David Auld and Thomas Auld were charged on the information of the police with assaulting John Templeton at Blackball on July 2 by knocking him down and kicking him, rendering him unconscious.
Mr Kitchingham appeared for the accused.
John Templeton, sworn said that he had knocked off work at 2 p.m. on the day in question. He had gone home and stayed there till between 5 and 6 p.m. when he went to Kinsella's hotel and stayed there till nearly ten when he went homeward. He went with the two accused clown the road and did not know what happened till David Auld struck him above the face whereupon he tried to defend himself but, he did not succeed and was knocked down. Auld's wife came up and gave a scream when she saw them struggling and told Auld to desist and asked witness to get away which he tried to but was again knocked down and the two of them kicked him on the neck and shoulders and once above eyebrow. He lost consciousness during the assault and did not recover till he found himself at home.
Cross examined by Mr Kitchingham — he could not say how many drinks he had at Kinsella's nor did he remember having thrown a small glass of beer at the landlord because he refused to give witness a pint.
Louis E. Morgan said he was going home about ten o'clock on the night in question when he heard a woman's scream and he turned back, and came up to the place where Templeton was lying and before he got there he heard someone kicking or some such sound. The woman told him what had occurred (but this evidence was objected to by Mr Kitchingham). He had not seen Templeton kicked by anyone but there was half a pint of blood lying close by him and he was marked over the eye and blood marks were on his face.
He was cross-examined at length by Mr Kitchingham.
John Smith, a miner, said the first he heard of the affair was a woman screaming and he ran over and saw Templeton lying on the ground with the blood running off him. He did not see the two accused who he heard were on the footbridge but Morgan and the women were there. He said that as Templeton was in an unconscious condition it was no place for him and he went to fetch Constable Egan. Saw Templeton on the next day and noticed the mark on the eyebrow which had been bleeding.
To Mr Kitchingham. — Templeton was unconscious when witness went there first. He had a nasty cut above the eye and mark on the top of the head and there was a mark under the eye and the cheek was swollen, the eye being black. He was lying in the middle of the road and not in the water race. If he had fallen in the water race he might have sustained injuries. As it was he was covered with mud.
Before leaving the box Mr Smith said he wished to state that he had been accused of having written a letter to the paper about this affair and he wished to contradict this as he had written no letter. a
Constable Egan gave particulars of the affair after he had been called there by the last witness.
Detective Campbell said he was in Blackball enquiring into another matter and he enquired into this also. He saw the two Aulds. David said that Templeton was drunk before he left the hotel and Tom Auld admitted that he was too drunk to know anything that had taken place. The two women, Mrs James Reid and Mrs David Auld said they knew nothing whatever of the affair. Mr Kitchingham addressed the Court on behalf of his clients and the Court adjourned till 2 p.m. -Greymouth Evening Star, 25/7/1910.
The case was dismissed by the judge.
DEATHS.
AULD. — On the 15th inst. at Blackball, Thomas Auld, native of Scotland. Aged 35 years. Accidentally killed in the Blackball mine. -Greymouth Evening Star, 16/6/1911.
COAL MINING FATALITY.
THOMAS AULD KILLED.
A sad fatality occurred in. the Blackball mine on Thursday whereby a miner named Thomas Auld was killed, and his mate John Duggan seriously injured. From particulars to hand we learn that the two in company with a trucker named Bert Jackson, were working between heading's No 16. and No. 17. A sudden fall of debris overwhelmed Auld and Duggan, but Jackson had a miraculous escape, as he had just moved his truck from the spot where the fall came. Jackson immediately gave the alarm to the other miners working in the vicinity and they at once set about the work of getting out the covered men. It was at first thought that both were killed, but after the rescue work had been in progress a short time the workers heard the voice of one of them calling for help. They worked with redoubled vigour and they soon ascertained that Duggan had been providentially protected by a piece of timber which had been knocked away by the fall and which had formed a protection over him. He was soon got free, and it was found that with the exception of severe bruises on the body he had escaped without serious injury. He was at once conveyed on a stretcher to the miners' surgery, and was examined by Dr. Telford who had been promptly summoned as soon as the accident was known. It was found that the debris had caught Auld on the head and neck. After his body had been got out Dr. Telford used artificial respiration for half an hour but .without success. The only mark of injury was a bruise at the back of the head and Dr. Telford expressed the opinion that death was due to asphixia. The deceased, who arrived from Scotland three years ago, was about 35 years of age. He was. a single man and the sole support of his father and mother. -Grey River Argus, 17/6/1911.
