terribly sudden accident to and consequent death of our late townsman Mr Lamb, have aroused my apprehensions as to what may happen to anyone of us riding upon the sea wall cycle path in its present state of repair. I frequently pass along there on my cycle, and the large quantities of small gravel upon the tarred walk make my cycle wheels skid very often, and I know a gentleman who had, only this week, a nasty fall there from the same cause, which might have terminated fatally had he, too, been riding close to the edge, which no doubt Mr Lamb was doing when he fell over the wall. Surely, Sir, this very dangerous practice of putting gravel on a hard surface ought to be stopped; or, at the least, the gravel ought to be swept off immediately after the tar is dry. Why cannot sea or other sand be used instead of gravel? Several members of my family go along the path on. their cycles every day. and now I live in dread of an accident at any time, and only trust that you can get the danger stopped.
I am, etc., AN ANXIOUS MOTHER. -Nelson Evening Mail, 3/5/1911.
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