53224 Private Duncan James Matheson, (29/12/1893-10/1/1920). "found among the debris"

 ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS

A returned soldier named Duncan James Matheson (24) was accidentally burned to death at Birchwood on Sunday morning. Matheson was employed as an assistant at the Birchwood Dairy Factory, and resided in a four-roomed house owned by his employers. Shortly after 1 o'clock on Sunday morning the house was found to be in flames, which had too great a hold to be extinguished. The building was burned to the ground, and the charred remains of the deceased were found among the debris.  -Evening Star, 14/1/1920.

INQUEST

THE BIRCHWOOD FATALITY. 

On Monday an inquiry was held before. Mr W. J. A. McGregor, J.P., and a jury of six into the circumstances surrounding the death of Duncan James Matheson, who was burned to death at Birchwood on Sunday morning last. The deceased was a single man, 24 years of age and was employed as first-assistant at the Birchwood Dairy Factory. 

The evidence was to the effect that Matheson resided with the manager, Alexander Murray, in a four-roomed wooden house owned by the company. He slept in a room by himself on the east side of the house. The room was papered and on the wall near his bed was a bracket which the deceased used for putting his candle on. He was a heavy cigarette smoker and was in the habit of putting the ends of his cigarettes on this bracket. On January 10 at 8.30 p.m. deceased, in company with a man named John Nicholson, was at the factory until 11.30 p.m. He then went home. At 1.10 a.m. the fire was discovered by the manager who was awakened by falling glass and on going to the room occupied by the deceased he found it in flames. He called out to Matheson but got no reply. At that time it was the only part of the house burning, but owing to the strong wind the flames soon spread and demolished the house. The remains of the deceased were found among the debris.

A verdict was returned that the deceased was burned to death in the Birchwood Dairy Factory Company’s house, no blame being attached to anyone. The Coroner added a rider expressing sympathy with the parents on the loss of a son who was popular and respected in the district.  -Southland Times, 14/1/1920.

Observant readers may note that the date on Duncan's gravestone is different from that of his death. It is very rare but not unique.

Otautau Old Cemetery.