13453 Trooper John Benjamin Munro, (1915-14/12/1952). "the car went down the bank"

CRUSHED UNDER CAR

MAN AND YOUTH DIE FROM INJURIES

DRIVERLESS VEHICLE FALLS OVER BANK

(New Zealand Press Association) INVERCARGILL, December 14. 

Two persons were killed when a driverless car rolled over a 20ft bank on to a group of people on the Mitchell’s Bay beach at Riverton Rocks this afternoon. They were

Laurence Allan McLachlan, aged 16, of Nightcaps; and 

John Munro, aged 38, also of Nightcaps.

Laurence McLachlan was killed almost instantly. Mr Munro was seriously injured, and died in the Southland Hospital at 8 p.m. today. 

The two victims were sitting on the beach with the youth’s father, Mr Hendry McLachlan, and another Nightcaps man, Mr J. D. Aitken, when the car came over the bank on top of them. Mr McLachlan and Mr Aitken jumped clear before the car fell. 

The car had been parked outside a general store. The driver, Mr J. Ronald, of Thornbury, and his passenger, Mr N. Jenkins, also of Thornbury, had entered the shop. The car began to move, and travelled across the road. It was seen by a youth, Gerald Brand. He attempted to stop the car from going over the bank, but was unable to hold it. 

The car went down the bank front first, and came to rest against some rocks. It was not badly damaged, and came to rest on its wheels.

An inquest into the death of Laurence McLachlan was opened before the District Coroner (Mr. C. G. G. Sinclair) in Riverton this evening. It was adjourned after evidence of identification had been given.  -Press, 15/12/1952.

MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE

JURY FINDS YOUTH NOT GUILTY

(New Zealand Press Association) INVERCARGILL, May 20. 

James William Ronald, aged 17 1/2, a farm-labourer, of Thornbury, was found not guilty of manslaughter by a jury in the Invercargill Supreme Court today. Ronald was discharged by Mr Justice North. The jury added a rider that the place where Ronald stopped his car was a no-park area, which gave cars the right to stop for a few minutes. The jury said that parking should be prohibited altogether on the area in front of Gerken’s store, Riverton Rocks. 

The charge arose from an accident at Riverton Rocks on December 14, when an empty car ran over a bank and killed John Benjamin Munro, aged 37, of Nightcaps, and Laurence Allan McLachlan, aged 16, also of Nightcaps.  -Press, 21/5/1953.

Wairio Cemetery.

Robert John, (1874-3/9/1929) and Mary Jane (1878-22/7/1939) Dixon. "twelve hours without a break"

MINE FATALITY

WORKER BURIED BY FALL OF COAL. 

(By Telegraph — Press Association). INVERCARGILL, Sept. 6. 

A coronial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Robert John Dixon, a miner, who was killed in the Wairaki Coal Mine on Sept. 3rd, was held at Nightcaps to-day. A son of deceased said he was working with his father on the day of the accident. They picked up their tools at 5 o’clock and stood watching the stone coming from the job. Witness assisted the trucker with a box, and the fall occurred as he moved away. The falling coal struck witness and threw him clear, but completely buried his father.

In reply to a question by the Inspector of Mines, witness said the place was timbered with props three to five feet apart. Prior to the fall the props were all sound, and no shots had been fired in the face.

A verdict of accidental death, with no blame attachable to anyone, was returned.  -Hokitika Guardian, 7/9/1929.

OHAI NOTES

(From Our Correspondent.)

At the coronial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Robert John Dixon, who was killed by a fall of coal, Mr E. C. Smith (Gore), who appeared for the Wairaki Coal Company, stated on behalf of the directors and management that they wished to convey to all the employees their thanks for the magnificent manner in which they had toiled for twelve hours without a break until the unfortunate miner’s body had been recovered. Their thanks were also tendered to the kind people who had refreshments sent down the mine to the miners who were working at the scene of the accident.

The funeral of Mr Dixon took place on Saturday, the Rev. S. A. G. Hurd officiating. Before proceeding to the Anglican Church a prayer was offered by the vicar, and the hymn “Abide With Me” was sung. After a short service in the church the cortege, consisting of 30 cars, moved off for the Nightcaps cemetery, where an impressive ceremony was performed by Primo Price, of the Murihiki Lodge of the R.A.O.B. Visiting brethren from the Murihiku, Invercargill, the newly-formed Lodge at Bluff and local members were also present. Among the tributes of respect were a floral wreath from the management of the Wairaki Coal Company, artificial wreaths from the Ohai Choral Society, of which the deceased was a prominent member, the Ohai Anglers’ Club, which has lost one of the most enthusiastic members, as deceased was one of its founders, and worked with untiring efforts to enable it to reach its present high standard. A wreath from “Neighbours” was silent testimony of the high esteem and respect in which Mr Dixon was held in the community. There were also many other wreaths.  -Southland Times, 10/9/1929.

