Ronald Robert Adamson, (1883-6/7/1913). "a fatal affray"

A FATAL "KNOCK-OUT."

A SUNDAY AFFAIR

[Per Press Association.]

Hokitika, July 7

By a fatal affray at Harihari, South Westland, yesterday, Ronald Adamson, 30, son of Hugh Adamson, lost his life. As a result of a quarrel on Friday night, deceased and Samuel Godfrey, about 25, had a stand-up fight on Sunday, during which Godfrey knocked Adamson down. He is supposed to have struck his head on a stone, rendering him unconscious. He did not regain consciousness, and when a doctor arrived from Ross he declared that Adamson had been dead some hours. The police are investigating.  -Stratford Evening Post, 7/7/1913.

Mr J. G. L. Hewitt, District Coroner, and Inspector Phair left last night, en route to Hari-Hari (South Westland), where an inquest is to be held into the circumstances surrounding the death of Ronald Adamson. -Greymouth Evening Star, 8/7/1913.

MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE

HOKITIKA, 9th July. 

An inquest was held yesterday touching the death of Ronald Adamson, who died after a quarrel at Harihari, South Westland, on Sunday. After hearing evidence the Coroner brought in the following verdict: — 

"That death resulted from concussion of the brain caused by severe force applied to the back of the head, as though caused by a fall." 

Subsequently, a young man named S. J. Godfrey was brought before the Court on a charge of manslaughter, and was remanded to appear at Hokitika on Tuesday. Bail was allowed.  -Evening Post, 10/7/1913.

The funeral of the late Ronald Adamson took place yesterday, the remains being interred in the Greymouth Cemetery. The services were conducted in a very impressive manner by the Very Rev. Dean Carew and the large concourse of mourners present at the obsequies bore testimony to the sincere sympathy felt for Mr H. Adamson and the other relatives in their bereavement, which had overtaken them under such sad and tragic circumstances.  -Greymouth Evening Star, 10/7/1913.

SETTLING A QUARREL.

SEQUEL TO A DANCE. 

A FIGHT AND A FATALITY.

At the inquest which was held at Harihari on Tuesday concerning the death of Ronald Adamson (says a Greymouth report) it transpired that there had been some unpleasantness caused during the dancing of a "set" at Harihari on the Friday night over a partner. In consequence of this and from subsequent happenings of a pugilistic nature on the same night, arrangements were entered into between the deceased and S. J. Godfrey to "fight it out" on the Sunday morning. 

From the evidence it appears that the deceased, together with about 20 others, assembled at the school grounds and sent for Godfrey, who lived four miles away, asking him to meet the deceased and have it out. On the arrival of Godfrey both men took off their coats and shook hands. Some of the onlookers, together with Godfrey, asked "How are they going to have it — in rounds or to a finish?" Deceased, who said he would '"fight to a finish, dead or alive," struck the first blow, and the fight commenced. After they had fought for about two minutes, the deceased went down on his knees. He got up again and continued the fight. A minute or two later Godfrey delivered a swinging blow, which struck deceased on the head. He fell, striking his head heavily on the ground, and became unconscious. The deceased was taken to his uncle's accommodation house, and the doctor was sent for from Ross. The doctor arrived at between 8 and 9 o'clock on the Sunday night, but found that the young fellow had been dead 15 or 20 minutes prior to his arrival. 

By direction of the Coroner the doctor made a post-mortem examination, and in his evidence stated that the cause of death had been a clot of blood on the brain, which could have been caused by a blow or a fall, although there were no external marks on the particular part of the head where the clot was found.  -Auckland Star, 15/7/1913.

HOKITIKA MAGISTRATE'S COURT

TUESDA JULY loth. 

A CHARGE OF MANSLAUGHTER. 

(Before Mr. J. G. Hewitt, S.M.) 

Samuel John Godfrey was charged with unlawfully killing Ronald Adamson at Hari Hari on July 6th, under circumstances amounting to manslaughter. Inspector Phair appeared for the police and Mr. Wells for the accused. 

Evidence was given as follows: 

Hawthorn Hugh Adamson, storekeeper of Hari Hari, deposed. The deceased, Ronald Adamson, was his brother. About 11 o’clock on Sunday, July 6th, saw deceased and accused near his store. About fifteen others were present. Knew they were there for a light. Told his brother when the crowd were gathering round that he had better let the matter drop. But he did not answer. They shortly afterwards went down towards the school grounds, half a mile away. 

Witness followed down later on horseback. When he arrived he saw his brother and Godfrey fighting. Did not see many blows exchanged. Could see both men were done, and soon after his arrival saw his brother drop. He fell in a heap, but he got up, and then after continuing the fight, again he fell a second time, straight back. He did not know what caused the fall or what part of the deceased first struck the ground. Witness was excited at the time. Where deceased fell was on the side of the school building facing the river. The ground was smooth but very hard. Deceased did not get up. Went to see what was the matter with him, and spoke to him but did not receive any answer. Then helped to carry him into the school and laid him down. Opened his clothes and did what they could for him for an hour and then took him in a cart to Mr. John Adamson’s house and laid him on a bed.

