Irvine (1898-9/12/1930) and Lancelot (1911-20/1/1931) Clark. "heard a shot"

MOUNTAIN TRAGEDY.

DEATH OF IRVINE CLARK

RIFLE ACCIDENTALLY DISCHARGED.

An inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death of Irvine Clark, who was accidentally shot while deerstalking on the Billow Mountains, was held at Otautau on Friday before the Coroner, Mr E. C. Levvy, S.M. 

Thomas Clark, brother of deceased, stated that in company with another brother, Lancelot, he went deerstalking on the Billow Mountains on Tuesday. Deceased was carrying a .303 rifle, and a pack on his back, and was going down a rocky face when witness heard a shot go off. He was walking in front of his brother, who was carrying the rifle with the stock in his hand and the butt first. Deceased called out that he was shot, but could not tell how it happened, as his rifle was not cocked. They eased him down the slope about 400 yards to level ground. He was bleeding badly, and they washed him. Witness found two wounds in the leg and later another in the abdomen. He stayed with his brother while Lancelot went for assistance. Deceased died the same evening about half past ten. His brother had not returned, and was not able to get back until Wednesday morning with a party accompanied by a doctor. They stayed until the following night, and went to Monowai about 6 p.m. on Thursday, arriving at Otautau the same night. When the doctor arrived at the camp he said that he could not possibly have done anything for him, and there was no hope of his recovery. He and his brothers were accustomed to deerstalking. It was not customary to carry the rifle the way his brother had it, but it was a bad place. 

Lancelot Clark, another brother, corroborated the evidence of the previous witness, and detailed the steps he bad taken to procure assistance.

Constable O'Shea gave evidence that Thomas Clark reported to him that Thomas Clark reported to him that while on a shooting expedition with his brothers on the Billow Mountains a shooting accident had occurred in which his brother, Irvine, received bullet wounds from which he died about 10.30 p.m. on Tuesday. He viewed the body on Friday morning, and from what he was told there were two wounds in the leg and one in the abdomen. The doctor's report was not yet available, but he had ascertained that the wounds received were sufficient to cause death.

The Coroner found that deceased died on December 9 from shock and severe gunshot wounds in the abdomen and left thigh which were accidentally sustained by the deceased when his rifle slipped from his hand and fell and in such fall was discharged.  -Western Star, 16/12/1930.

OBITUARY.

Lancelot Clark. 

Residents received a shock to-day, when they learned of the sudden passing of Lancelot, youngest son of Mr and Mrs David Clark, King Street, Otautau, in the Riverton Hospital, at the early age of twenty years. Lance left on Saturday with some mates to spend the weekend at the seaside. He took suddenly ill and was taken to receive medical attention. Th patient did not improve and he entered the Hospital on Sunday seriously ill. It appears that while working at his home last week, he ran a manuka splinter into his finger. This was withdrawn and the injury treated, and it was only during the week-end that complications set in, resulting in his death this morning. It is only a few weeks ago that Lance was compelled to undertake the arduous journey from the Billow Mountains to obtain help for his injured brother. 

Of a kindly, genial disposition, he was a general favourite with everyone and will be a much-missed citizen of this Town and District in which his parents have resided for more than a quarter of a century. He was born at Groper's Bush and continued his secondary education at the Southland Boys' High. School. Of late years he has been contract working with his father in this district. He was a keen sport, a good footballer, and enthusiastic member of the local club. Another of his pursuits was deer stalking and pig shooting, and, with his brothers, has undertaken many adventurous trips into the unsurveyed areas bordering the cold lakes. The sympathy of a very wide circle of friends is extended to his sorrowing parents and relatives. The funeral takes place to the Otautau (new) cemetery on Thursday at 2 p.m.  -Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, 20/1/1931.

Otautau Cemetery.

23/422 Rifleman Thomas Scott Findlay, (6/6/1894-15/9/1916). "a genral favourite"

RIFLEMAN T. S. FINDLAY. 

Rifleman Thomas Scott Findlay, missing since September 15, is a son of Mr and Mrs John Findlay, of Orawia, and is in his 22nd year. He is a native of Oreti Plains and attended the Mcrrivale and South Schools. When he enlisted in the first battalion of the Rifle Brigade, Toni, who was of a generous, happy-go-lucky nature and a general favourite, was engaged in farming.

Thomas Findlay served with the 1st Battalion of the NZ Rifle Brigade and set off with them over no-man's-land during the Battle of the Somme.  They faced fire from field and machine guns and reached that day's objective at a high cost in casualties.