IN MEMORIAM.

DIXON — In loving memory of our dear husband and father, Robert John Dixon, who was accidentally killed in Wairaki Mine, Ohai, on September 3, 1929.

Treasured still with love sincere, As it dawns another year. 

— Inserted by his loving wife and family.  -Southland Times, T, 10/9/1931.

IN MEMORIAM.

DIXON — In loving memory of our dear husband and father, Robert John Dixon, who was accidentally killed in Wairaki mine, Ohai, on September 3, 1929. 

Loving thoughts, true and tender, Just to show we still remember. 

— Inserted by his loving wife and family.  -Southland Times, 3/9/1932.

DEATHS

DIXON. — At Ohai, on Saturday, July 22, 1939, Mary Jane, beloved wife of the late Robert John Dixon and beloved mother of Alexander Dixon and Mrs David Mills; aged 61 years. The Funeral will leave the Ohai Anglican Church at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, the 25th July, for the Nightcaps Cemetery. Friends please accept this (the only) intimation. — D. Sinclair, Funeral Director.  -Southland Times, 25/7/1939.

Wairio Cemetery.

Gavin Cockburn, (1889-20/6/1928). "the precariousness of a miner's life"

 MINER KILLED.

CRUSHED BY HEAVY FALL.

ROOFING COLLAPSED.

(By Telegraph — Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, Wednesday

Gavin Cockburn, a single man, aged 38, was killed by a heavy fall of coal in the Linton coal mine at Nightcaps to-day.

At the time of the accident Cockburn was working on "tops," removing the roofing of the mine to allow loose coal to fall. The roof collapsed and he was buried under about 200 tons of coal.

Other workers immediately made frenzied attempts to dig away the coal, but two hours elapsed before the body was recovered.  -Auckland Star, 21/6/1928.

MINER-KILLED

CRUSHED BY FALL OF COAL 

By Telegraph. — Press Association) INVERCARGILL, This Day. 

A distressing fatality occurred in the Linton coal mine at Nightcaps yesterday, when Gavin Cockburn, a single man, aged 38, and an experienced worker in the mine, was crushed to death by a heavy fall of coal. Cockburn was working on "tops," removing the roofing of the mine, to allow the loose coal to fall, when the roof collapsed, and he was buried under some two hundred tons of coal. Other workers immediately made frenzied attempts to dig away the coal, but two hours, elapsed before the body was recovered. The unfortunate miner had been fearfully crushed. The work on which he was engaged at the lime of the fatality is generally regarded its being dangerous, and it is undertaken only by experienced men.  -Evening Post, 21/6/1928.

LODGE WAIRAKI, NO. 145. NIGHTCAPS. 

THE BRETHREN of Lodge Wairaki, No. 145, are requested to assemble at the Lodge Room at 2 p.m. on SATURDAY, 23rd, to attend the Funeral of our late BRO. GAVIN COCKBURN. 

Members of Sister Lodges also invited. 

Dress: White Ties and Gloves. 

BY ORDER OF THE W.M.  -Southland Times, 22/6/1928.

MINE FATALITY

CORONIAL INQUIRY 

REMARKABLE ESCAPE OF EMPLOYEE 

WENT FOR DRINK OF WATER 

A story which tells of the constant risks to which a miner is exposed was unfolded at the inquest held at Nightcaps on Saturday on the death of Gavin Cockburn, who was crushed to death in the Linton coal mine last Wednesday. It was shown that had not the deceased’s mate gone away for a few seconds to get a drink of water, he too would have been buried beneath the fall. Another example of the tragedy of the occurrence was that the underviewer, whose duty it is to shoot down any dangerous blocks, was only a few moments off inspecting the deceased’s section when the fatality occurred. 

Mr G. Cruickshank, S.M., occupied the coronial bench, Mr Horace Macalister appeared for the mining company and Mr Gordon Reed for the Miners’ Union and the relatives of the deceased. Mr G. Duggan, the inspector of mines for the Otago-Southland district, was also present. 