After arriving there, his brother, with assistance, sat up in bed and vomited and then laid back on the bed. He thought the ride in the trap had improved him but deceased did not recover and remained unconscious until he died about 8.30 that night. Rang up the doctor at Ross about 2 o’clock who arrived about ten minutes to nine that night.

Witness did not know from his own knowledge, what was the cause of the fight. There were between twenty-five and thirty present at the fight. Did not know of any ill-feeling existing between deceased and accused prior to the affair. 

To Mr. Wells: His brother was not in bad health at the time. His brother was a determined fellow, and not likely to take the advice of any one, but to go his own way. Before the last fall both men seemed to he done. 

Jens Jensen Hende, labourer, of Hari Hari, deposed: He was at the dance at Hari Hari Hall on July 4th. Deceased and accused were there. On Sunday heard there was to be a fight. Went to the school ground about 11.30 a.m. Saw Godfrey and deceased and several others there. The two men agreed to fight there and took off their coats. The crowd formed a ring. Godfrey asked what it was to be, rounds! Adamson replied: “A fight to a finish.” They then shook hands. Ronald Adamson asked someone to see fair play. After several were asked to act and refused, Charles Davey finally agreed to act as referee, after refusing six or seven times.

The men then shook hands and commenced the fight. Did not know who struck the first blow. Saw a number of blows struck. During the progress of the fight Ronald Adamson overbalanced and went down from a blow on the side of the head, not a knock-out blow. The deceased fell on his back. A couple of the onlookers helped him up. He was all right after the first fall. The fight was resumed. Several blows were struck by both men and Adamson went down again, with a blow past the right ear, a glancing blow. It was a hit heavier than the blow that caused the fall. They were square on at the time. The deceased fell slightly on the right side of his shoulder, striking the ground before his head. 

There were no stones about, but the ground was very hard and fairly dry. Heard a thud when deceased fell. He seemed to be out. They gave him air and fanned him. They left him there for a while and then carried him into the school and sat him on a form with his back against the wall. He was in the school for half an hour. He did not speak. 

After half an hour in the school they put deceased on a mattress, and worked his arms a little. Did not hear him speak during the 1 1/2 hours he was there. They then took him away in a cart. 

Did not hear any attempt to stop the fight after the first time that Adamson went down. The fight lasted for about 4 1/2 minutes. Heard a groan when deceased fell the second time, a sound as if he was trying to get his breath.

To Mr Wells — He did not think the blow that knocked Adamson down tire second time was hard enough to do so unless he was off his balance. The fight was a perfectly fair one. The men appeared to he friendly on the way down to the school. The deceased did not look to be in good health before the fight. 

Alexander Jamieson, settler of Hari Kari deposed — On Sunday, July 6th, Mr Davey came to witness and said that as he was coming past Adamson’s store some men called out to him to tell Mr Godfrey that Mr Adamson was waiting for him at Adamson’s store. Witness then went into the house and told Godfrey. Godfrey said he did not want to go down as he did not want to have any more to do with the row. Godfrey then said if he did not go down they would call him a coward. Godfrey was in bed at the time. He then got up and after dressing went to the store. Witness also went down. After some time he saw Godfrey and deceased talking together and the latter asked Godfrey — “Are you ready.” Did not hear Godfrey reply. Heard deceased propose to go down the road. They all went together. They did not pick any place to go to till they got to the school when Adamson said we will go in here and they all went in after the two men. They chose a place so that the school obscured the view from the main road. The ground was pretty hard. Witness suggested some one to see fair play be appointed. Several were asked to act, but declined, and ultimately Charles Davey said he would see fair play. They shook hands and shaped up. The deceased struck the first blow, hitting Godfrey on the cheek. They exchanged blows and had only been fighting a few moments when Adamson fell on his knees. He thought the fall was caused by want of condition. He did not notice any particular blow to send Adamson to his knees. He got up again and they had a rally and a clinch and Mr Davey separated them. They then continued when Godfrey hit Adamson on the side of the right cheek. The latter appeared To give way at the knees and fell heavily on his back with his head down hill, the body and head striking about the same time. The ground was gravelly and hard. Adamson did not get up and some present lifted him and tried to bring him to, afterwards carrying him into the school. They bathed his face and head with water and loosened his clothing. He seemed to got a little better, but did not speak, breathing very heavily. A little later he was taken in a cart to J. Adamson's. 

To Mr Wells — On the Saturday before the fight Adamson and witness I were talking during dinner at the protection works, when deceased referred to the trouble between him and Godfrey. Witness told him had better settle it, but deceased replied no, he would fight him to a finish. Godfrey walked 3 1/2 miles from witness’ house to where the fight took place. The last blow of the fight did not strike hard enough to knock a man down. The deceased seemed exhausted and out of form. At the beginning of the tight Adamson had the best of it and punished Godfrey, hut later became exhausted.

AFTERNOON SITTING. 

The Court resumed at 2.30 p.m. 