BLACKBALL NOTES.
[OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]
FUNERAL.
The funeral of the late Thomas Auld, who was accidentally killed in the Blackball mine took place on Saturday afternoon in the presence of a very large assemblage, who had come from all parts of the Coast to pay their last tribute of respect to their deceased friend, who had made himself very popular during his residence on the Coast. The remains were followed by the members of the Masonic Lodge. At the graveside the Rev. Stewart conducted the burial service in a most impressive manner, while the most Worshipful Master, Bro. C. Mori, of the Masonic Lodge, very efficiently conducted the Masonic burial service. -Greymouth Evening Star, 22/6/1911.
BLACKBALL MINING FATALITY.
VERDICT OF ACCIDENTAL DEATH
[our own correspondent.]
The adjourned inquest touching on the death of Thomas Auld, who was killed in the Blackball Company's mine on Thursday last, was concluded on Tuesday at the Dominion Hotel before the acting-Coroner, Mr D. Armstrong. The following jury were impanelled: Messrs R. Gregory, A. Robertson, J. Stenhouse, J. Rhodes, J. Carruthers, J. Williams. Fr R. Greogory was chosen foreman. Mr H. Finch conducted the proceedings on behalf of the Union, while Mr W. Leitch, General Manager, Mr J. Hamilton, Underground Manager, and Mr Hannan conducted the case on behalf of the company. Mr Newton, Inspector of Mines, acted on behalf of the Mines' Department, while Sergeant Egan and Constable McIvor represented the Police. The jury, after hearing the evidence of both sides and a number of witnesses, which lasted about five hours retired and returned the following verdict: That the deceased, Thomas Auld, was accidentally killed by a fall of debris, no blame being attachable to anyone. The jury also added the following rider: That in their opinion, it would be safer to have pillar work done with a single pair of men instead of the double system as in operation at the present time. -Greymouth Evening Star, 22/6/1911.
IN MEMORIAM.
In loving memory of Thomas Auld, beloved son of David and Elizabeth Auld, who was accidentally killed in the Blackball mine on June 15th, 1911.
A precious one is from us gone, A voice we loved is stilled,
A place is vacant in our home, Which never can be filled.
God in His wisdom hath recalled, The boon His love had given,
And though the body lingers here, The soul is safe in Heaven.
Inserted by his loving and sorrowing father and mother, D. and E. Auld.
In loving memory of our dear brother, Tom, who was accidentally killed in Blackball mine, June 15th, 1911.
Yet again we hope to meet him, When the day of life is fled,
And in Heaven we hope to greet him, Where no farewell fears are shed.
Inserted by his sister and brother, Mary and James Reid. -Greymouth Evening Star, 15/6/1912.
FATALITY IN A MINE.
KILLED BY FALL OF COAL.
(Per Press Association.) WESTPORT. This Day. Mr David Auld, a married man, aged 50, was killed by a fall of coal at the Millerton mine this morning. -Ashburton Guardian, 24/10/1929.
Further particulars of the fatality yesterday whereby David Auld was killed in Millerton mine, state, the victim. of the mine accident was engaged at the time of the accident in the workings “dropping tops in the Number two, Mine. Suddenly, half a ton of coal fell from a height of fifteen feet upon Auld, and he was instantly killed. Both his legs were broken, also his ribs, and his scalp was severely injured. Deceased was married and he leaves a wife and a family of five (three sons and two daughters), to mourn their loss. He was fifty years of age. He had only recently resumed work consequent upon a minor accident received some time ago. The brother of the deceased, Tom Auld, was killed at the Blackball Mine, and yet another brother was fatally injured whilst employed on the railway at Upper Hutt. -Hokitika Guardian 29/10/1929.
MINE WORKER’S DEATH.
An inquest concerning the death of David Auld was held at Millerton before the Coroner, Mr E. R. Fox. After hearing considerable evidence he stated that it had been proved that there was no breach of the mining laws nor neglect on the part of any person. He returned a verdict that Auld’s death was due to injuries caused by being struck by a fall of coal in the Old Dip section of the Westport Coal Company’s mine at Millerton on October 24. -Star, 30/10/1929.
I have found no reference to or details of David Auld's funeral or last resting place.
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