James Grant, a miner employed by the Linton Coal Company, in his evidence, stated that on Wednesday, June 20, he was working on No. 2 section, south. The deceased, Gavin Cockburn, was working in the next section to him. Witness noticed deceased sounding his roof when he commenced work and several times afterwards. Immediately before the accident he came into witness’s working place and after staying there a minute or two he returned and commenced picking. Suddenly the coal fell, but it was so quick that he had no time to do anything. He called out: “Are you all right?” and Hazeldine answered: “Yes" and asked if Cockburn was with witness. On realizing that he must be under the fall, he and others dug him out. He was found face downwards and his body crumpled up. Witness thought about 40 or 50 tons of coal had fallen. 

Edward Cosgriff, a deputy employed by the Lint-on Coal Company, in his evidence, said: “I visited Cockburn’s place several times in the morning and again after lunch and found the roof quite all right. About half an hour after I met him the accident occurred. I then called for assistance and had the deceased dug out, which took about an hour.” 

To Mr Duggan: “Several times as I passed deceased was using the pricker bar to bar down coal. He was also using the pick at times on that face. The working place was supported by props, none of which had fallen out. I could not say how far from the lip the nearest prop would be. I had received instructions from the manager to see that the props were always up under the lip.” 

To Mr Macalister: “I was satisfied after my inspection that morning that the roof was adequately supported.” 

To Mr Cruickshank: “Cockburn was a good practical miner. The pricker-bar is a bar about 12 feet long with a spike at the end.” 

James Lewis, an underviewer employed by the Linton Coal Company, in his evidence, said that he was in charge of the section of the mine in which the fatality occurred. He had last been in the section in the morning of the previous day. At that time they had not broken through between that section and the next. In his opinion about 20 or 30 tons had fallen. In this case there seemed to have been no warning as to why the coal fell, but it was quite a usual thing if a fall was about to take place for the coal to make loud cracks. In this case there was a dry back where the coal came from, which had not shown itself before. The fall had come away in one piece. There were old “top-storey” workings, but there was 12 feet of coal between the old and the present workings. In the Linton mine the custom was to have the timbering as close up to the lip as possible. The lip would be triangular, about 16 feet high, 12 feet deep and 10 feet wide. There would have been about five or six feet of overhang from the present bank. Not having seen the mine before the accident, he could not say that there should have been a prop, but he thought that careful men like Cockburn and his mate would have put a prop there. No timber had yet been recovered from the fall. The men were allowed to put up as many props as they liked; there were plenty obtainable. The instructions from the manager were that all lips should be adequately timbered and that all lips should be timbered and within six feet of the edge. 

Horace James Burrell, a trucker, employed by the Linton Coal Company, said that on the Wednesday he was trucking coal only a few yards from where deceased and Hazledine were. He saw deceased picking at a piece of coal about two tons in weight, resting on Grant’s floor. He had no idea where the lump came from. 

Charles Hazeldine, miner of Ohai, said he had been a coal miner for the past 24 years in New Zealand. He had worked with de ceased for the past three months; deceased was an experienced and good miner. On Tuesday, June 12, deceased and he had started a drive towards the old workings. On Tuesday, the 19th, the back shift broke through. The roof in the old workings would be about 20 feet high, with what was known as a gallery about 10 feet high. Deceased examined the gallery and found that it had come loose. By “gallery” he meant the fall. Deceased tried to work it down with his bar, but he could not manage it so he left it. They commenced work at 12.30 and witness began filling boxes. Deceased continued picking at the gallery for about half an hour and then he left and helped witness to fill boxes. Witness then left to get a drink of water. He had been gone only five yards when he heard the fall and rushed back, calling to the Grant brothers. The fall would have caught witness also if he had not walked away. When they found the gallery would not come down by prising with the bar witness admitted that they should have blown it down, but as they already had 20 boxes to shift they thought they would leave the gallery till about 3 p.m., when they intended to blow it down and leave it to the night shift to fill.

To Mr Duggan: They had about six props in the drive. The nearest prop was about 10 feet from the lip before the fall. The prop must be buried in the fall. He saw no large lump of coal resting on the floor before the fall. He could not understand what Burrell was referring to. Deceased was inside the working towards Grant’s, in the older working. He had discussed the overhanging coal with Cockburn, but they had decided to leave blasting it away till three o’clock.

Cosgriff, recalled, said that the men could not shoot coal themselves; he made a round of the mine three or four times a day. He was just on the last of his round and preparing to visit Cockburn’s place when the fall occurred.