Alexander Askew, labourer at Hari Hari, deposed — On Sunday, July 6th, at Jamieson's boarding house, he was present when Davey came with a message that Godfrey was wanted at Adamson’s store. Witness gave the message to Godfrey who was just up. He said at first, "I won’t go,” and then he said he had better go or they would call him a cur. Witness told him to please himself, but he would not fight unless it was compulsory. Went with Godfrey to the store. When there heard Adamson ask Godfrey where he was going to have it. Godfrey replied: “Just as you like.” They then decided to go down the road. Witness corroborated the evidence as to the procedure before the fight, stating that in reply to an enquiry as to how the fight was to take place. Adamson replied— To a finish, dead or alive. Godfrey did not say anything. Witness thought that the fall was occasioned partly by slipping and partly by a blow. When deceased first fell he went down on his knees and hands. Did not think Adamson was assisted up. Shortly afterwards deceased again fell. About two minutes had elapsed since the first fall. Could not say what caused the second fall. A blow had been delivered on accused’s face and immediately after the latter fell. Do not think the force was sufficient. Adamson appeared to collapse, his knees giving way and his head went straight back. Witness thought that as far as he could see, that deceased’s head struck the ground first. Deceased fell very heavily and made no attempt to get up. The formation of the ground was very hard. Heard accused groan after he fell. Witness then endeavoured to retsore animation by moving Adamson’s arm. Spoke to deceased but received no answer. Adamson then appeared to be unconscious. There seemed to be little strength in his arms. Continued moving the arms without any good results. Adamson was then carried to the verandah of the school. At that time he was breathing heavily. No attempt was made to stop the fight on Friday night prior to the fatality when deceased had hit Godfrey. This occurred outside the Public Hall on the road. Did not know of any reason why Adamson should have hit accused. Deceased had offered to fight Godfrey for L5 or L50 any time the latter liked. At the time Adamson made the statement both men were a little the worse for drink. Witness was satisfied that ill-feeling existed on Adamson’s part right up to the time of the fatal fight. Did not think that such was the case as far as Godfrey was concerned. On the day before the Sunday witness had asked Adamson to let the matter drop, but deceased refused. The two men were quite sober on the Sunday morning when the fight took place. 

Cross examined by Mr. Wells: Did not think that the second fall was occasioned by the blow. Adamson urged on the fight all the time. Godfrey did not do so. Adamson was a hot headed and determined man.

Doctor deposed, he was called to Hari Hart on Sunday 6th inst. Deceived the message in the afternoon between 2.30 and 3 o’clock. Arrived at Hari Hari at 8.45 and made a superficial examination of the body of deceased. There were small abrasions on the face; one on the chin and another on the right cheek, also one on the neck. The abrasions may have been the result of some force applied to the face. Witness saw no swelling or colouring round the abrasions. These were the only injuries he observed. Held a postmortem examination on Tuesday 8th July. Deceased’s lungs and heart were found to he healthy, the liver was flabby and the other organs normal. On opening the skull cap on the right side witness found a clot of blood under the coverings of the brain. There was no fracture of the skull, which was of normal thickness. Hemmorhage under the coverings of the brain caused compression of the brain. The conditions were caused by a blow on the exterior. Could have been caused by a fall. It was manifest that the injury had been recent and could not have been the result of natural causes.

Cross examined by Mr. Wells: Witness was of opinion that the life of deceased could not have been saved if a medical man had been in attendance from the outset. Considered that the abrasions were not caused by heavy blows, but was of opinion that these were sufficient to knock a man off his legs according to the way he was standing. Do not think the result would have been the same if some force had not been used. 

Constable Cruickshank deposed, he arrived at Hari Hari between 6 and 7 a.m. on the 7th inst. After giving corroborative evidence witness here detailed the circumstances which led up to the arrest of Godfrey. On going into the bedroom where accused was in bed the latter said, “I suppose you have come to take me.” Witness replied. “Yes, I must take charge of you. I suppose you know what for.” Accused replied, “Yes I expected it; I know all about it.” Witness then asked Godfrey to get up and get dressed. After accused had had breakfast witness took him to Adamson’s. Accused asked witness how he stood and witness replied that he was charged with manslaughter in the meantime and that he would be detained until further inquiries were made and the inquest was over. 

Cross examined by Mr. Wells: Godfrey appeared to be very much cut up about the affair.

This closed the case for the prosecution. 

Mr. Wells submitted that there was no case against the accused and he asked his Worship to dismiss the case. He that if the case were sent to the higher court the jury would throw it out.

His Worship: “That may be so, but what I have to do is to decide whether there is a prima facie case of manslaughter.” Under the circumstances he was very sorry for the young man but like grand juries and common juries he had his duty to perform and said that there was nothing for him to do but to commit accused for trial. 

Accused pleaded “not guilty” in answer to the charge and said he had nothing to say. He was committed to take his trial at the next sessions of the Supreme Court at Hokitika. Bail was fixed at £300. Accused in £100 and two sureties, Messrs Jones and McIntosh, £100 each.  -West Coast Times, 15/7/1913.

At his trial Godfrey was found not guilty of manslaughter.

Karoro Cemetery, Greymouth. {Photo from "findagrave."

Agnes Isabel West (Daisy) Wilson, (1864-13/11/1922). "saving her sister"

FALL FROM RAILWAY BRIDGE

DROP OF TWENTY FEET. ELDERLY LADY’S DEATH. 

Two elderly ladies, Miss Daisy Wilson, of Evansdale, and Mrs Edith Bunce, of Perth avenue, Dunedin, fell from a railway bridge near Evansdale yesterday morning, and incurred injuries which necessitated the removal of both, to the Dunedin Hospital, where Miss Wilson died last evening. It appears that Mr Bunce and his wife reached Evansdale by train at about 10 o’clock, and that he there left his wife, who set out to visit her sister, Miss Wilson. He thinks that Miss Wilson and his wife then left to walk to Warrington to attend a service in the Anglican church there. Later he heard that they had met with an accident and were both in Dunedin Hospital. 

From what can be ascertained, it seems that the two ladies were walking over the bridge when an engine returning to town from Seacliff came in view. They were seen by the driver, who at once applied the emergency brakes and reversed his engine. When it had stopped it was about the place where he saw the ladies, who were then on the road below, a drop of about 20ft from the bridge. Neither the driver nor the fireman thinks the engine struck them, but is of the opinion that they either jumped or in their excitement fell from the bridge. As the sleepers of the bridge are too close together for the ladies to have fallen between them, it is evident that they went over the side. Dr Borrie, of Port Chalmers, was called, and reached the scene of the accident at 11.45. Both the ladies were badly injured, and were brought to town by ambulance and admitted to the hospital at 5.15 p.m. Miss Wilson, who was badly shaken and suffering from spinal injuries, did not rally, and died about 6.45 p.m. Mrs Bunce was also badly shaken and bruised, but this morning was reported to be improving. 

The engine which came upon the two ladies went to Seacliff from Dunedin yesterday morning to assist the express. At Seacliff it was detached, but as there was no turntable at Seacliff it had to proceed to Waitati with the tender in front of the engine. There is a slight bend in the line near the bridge, at the approach to which the engine is said to have been travelling about ten miles an hour. George Boland Syder was the driver, and John Connor fireman of the engine. 

The coroner (Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M.) has been informed of the death of Miss Wilson, and will hold an inquest tomorrow morning. It will be opened at the hospital at 9.50, and then adjourned to the court at 10.30. Deceased was about fifty years of age.  -Evening Star, 14/11/1922.

DEATHS

WILSON — On November 13th, at Dunedin (the result of an accident), Agnes Isabel West (Daisy), the beloved sister of Peter A. N. Wilson, of Evansdale; in her 58th year. Deeply mourned.  -Evening Star, 14/11/1922.

Warrington Cemetery.

Warren William Shaw, (1943-25/12/1955). "was thrown off"

MAN AND BOY MISSING

Death By Drowning Feared 

SWEPT FROM HORSE IN RIVER 

(New Zealand Press Association) INVERCARGILL, December 26. 

A man and a boy are believed to have been drowned in the lower Hollyford Valley about 5.30 p.m. on Christmas Day. They are:

David Gunn, aged 68, a station owner of Martins Bay and one of the best-known men of the Southland and Otago back country. 

Warren William Shaw, aged 12, a son of Mr and Mrs J. Shaw, of Seacliff Village.

They are thought to have been crossing the Hollyford river on horseback when the horse stepped into a hole and they were swept away by the rapid-flowing river. There were four persons in the party, which was packing stores to one of the huts on the tourist tracks operated by Mr Gunn. When Mr Gunn's companions saw the accident, one left for the nearest hut and drove a jeep to Te Anau, arriving in the early hours of this morning. Word was sent to Invercargill, a search party was organised quickly, and men under Sergeant E. H. Clark, of the Invercargill police, left for the area.

Late to-night the search party reached Hidden Falls hut, three hours and a half tramp from the end of the lower Hollyford Valley road. There, the party camped for the night and expects to reach the scene of the accident early tomorrow morning, setting up a base camp at Pyke Hut, four hours further down the valley. 

Mr J. Shaw, the boy’s father, left Seacliff immediately on receipt of the news and joined the search party. The search party, which consists of members of the Southland Search and Rescue Organisation, is equipped with radio and has set up a base station on the divide between the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys. 

Tourist Development 

Mr Gunn is probably best remembered for the development of tourist tracks in the country between the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys and Martins Bay and Big Bay, and between these bays and Lake Wakatipu. He did not open the tracks, but made them available to tourists by erecting huts and providing guides and horses for the longer journeys. He made a remarkable journey in the 1936-37 holiday season to summon help for the five occupants of an aircraft which crashed at Big Bay on December 30, 1936. He made the trip from Big Bay to the Public Works establishment at Camp on foot, in 21 hours. Experienced trampers took between three and four days on the same journey. 

A stone plaque in a cairn at Marian Camp commemorates his journey, which was recognised as a magnificent feat of endurance. In addition to his tourist business, Mr Gunn had a cattle run with between 500 and 600 head of cattle at Martins Bay. He took over the run originally from members of the McKenzie family. Most years he brought a mob of cattle down to Southland for sale, a drive of 180 miles.

Mr Gunn was the victim of a serious accident in September, 1950. when he fell over a 300ft cliff in the Darran Range. He landed on a ledge only 12 feet below the brink, dazed and bruised and suffering considerable pain. He spent the night on the ledge before he was discovered.