Summing up the case, Mr Cruickshank said it seemed to be a case of misadventure, showing the precariousness of a miner’s life. A statement made by the inspectors appointed by the miners themselves gave as their opinion that no blame was attachable to anyone. It was a very sad case; deceased had evidently been a fine man and in the prime of life. He offered his congratulations to Hazledine, who had had a wonderful escape.

The jury retired, and after a few minutes’ discussion, the following verdict was given: — “Deceased was accidentally killed by a fall of coal while working in the Linton coal mine on June 20, no blame being attachable to anyone.”  Southland Times, 25/6/1928.

Wairio Cemetery.

23630 Private Matthew William Spowart, (22/11/1892-22/9/1916). "very popular among his mates"

PRIVATE M. W. SPOWART. 

Private Matthew William Spowart, who succumbed on 22nd September to wounds received in action in France on September 16th, was a son of Mr and Mrs Matthew Spowart, Nightcaps, where he was born and educated. For some time Private Spowart was employed by the Nightcaps Coal Co., but subsequently joined the New Zealand Railway service, of which he was a member for five years before his enlistment in the 13th Reinforcements. At the time of his enlistment he was firing at Tuatapere. For several years he was a member of the Nightcaps Brass Band. Private Spowart was very popular among his mates and was esteemed by all who knew him.  -Southland Times, 3/10/1916.

Otago Witness, 11/10/1916.

Matthew Spowart died of a severe back wound at 5.10am on September 22, 1916. He suffered his wound on the 16th, a day during which the Otago Regiment was attacking German trenches in the Battle of the Somme.  Matthew was not with those attacking forces. His company, the 14th of the 1st Battalion, was detached as ration carriers on September 15th, while the rest of the Battalion moved up to trenches that the attacking force had set off from.  The 14th joined them later.

"At 10.20 a.m. on the 16th the 1st Battalion of Wellington occupied Grove Alley with ease, and pushed forward patrols in the direction of Goose Alley. By 10.45 a.m. the 1st Battalion of Otago, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel A. B. Charters, commenced to move forward to Switch Trench, and before 1 p.m. had reached and settled down there. In order to reach this position the Battalion had been forced to pass through a heavy barrage of fire, extending right along Switch Trench and from there back over the reverse slope to Tea Trench and its left extensions. The casualties incurred in effecting this change of positions for the attack were fairly numerous."  -Official History of the Otago Regiment.

The 1st Battalion made no further progress on the 16th, owing to lack of progress of the Division on their right.  On the night of the 16th it moved up to relieve another unit on the front line.  They did so without Matthew Spowart, who was admitted to a Field Ambulance on the 17th. He had been on active service for less than a month and died in the 1st Canadian General Hospital at Etaples, France.

Wairio Cemetery.

Thomas Blight, (1883-7/8/1919). "we in this tabernacle do groan"

NIGHTCAPS NOTES

Yesterday two accidents occurred, one at the Diamond Colliery and one at the Nightcaps Coal Co's loading stage. Mr Thos. Blight received injuries m the Diamond Colliery, and was attended almost immediately by Dr. Stewart, who happened to be in the township. His injuries are not reckoned as serious at present, whatever symptoms may develop later on.  -Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle,  6/5/1919.

Thomas Blight, a miner aged 36 years and married, died in the Riverton Hospital on Thursday evening from the result of injuries received while working in the Black Diamond Mine at Nightcaps on May 5. The body has been removed to Nightcaps where an inquest will probably be held.  -Mataura Ensign, 9/8/1919.

NIGHTCAP NOTES

 Mr Thos. Blight, who met with an accident in the Diamond Coal Company's mine some time ago, is not progressing, and anxiety is expressed at his condition. He is in the Wallace Hospital.  -Western Star, 5/8/1919.

DEATHS.

Announcements of Births, Marriages, and Deaths sent for publication from the country districts require to be certified by the signature of the Agent in the district from which the announcement is sent, or of the clergyman in the district. Charge of notice. 3/6 per insertion. Funeral notices are according to space and number of insertions.

BLIGHT. — At Riverton, on Thursday, August 7, 1919, Thomas, dearly beloved husband of Sarah Jane Blight, Nightcaps; aged 36 years.    -Southland Times, 11/8/1919.

NIGHTCAPS NOTES

Mr Thos. Blight died on Friday in the Wallace Hospital. His remains were brought to Nightcaps and interred in the cemetery on Sunday afternoon in the presence of a large gathering of his fellow workers and friends. Mr Sleep conducted the service at the graveside, the I.O.O.F., to which order the late Mr Blight belonged, also reading their service. The greatest sympathy is felt for his widow and four little children in their loss.  -Western Star, 12/8/1919.

On Sunday evening a Memorial Service was held in the Methodist Church in memory of the late Thomas Blight. The building, which was draped for the occasion, was filled to overflowing. Rev. W. E. Sleep took for his text: "For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened; not for that we be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life." (II Cor. 5.4.) The preacher, in an impressive and eloquent address, likened this life to a temporary tabernacle or tent whose purpose was only to give shelter and covering to the traveller for a limited period until the vale of death was crossed and eternal abode was taken in the House everlasting. The choir, under Mr J. H. Grant, rendered an appropriate anthem.  -Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle   26/8/1919.

Wairio Cemetery.

John Donald McLeod, (1875-13/1/1936). "under an overturned box"

MINE WORKER FATALLY INJURED. 

A fatal accident occurred yesterday morning at the Linton Coal Mine. A full box of coal ran over the jig-head, and severely crushed John McLeod, a married man, aged 60 years, who suffered a fracture of the right thigh and several broken ribs. He was conveyed in an ambulance from Ohai to the Southland Hospital, but died at 5 o’clock.  -Evening Star, 14/1/1936.

FATALITY IN MINE

EVIDENCE AT INQUEST

HEARING ADJOURNED 

(From Our Correspondent.) An inquest into the death of John Donald McLeod, miner, who was killed in a mine accident, was held at Nightcaps before the Coroner, Mr W. H. Freeman, S.M. Senior-Sergeant Kelly represented the police, Mr H. J. Macalister appeared for the relatives of the deceased, and Mr J. Hughes, inspector of mines, Dunedin, represented the Mines Department. 

Thomas Duncan, miner, Nightcaps, stated that he entered the mine as usual at 8 a.m. on January 13. He met the deceased at the working face and commenced work with him, working until 11 a.m. Deceased was making preparations, by boring a hole, to fire a shot and the hole was finished before 11 a.m. When the shot-firer, Thomas Thompson, arrived Thompson and deceased made further preparations, witness keeping on filling coal. When the shot was ready to be fired witness asked Thompson to wait until a full box of coal was brought down. The box was run down six or eight yards to the top of the jig at the top of the incline, the box being run to within one foot of the tap. The box was secured by one sprag in the back wheel, but witness could not say whether any block was placed across the line. Deceased was with witness at the box and went up to take down a ladder used in their work. Witness then went to another place one chain down the incline. Deceased stopped half-way down the incline and witness did not see deceased again until after the accident. The only protection was the place witness had gone into. The shot was then fired by the shotfirer and brought down a fall of coal and after a short pause more coal fell. Witness then heard a box running on the incline and next heard Thompson calling that someone was under a box. Witness rushed to see who it was and found deceased under an overturned box at the bottom of the incline. The box was a full one. Thompson and the Grant brothers were also on the scene. From then on everything that could be done for deceased was done and he was removed from the mine. It would be six feet from witness’s place of safety to the line and the place was screened off. Visibility was clear at the bottom of the incline when witness appeared. The sprag in the back wheel of the box would not hold the box owing to the steepness of the incline. 

Witness Examined. 

To Mr Macalister: It was witness’s first day in that particular section. It was usual to receive instructions when going into a new place, but witness did not know if deceased received any. Witness was on hand when Couchman arrived to lift the rails and heard him speaking to deceased. Witness had no recollection of the shot-firer asking if everything was all right prior to firing the shot, but it was probable that he would ask that. Witness did not consider the full box was properly secured. 

To Mr Hughes: Twelve boxes had been filled on the morning of the accident and run down the incline by the jig by Craig, a trucker. Witness had no specific instructions that the jig was not to be used and was under the impression that it was quite in order to use it. Witness could not say whether any blocks were on the box when it was lowered, but witness did not place any. Witness was there when the locality was examined the following morning and remembered the search for a block. It was not found.

To Mr Reed: Deceased would have had a better chance if a block had been used.

The Coroner: It is only a matter of commonsense that a block should have been there.

To Mr Macalister: It was usual for one man to be the leading hand and deceased was the leading hand in their party. 