Mr Gunn is survived by his wife, one son. Mr Murray Gunn, of Invercargill. and two daughters. Mrs I. Findlay, of Christchurch, and Mrs I. Parlane, of Tawa Flat.  -Press, 27/12/1955.

Search for two bodies continues

INVERCARGILL, Dec. 27 (PA). –– The bodies ok Mr. David Gunn and 12-year-old Warren William Shaw, who are thought to have been drowned in the lower Hollyford Valley on Christmas Day, had not been found by the search party by tonight. Twelve, under Sergeant E. H. Clark, of the Invercargill police, are searching the rugged country. The remoteness of the area has held up detailed information from the party, but Sergeant Clark, in a brief message tonight, said that no trace had been found and that the search continues. 

More information is slowly coming to light about the tragedy. It appears that Mr. Gunn had made the same trip some days before when the hole in the river was not there. A fresh in the river had scoured the hole into which Mr. Gunn fell. Warren Shaw left his horse in an endeavour to swim to the bank. After a few yards he also went under and did not reappear. 

One of the other two members of the party, who were waiting on the far bank with the other pack horse, stripped to go into the water but the tragedy happened so quickly that it was all over in a few moments. The river was flowing swiftly and was not clear tonight. 

Early messages have said that it was the Hollyford River, but reports tonight have suggested that it may have been the swift-flowing Pyke River which flows into the Hollyford. The Pyke is much more dangerous and treacherous than the Hollyford and flows through more rugged country.  -Evening Post, 28/12/1955.

Boy’s Body Flown To Invercargill

INVERCARGILL,. Today (PA). –– The body of Warren William Shaw, the 12-year-old boy who was drowned in the Hollyford River on Christmas Day, was brought to Invercargill this morning by amphibian plane from Lake Alabaster. It was found at 4 o’clock yesterday afternoon between the Pyke River and Lake McKerrow, but the body of Mr. David Gunn, 68-year-old Martin’s Bay station holder who was thrown into the river with Warren from a horse, has not been found. The search will continue to-day as the party makes its way out of the Hollyford Valley. 

An inquest into the circumstances of the boy’s death was opened this afternoon in Invercargill.  -Evening Post, 30/12/1955.

DROWNINGS IN HOLLYFORD

TRAGEDY AT FORD DESCRIBED 

MAN’S BODY NOT YET FOUND 

(New Zealand Press Association) INVERCARGILL, December 30. 

How a man and a boy were drowned in the Hollyford Valley on Christmas Day was described in Invercargill today at an inquest into the death of Warren William Shaw, aged 12, of Seacliff Village. 

Although the main search party has left the Hollyford area, a small party is still searching for the body of David Gunn, aged 68, a well-known station owner, of Martin’s Bay. 

The boy’s body, which was found at 9 a.m. on Thursday, was brought to Invercargill today by amphibian aircraft from Lake Alabaster. The aircraft reached Invercargill at 7.25 a.m. 

One of the party of four which was attempting to cross the Hollyford river when the tragedy occurred, Paul Trevor Riley, of Timaru, gave evidence at the inquest today. The inquest was then adjourned sine die.

The party, which included Jack Jenkins in addition to the two victims, was leading three packhorses from Hidden Falls Hut, said Riley. At Lew Ford, Jenkins rode his horse across first, and Gunn, with Warren Shaw behind him on the saddle, followed. Mr Riley brought up the rear. Half-way across the ford, which was about 30 yards wide. Gunn’s horse stumbled and fell, said the witness. The boy was thrown off, and the horse rolled on to Gunn in the water. While the horse was down, the boy was able to stand, but when the horse got to its feet, the current swept him away. 

The boy immediately struck out for the bank, and Riley watched him until he was about 150 yards downstream. 

The witness said one of Gunn’s feet apparently caught in a stirrup. Gunn was released only when the girth strap of the saddle broke, and he was swept away. 

Riley told the Coroner (Mr W. Grieve) that he knew Gunn could not swim. The witness took one bank of the river and Jenkins the other, and they searched for two hours without finding any trace of the bodies. The river was snow fed and icy cold, and it was possible to remain in it for only a short time before developing cramp.

At the ford, said the witness, the river was about three feet deep, but it was much deeper below the ford. The river was well below its normal level The boy's body was found tangled among some stumps, seven yards out from the bank, and 150 yards downstream from the ford. 

The main body of the search party led by Sergeant E. Clark, of Invercargill, left Hidden Falls Hut at 1 p.m. today. It is expected back in Invercargill tomorrow.  -Press, 30/12/1955.

Warrington Cemetery.

Gideon Williamson, (1830-8/8/1888). "opening up the skull"

SLIPS ON THE RAILWAY LINE.

A MAN SERIOUSLY INJURED.