Thomas Thompson, employed as acting deputy and shot-firer, said he entered the mine at about 8.30 a.m. and went to No. 4 section where deceased and Duncan were working. He went to McLeod’s gallery to inspect an overhanging shot left from the previous cable. It was considered necessary to bring this down and deceased proceeded to bore a hole, witness going on his round and returning at 10.45 a.m. Witness connected his cable and also warned nearby miners, Duncan, Sizemore and the Grant brothers. When witness fired the shot deceased was standing in front of witness on the empty line on the incline. After one fall of coal there was a pause, then another fall. Witness then heard a box running on the incline. Deceased was a few yards in front of witness, but must have gone on to the full rood when the box started running. Witness just saw the box as it passed and deceased was running in front of the box trying to get clear. The box must have caught deceased and carried him to the bottom of the incline where he was found beneath the overturned box. It was a double line jig. 

To Mr Macalister: Witness remembered asking if everything was all right before firing the shot, but he could not say whether any reply was received.

Working of Jig.

To Mr Hughes witness said he had only been appointed deputy on the morning of the accident. Witness was aware that the jig was working as a jig and had received instructions from Wilson, an underviewer, who had said it was intended to break the rood about two pair of rails back. As far as witness could see the men were in order to work the jig. It was a shot-firer’s duty to see that all persons nearby were in places of safety before firing a shot and as far as the actual shot was concerned these persons were safe. Witness was not in a position to see a stop block on the box, but knew of the regulations requiring blocks to be used. 

James Hunter Grant, a miner employed in the Linton mine, gave evidence that he had received warning that a shot was to be fired at 11 a.m. on January 13 and went to a place of safety until the shot went off. Witness heard a second fall of coal, but did not see deceased or the box until assisting after the accident. The visibility was not too good owing to the amount of coal brought down. 

Robert Craig, a trucker at the Linton mine, and Robert Wilson, who was acting as underviewer at the Linton mine on the date of the accident, also gave evidence. In reply to Mr Reed witness said it was a fact that there should have been two blocks in use. 

The inquest was adjourned to Invercargill where’ the evidence of Dr McNickle, superintendent of the Southland Hospital, will be taken.  -Southland Times, 7/2/1936.

Wairio Cemetery.

8/2501 2nd Lieutenant Norman Hall, (4/2/1892-13/6/1916). "one of the most popular"

 

When it became known yesterday that Lieut. Norman Hall, of Orepuki, was leaving for Trentham by the second express the executive of the Patriotic Committee decided, on behalf of the people of Southland, to present him with a pair of binoculars. Mr W. D. Hunt made the presentation and the recipient, who was unmistakably pleased and surprised, expressed his grateful acknowledgment. Lieut. Hall is to be attached to the Sixth (Southland) Regiment, Sixth Reinforcements.  -Southland Times, 13/3/1915.

PERSONAL NOTES.

Lieutenant Norman Hall, who was killed in action in France, was a son of Mr J. A. Hall, of Bay road, Invercargill, and was born at Nightcaps in 1892. As a boy he attended the Public School, and from there, passed his Junior Civil Service examination. Deciding to follow the profession of a school teacher, he started as pupil teacher in the Middle School, Invercargill. About five years ago he was appointed to the position of first assistant at the Orepuki School, and he remained in that position until his enlistment with the Sixth Reinforcements. Lieutenant Hall was one of the most popular officers in the Otago Infantry Brigade.  -Press, 21/6/1916.

Norman Hall died from a head wound. The Otago Regiment had not long taken up positions in the line in France and the intensity of trench warfare was different to their experience in Gallipoli.  It is possible that he was killed by a German sniper.

Wairio Cemetery.

Joseph William Armstrong, (1880-28/9/1911). "by a falling branch"

A deplorable accident occurred on Thursday morning at ten o’clock, whereby a bushman, Mr Joseph Armstrong, lost his life while engaged in falling timber for the Waimoamea mill. A tree in descent struck a kamahi, breaking off a limb which sprang with terrific force backward, striking the unfortunate man on the head breaking his neck; death being instantaneous. Mr Armstrong was a married man and leaves a widow and two young children, which adds to the distress of the sad accident. An inquest was held on Friday, before G. Cruickshank, Esq., Coroner. Evidence was given by Martin Cash, Denis Whelan, and Wm. Stott, manager of the mill at Waimoamea. A verdict was returned in accordance with evidence given — That Joseph William Armstrong was accidentally killed by a falling branch while bush falling at Waimoamea.  -Western Star, 3/10/1911.