Further slips, the result of the third deluge of the winter, took place yesterday on the line between Dunedin and Oamaru, with the results that the express from the North was intercepted, and, worse still, a man working on the line in the neighborhood of Purakanui was seriously injured. The man’s name is Gideon Williamson; he is a platelayer residing at Blueskin. It appears that since the slip of about three weeks ago small quantities of stuff have occasionally come down in the neighborhood of the Cliffs, and men have been told off to keep the track clear. Williamson was one of these men, and while occupied in helping to repair a small breakaway at the long embankment just to the south of Purakanui, a stone rolled down, apparently out of the bush, and struck him on the head, with the result that the skull was severely fractured. On hearing of the accident Mr Grant sent a special train to the spot conveying Dr Roberts, and the sufferer was brought to town and lodged in the hospital, where he was further attended by Dr Roberts and Dr Fleming. The poor fellow had not recovered consciousness this afternoon.  -Evening Star, 7/8/1888.

It was between the time when the 4.10 p.m. train from Dunedin passed and 7 p.m. that the rock slip occurred at the Purakanui cliffs. Traffic was at once stopped, and men sent to clear away the debris. While they were working at this slip they heard another slip coming down farther up the line, and one of the men went to see what had taken place. After proceeding a little way he met a surfaceman (Gideon Williamson) walking towards him, lamp in hand. He accosted him but received no reply, and then on looking at him more closely he saw blood running down his face. He then took hold of Williamson, and calling for help some of his mates came up, and between them they carried the injured man to the house of the watchman. It was there ascertained that he had been struck on the head by a falling stone, which had caused a terrible wound extending from the forehead to the back of the head, and completely opening up the skull. The accident happened about 8.30 p.m., and rendered the man quite senseless. Even while walking along the line with the lamp in his hand he was quite unconscious, and it was with the greatest difficulty that the men afterwards removed the lamp from his grasp. As mentioned in our report yesterday no time was lost in conveying, the sufferer to the Dunedin Hospital by special tram. Williamson, who is a powerful man in the prime of life, is highly spoken of in the district. He has a large family, most of whom are grown up. He was visited by several doctors in the hospital yesterday, and from what we can learn there is little chance of his recovery. 

Men were kept working at the slip till midnight, and it seems extraordinary that further accidents did not take place, as stones were coming down in different places, and from a great height, nearly all the time. The men it is understood, are getting rather chary of this night work at the cliff, and it really seems as it very little is to be gained by it, while the danger to life and limb is by no means small.  -Otago Daily Times, 8/8/1888.

Gideon Williamson, who was injured by the slip on the railway line near Purakanui on Monday afternoon, died at 3.15 this afternoon. An inquest will he held in due course.  -Evening Star, 8/8/1888.

THE FATALITY AT THE CLIFFS.

The circumstances attending the death of Gideon Williamson were inquired into this afternoon, at the hospital, by Coroner Carew and a jury of six, David Dawson being chosen foreman. The following evidence was given: 

William Williamson, farmer, residing at Catlin River, said that the body just shown to the jury was that of his father, Gideon Williamson. Deceased was born in Shetland, and had been thirteen years in New Zealand. He had been employed as a surface-man on the railway line for eight or nine years. He had been for the last six years working with the one gang on the Purakanui section, and had been working about the Cliffs for three years before that. He followed a seafaring life in the Old Country. Witness had worked on the same section of the railway for some time. It was quite common in time of rainy weather for slips of stones to be dropping here and there. The workmen knew that they had to keep a look-out to avoid accident. Deceased was fifty-eight years of age last birthday. He left nine children alive. 

By the Jury: While witness was working at this part of the line it was the practice to keep someone on the look-out for stones and slips, so as to protect the workmen.

William Seguin, laborer, had been working for the Government at quarrying, and was occasionally employed as ganger. On the 6th inst., at night, witness and Thomas Ansford were employed clearing away a small slip on the railway line at peg 222 three chains south, at the Cliffs, on the south side of the watchman's house. Subsequently more men joined them from Waitati; he thought there were five and the inspector Lee. Witness and the others were working under Inspector Lee's instructions after he arrived. The work was shovelling earth and rolling stones over the side. The cliff was to the west of the workmen. It was dark, and they had lanterns, which gave a good light. Witness believed that the inspector himself was keeping a look-out. The watchman at the Cliffs was also with them. This slip was cleared off the line; and witness, who had one of the lamps at this time, went south to see if the line was clear, as the Northern express was expected. He had proceeded about two and a half chains when he saw a light coming north. He sang out "Look out!" as he heard some stuff coming from the face. The man took no heed, but crossed over from the outside to the inside rail — to the dangerous side, near the cliff. Witness went over as quickly as he could and then saw that it was Gideon who had the light. Witness only knew him by that name. Witness went right up to him, as he was standing on the middle of the Hue. Witness saw blood on Gideon's face, and, seeing that he was hurt, called out for assistance to John Criss, who came with others. [Left sitting.]  -Evening Star, 9/8/1888.

THE FATALITY AT THE CLIFFS.

The following concludes our report of the proceedings at the inquest on Gideon Williamson, which concluded at 5.15 p.m., yesterday.

William Seguin, continuing, said that when he came up to Williamson on the line he held up the lantern to the latter's face, and noticed that the blood on it seemed to be dry; and from this fact witness concluded that the accident had happened some time before he saw him, not from the slip that witness saw. Witness spoke to Williamson, but got no reply; he did not seem to understand. The men took Williamson back to the watchman’s house, and from thence he was removed to Dunedin. A doctor came by special from Dunedin, and saw Williamson before he was removed. After Williamson was taken to the watchman s house witness went south along the line and looked to see if he could find his hat, and at the same time to note whether the line was clear. Witness saw no cause for the accident at that time, but next day when clearing away the line he found some blood on the ballast. That was about half-a-chain south of the place where witness had met Williamson the night before. At that point some fine stuff had been washed down on to the line. There had been no big fall, but witness noticed stones that had evidently come from the cliff. Some of these might be as large as one’s fist, or perhaps a little larger. They were scattered here and there. Deceased must have been injured by a single stone falling on him. Single stones that come down on the line generally land in the table, between the inside rail and the cliff, but some pitch inside the rails. Witness did not consider this very dangerous work, but by an odd chance a man might be hit. The work was only dangerous in bad weather. Witness was accustomed to such work, and was not afraid of it. When stones are coming down there is mostly a warning, because a lot of small stuff comes first. 

By the jury: The slip that came from the place where the accident occurred was only a small patch from the edge of the cliff; witness did not think that the stone that did the injury came from the slope above. 

Henry Read, ganger of the platelayers, left work at 5 p.m. on the 6th inst. Deceased had been at work all day. Before witness left he told deceased that he was to watch a small slip that had come down at 222 miles 20 chains. He was to keep the line clear; or, if there was more work than he could do, he was to hang danger signals out and go for assistance. Deceased was accustomed to that sort of work. His hearing was perfect. They did not regard the work as dangerous, although there was a certain amount of danger incurred in it. Witness went down from Purakanui by the special train that conveyed the doctor, and found deceased's hat that night. If the workmen saw any dangerous stuff along the line they knocked it down to prevent it from falling. Close to where the hat was found witness saw about two cartloads of stuff near the face and several small lumps lying about. It was possible for a stone coming from the bank to strike the head of a man standing where deceased was. [Witness produced deceased’s hat, a thin black sou’-wester, with a cut in it over the part that would cover the left temple.] Witness was sure that the hat was not broken when he last saw deceased. It was usual in bad weather, when there is any danger of slips, to keep the men on to see the line clear until the last train passed, which would be generally about 8.30 p.m. Before leaving, at 5 p.m., witness told deceased that he would have to stop and keep the line clear, he replied: “I would rather go home, but there’s nothing else for it.” This order was in accordance with rule. Deceased was entitled to receive extra pay after 5 p.m. No tools had been found near where Williamson was struck, and witness did not think he could have been shovelling at the time tie was struck. He was probably walking along the line towards the north.

Dr Roberts deposed that on the 8th inst. he was summoned by the railway authorities to proceed to Purakanui by special train, leaving at 9.30. On arriving at the watchman’s house he found deceased lying on a couch in the back room. Deceased was semi-conscious. He had a severe scalp wound about five inches in length on the left of the middle line on the top of his head. At the bottom of the wound witness found fracture of the skull extending the whole length of the wound, and it was depressed in the front part of the fracture - the bone on the left side was depressed and driven into the brain. Deceased had lost a large quantity of blood. Witness ordered his removal to the train and rough-dressed the wound before he was removed. The wound was as might have been caused by a stone striking the head. The tear in the hat corresponds with the wound where the fracture was most depressed. Witness attended to deceased after arrival at the hospital, and saw him on the fallowing day. He was then quite unconscious, and remained so until his death on Wednesday afternoon. The cause of death was compression of and injury to the brain. 

William De Gruchy, wardsman at the hospital, proved the death. Deceased was never conscious while in the hospital, and never spoke. 

The Coroner said that the engineer was present, and if the jury wished they could ask him any questions, or perhaps Mr Maltby would like to explain any matter that had not been fully brought out. 

Mr Maltby said that the whole matter had been sufficiently put before the jury and the jury had no questions to ask. 

The Coroner said that he did not see that there had been all absence of anything like ordinary precaution; and without retiring, the jury returned a verdict to the effect that death was accidentally caused by a fall of rock or stone while deceased was in the discharge of his necessary duty, and that there was no blame attaching to anyone.  -Evening Star, 10/8/1888.

It is considered probable that Government will make some provision for the widow of Gideon Williamson. The general rule in such cases is to allow a year’s salary.  -Evening Star, 10/8/1888.

Waikouaiti Cemetery. DCC photo.

The Berwick School memorial gate. The Great War.

45245 Rifleman John James Shennan, (9/9/1895-23/4/1918). "in action in France"

SHENNAN. — On April 23. 1918, died from wounds received while in action in France, Rifleman John James Shennan, dearly beloved only son of Robert and Ellen Shennan, Berwick; aged 22 years.  -Otago Daily Times, 10/5/1918.

John Shennan was fatally wounded by a bullet in his abdomen during an attack by German forces at the height of their Spring offensive. He died at the 3rd Canadian Stationary Hospital and is buried in the cemetery at Doullens, France.

West Taieri Cemetery. DCC photo.

63432 Private Robert Cyril Shaw, (8/6/1894-24/8/1918). "a lonely grave"

FOR THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE.