THANKS. — Mrs Joseph Armstrong and Relatives. Orepuki, desire to Thank very sincerely the Orepuki Athletic Society, the Sawmill Workers' Union, Mr Armstrong's Workmates, and all kind Friends who have shown in any way expressions of sympathy in their sad bereavement.   -Otago Daily Times, 14/10/1911.

Orepuki Cemetery.

8/1390A Private Frank Forrester Adamson, (1892-2/5/1915). "never seen again"

The friends of Mr Frank Adamson, of Orepuki, will be pleased to hear that he has gained his B.A. degree, and has also been awarded the John Tinline scholarship for Senior English. Mr Adamson is an ex-pupil of the Southland High School.  -Southland Times, 28/3/1913.

Scholastic. — Several changes are being made in scholastic circles in this district. At the Wairoa School, which is being raised to the status of a High School, three recent appointments have been made. For the secondary department, which we hope to see opened at the beginning of February, Mr Frank Adamson, who comes with excellent testimonials from the Southland Boys' High School and the Otago University, was selected out of 18 applicants; Miss Donnelley, of Hastings, fills a vacancy; and Miss Jeffries, from Marlborough, receives a new appointment in the school.   -Otago Witness, 7/1/1914.

Letter from the Trenches.

LIEUTENANT DUTHIE'S DEATH.

PRIVATE PILLING'S EXPERIENCES.  (excerpt)

We remained in that part of the district for about ten days, the most of our time being spent in entrenching during the night, and sleeping us much as possible during the daytimes. Our company was in the firing line for a few days, in a position where we came under fire of the enemy, out where the enemy kept a terrific but futile fire over our trenches. We put m a bayonet charge one night, and it was during that charge that Frank Adamson (a fellow-student of Private Pulling's and M.A. of Otago University) went under.  -Bruce Herald, 19/7/1915.

No further word has been received regarding the fate of Mr Frank Adamson, of Orepuki. He took part in a night charge against the Turks on Gallipoli Peninsula, and was never seen again by his comrades after the enemy’s trench was reached. It is uncertain whether he was killed or taken prisoner. Mr Adamson left New Zealand with a batch of reinforcements for Egypt as Sergeant, but resigned his stripes to go to the front.  -Western Star, 17/8/1915.

A LETTER FROM GALLIPOLI

THIS SOLDIER'S LIFE. 

THE SIGHTS OF A NEW COUNTRY. 

WONDERFUL MILITARY ACTIVITY. 

THE LANDING AT GABA TEPE.   (excerpt)

Shortly after this at dusk we had our real baptism of fire and that by shrapnel. For perhaps an hour, perhaps less, till dark we lay unprotected from the burst of the stuff directly over and in front of us. Shrapnel you know bursts in the air and discharges from a case innumerable pellets which pepper an area of 200 yards by 20 wide. It has great searching power, and one is never quite sure when one is safe from it. We think very little of it now, but for days after we landed we had a most wholehearted fear of it. That first experience of it was one of the worst we’ve had. There would be a blinding flash overhead, a crashing report, and then the whistle of pellets. If directly under the burst one is comparatively safe as the burst is forward and downward. We lost several in that shelling. At dark it stopped. They never fire after dark as the flash betrays their batteries, and we crawled in one of the hollows we had scratched in the ground and entrenched. All firing stopped except for spasmodic bursts. Entrenched three times that night. First of all when I awoke from the nightmare found myself near Frank Adamson, and together we excavated. Later we were shifted into our correct places in sections and I mined near Podge. Later still was detailed for picquet and dug a place at the end of our line. Here we spent a fairly good night.  -Southland Times, 27/9/1915.

SERGEANT ADAMSON

Sergeant Frank Forrester Adamson, who is now reported as killed in action at the Dardanelles on May 2, was the fifth son of Mrs J. Adamson, Orepuki. He received his primary education at the Orepuki Public School. Gaining a Southland Education Board's scholarship, he entered the Southland Boys' High School and continued his studies there with success, almost gaining the honour of dux before he left. He was successful in gaining a junior university scholarship, and entered the Otago University to further pursue his studies, afterwards gaining a senior University as well as the Tinline scholarship for English. Success followed him, and he gained the diploma of B.A., and. afterwards M.A. At the time of enlisting he was 22 years of age, and was teaching in the Ashburton High School.  -Otago Daily Times, 8/2/1916.