DEATHS. 

SHAW. — On August 24. killed while in action "Somewhere in France," 63432 — Private Robert Cyril Shaw (32nd Reinforcements), clearly beloved third son of Samuel and Jessie H. S. Shaw, "Pleasant View," Berwick; aged 24 years. Deeply mourned. 

In a distant land he lies, At rest in a soldier's grave; 

His battle fought, his name enrolled, On the scroll of the deathless brave. 

A lonely grave in a far-off land, A grave we may never see; 

But while life and memory last, We will still remember thee.  -Otago Daily Times, 25/9/1918.

Robert Shaw was with the 2nd Battalion of the Canterbury Infantry Regiment when it assaulted the German-occupied French town of Bapaume. The German Army had had plenty of time to prepare its defence and the cost of liberation was high.

49283 Private Frederick James Jackson, (18/1/1891-12/1917). "mothers will be looking"

IN MEMORIAM.

JACKSON. — In loving memory of Frederick James Jackson, killed in action somewhere in France, 11th December, 1917; aged 26 years. 

When he left us with his comrades, 

He nobly went to take his chance. 

We little thought how soon 

He’d be lying in a soldier’s grave 

On the battlefield of France. 

But the saddest part is yet to come: 

When our heroes all return, 

Mothers will be looking for their darling boys. 

But our son will ne’er return. 

— Inserted by his loving mother and sister.  -Evening Star, 11/12/1918.

Frederick Jackson was killed in action during a relatively quiet period for the Otago Regiment in the front line.  There were no attacks on or by the enemy, but barrages of German shells were frequent.

13148 Rifleman Cecil Harry Winter, (1884-17/7/1969). "Mademoiselle from Armentieres"

 Mademoiselle From Bluff?

AUCKLAND, Mon. (Sp) — That the famous Mademoiselle from Armentieres was written by an Australian “bush poet" now living at Bluff, is the claim of Mr C. V. Goddard, assistant registrar of the Social Security Department, in Auckland.

He says the writer was Mr Cecil Winter, an accountant of a freezing works at Bluff. Mr Winter, who used to write under the pseudonym of "Riverina,” has lived in New Zealand since 1914. Mr Goddard read the published cable from Mr E. C. H. Rowland, a retired theatre manager, wrote the song, and a Canadian composer, Lieutenant Gritz-Rice, the music. He said the original verses were written by Mr Winter while serving with the New Zealand forces in France, and were later collected in a volume of his poems. Pat Hanna, of "The Diggers" vaudeville show, which toured after the First World War, obtained the rights to the song from Mr Winter. Mr Goddard produced a statement from Pat Hanna disputing a claim by an American writer that he wrote the song. The tune has been used for hundreds of years as the Duke of Marlborough’s men marched to it with the words "A German Officer Crossed the Rhine." and the words changed through the years until Mr Winter wrote the verses so well known to the men who fought in France in the First World War.  -Northern Advocate, 7/11/1949.

“MADEMOISELLE FROM ARMENTIERES”

AUTHOR OF EIGHT VERSES 

“The Press" Special Service INVERCARGILL, November 10. 

The claim that the man who wrote the words of “Mademoiselle from Armentieres” lives in Bluff, made by Mr C. V. Goddard, assistant registrar of the Social Security Department at Auckland, has been confirmed by the man himself, Mr Cecil Winter. The claim was prompted by a cabled report. from London published last week, in which it was stated that the writer of the words of the song was Mr E. C. H. Rowland, of Sutton, Surrey. 

Mr Winter says he wrote eight verses under the pseudonym of “Riverina” for an Australian magazine. The verses were adapted for the Diggers’ show by Pat Hanna, and provided the theme song for the show. 

Mr Winter is an Australian, but he has been living in New Zealand for many years. Every Anzac Day in Australia his “Mademoiselle from Armentieres” verses are broadcast over the Australian radio.  -Press, 11/11/1949.

Writer Of Songs And Verse Dead

(New Zealand Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, July 20.

 The man credited with writing the famous song of the First World War, “Mademoiselle from Armentieres,” the Australian-born Mr Cecil Winter, of Bluff, died at Riverton last week, aged 86.

Mr Winter was known much further than Bluff, as a poet and as a singer of Australian songs. He grew up on the Riverina and it was under the pen-name "Riverina” that he wrote most of his verse.

joined the Post Office, but the call of the outdoors was too insistent and be went droving.

Later, driving Cobb and Company’s coaches, he knew Tom Gorman, the last of the Hatfield bushrangers who had served 12 years in prison. Mr Winter began writing for the “Bulletin” while he was still at school and was just a youth when his first contribution was accepted.

Most of his songs, like Banjo Paterson’s, were of the Australian outdoors or about typical Australian people, although he had lived in Bluff since 1913. His father, William Winter, was a head cattleman on one of the big Riverina stations.

He served with the New Zealand forces during the First World War, and on his return continued to write verse, winning a number of competitions. 

Mr Winter began work as a school teacher, then he (story incomplete) -Press, 21/7/1969.

 

Green Point Cemetery, Bluff. Photo from "findagrave."