Frank Adamson's death was arrived at as the verdict of a Court of Enquiry - one of many - held in early 1916 in Egypt. He has no known grave.

Orepuki Cemetery.

Robert Barrett, (1901-24/3/1934). "while tunnelling for gold"

GOLD MINER KILLED. 

While working a gold claim at Orepuki on Saturday, Robert Albert Barrett, a single man, aged thirty-three, was killed by a fall from the roof.

Death was due to suffocation. The body was found later by his mate, who was away panning the wash. Deceased was a native of Dublin, and arrived in the dominion as mate of the tug Southland. —lnvercargill Association message.  -Evening Star, 26/3/1934.

DEATHS

BARRETT — At Orepuki (the result of an accident), on Saturday, March 24, 1934, Robert Albert Barrett; aged 33 years. (Late first mate of Tug Southland). The funeral will leave the Anglican Church, at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, 27th inst., for the Orepuki Cemetery. Friends please accept this (the only) intimation. — E. W. Bone & Sons, Undertakers.  -Southland Times, 27/3/1934.

FALL OF EARTH

GOLD MINER’S DEATH

INQUEST AT OREPUKI.

An inquest touching the death of Robert Albert Barrett, who was killed at Orepuki on March 24 through being buried by a fall of earth while tunnelling for gold on his claim, was held at Orepuki yesterday afternoon before Mr E. C. Levvey, S.M., Coroner. Senior-Sergeant Packer represented the police and Mr R. Cross the Gold Miners’ Association, while the inspector of mines for Otago, Mr T. McMillan, was also present. 

Richard Mackrell, a gold-miner of Orepuki, stated that at about 11 a.m. on March 24 he was called to deceased’s claim by Horatio Horace Braid. On arrival he entered the drive and found the body of the deceased. He felt his pulse for any sign of movement, but there was none. Witness then proceeded to dig deceased out. His knees were bent up, he was lying on his back and he was covered with debris from the middle of the body down. Artificial respiration was applied for an hour, but it was unavailing. They also tried giving him a little brandy. Witness expressed the opinion that there was not sufficient timber in the drive, this being responsible for the fall. The weight of the mass of earth which fell would be about 4cwt. Deceased came to Orepuki about two years ago. He had been working about the district for that period and was a very clean-living man. 

Horatio H. Braid, aged 17, deposed that he was engaged in goldmining at Orepuki. He was working partner with the deceased. The claim was worked by tunnelling and was about a chain in from the surface, the height of the tunnel being about 4ft and the width 3ft 6in. There was an overburden of about 50ft. It was not a greasy claim. The face on which they were working was 2ft 6in of sand wash with lignite above. The tunnel was timbered with wooden rails running its whole length, the props being about four feet apart. The deceased put in the timber with witness’s help. Witness ran the soil out on the trolley while deceased did the mining. In an hour four trips would be made. Deceased always worked past the props and put them in after. He worked out from the end of the drive. No supports were put in till the floor was cleaned up. On March 24 they commenced work at 7.30 a.m., and at about 10.30 a.m. witness took out a load from the tunnel, leaving deceased at work. Witness returned at 10.45 a.m. The candle was still burning, but there was no sign of deceased. Investigation disclosed that there had been a fall of earth and witness found deceased with his legs doubled back underneath him. He had been kneeling and had fallen forward on his face which was crushed against the ground. There was a large lump of soil on his back weighing about 4cwt. Witness concluded his partner was dead. He moved the big piece from him and laid him on his back and then went for Mr Mackrell. 

Witness said that he considered himself a practical miner. He had been gold-mining for about three years. He considered the tunnel was safe. He was never afraid to go on with the work, though he had told the deceased he thought it might become dangerous. Another miner had said that the timber was too far apart, though it was safe ground to work. When witness left deceased at 10.30 a.m. he had cleaned up the floor and when he returned the fall had occurred. Deceased had picked out some earth in the interim, but witness could not say how much. He heard no fall. Witness said he considered he was competent to open a shaft and do the timbering, but he would, in the case of the mine concerned, have set about the timbering in a different way from that of the deceased. Had this been done he thought there would have been no accident.

Constable Skipworth, of Tuatapere, gave evidence of his examination of the body of deceased and of inquiries made relating to the fatality. 

The Coroner returned a verdict that the deceased was accidentally killed by being buried by a mass of earth which fell on him whilst he was working on his gold claim.  -Southland Times, 11/4/1934.

Orepuki Cemetery.