Thomas was killed on the 15th and has no known grave. His death was established by a Court of Enquiry.

Otautau Cemetery.

John Leonard Gutschlag, (1914-5/5/1927). "a dangerous condition"

OTAUTAU NOTES

INQUEST ON MOTOR VICTIM. 

An inquest into the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of John Leonard Gutschlag, who passed away through being run over by a motor lorry, was held at the Otautau Courthouse on Friday last, before Mr John Fisher (Acting Coroner) and a jury. 

Evidence was given by August Gutschlag that deceased who was his son, was aged 13 in April, and was attending the Otautau School. 

Dr. W. B. Reekie said he had an urgent call to Mr Sinclair’s shop on Wednesday, and found the boy was suffering intensely from injury and shock. He was pulseless, and witness concluded he was in a dangerous condition. After giving him an injection, with good results, he examined him and found that the superficial injuries consisted of gravel rash on the face, and extended gravel rash on his right side. The boy was suffering from a fractured pelvis, which he thought was broken in two places. There was also an extensive deep bruising of the left groin. He considered the cause of death was intense shock (induced by badly fractured pelvis) causing heart failure. 

Owen Gallagher, fruiterer, who had a shop adjacent to where the accident took place said he was inside his shop about 12.30 p.m. on Wednesday and distinctly heard the horn of the motor lorry going continuously as it was coming out of the right-of-way at Keith’s hotel. He also heard the school children passing the front door. The lorry must have been travelling very slowly, as the horn was sounding for some time in the right-of-way. 

James Thomson, a schoolboy, said that along with Gordon Bone and deceased, he was going home from school. They had got as far as the baker’s shop, when deceased ran back to Matheson's for a message. On coming out again he started to run, and he did not see him again until after the accident. 

Allan Maxwell, another schoolboy who saw the accident, said he heard the horn of the motor lorry sounding as it was coming out of Keith’s right-of-way. He saw deceased run into the door of it and fall or slip under the inside of the left hand back wheel, which went over him. 

Basil Cussen saw the lorry coming on to the footpath just as deceased ran past and was close to the right-of-way when he ran into the door, and slipped and fell under the lorry, the back wheel passing over him. The Rev. Snell picked him up immediately after the accident. 

Frank Thomson stated that he was just going to warn deceased when the lorry came between, and he ran into it. The lorry was going at a walking pace. 

The Rev. L. J. B. Snell said his attention was drawn to the lorry on the day in question, which was coming out of Keith’s right-of-way, and was making a good deal of noise. The way was clear in front when he glanced at the lorry. He was on the opposite side of the road, and heard a scream, and when he looked he saw the boy underneath the lorry. He ran across and carried him into Mr Sinclair’s shop. He afterwards went for the doctor, who ordered the boy to the hospital. The lorry was appearing on the footpath when he saw it, and was making a great noise. 

Charles Renowden, lorry proprietor, Otautau, stated he had delivered some travellers’ samples at Keith’s rooms. On coming out of the right-of-way slowly, and about two chains from the entrance he noticed school children passing. The lorry was in second gear, and he kept sounding the horn every few yards. He blew the horn again when the front part of the lorry was coming on to the footpath and looked right and left. He felt a slight bump as he left the foot, path and heard the boys calling to him. He was surprised the boy was run over, as the way appeared clear. He had been driving a lorry for six years and had never had an accident. He was driving much slower than five miles an hour. From the right hand driving seat he could not see a boy hitting the lorry behind the door of the cab. 

Evidence was given by Constable Moore that the accident had been reported by Renowden, who had given a statement and produced his license. He had known Renowden for four years, and considered him to be a competent driver. He had also obtained a statement from the boy after the doctor had examined him.

The jury returned the following verdict: “That deceased, John Leonard Gutschlag, met his death by coming into contact with a motor lorry, driven by Charles Renowden, no blame being attachable to the driver, being purely accidental.”  -Southland Times, 9/5/1927.

Otautau Cemetery.

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.

William Dodds, (1852-25/9/1887). "the battle day is past"

 

Death, — The number of our settlers has been reduced by two. The familiar forms of John Birrel and Willie Dodds have been removed from our midst. The finger of God touched them, and they are gone. Mr John Birrel, one of the oldest settlers in Wairio, was a Lanarkshire man, and a Native of old Monkland. He came to New Zealand in '62, and after experiencing many tips and downs incident to Colonial life, at one time tilling the soil, at another mining beneath it, he took up a section and settled in Wairio. He died of heart disease. He leaves a widow but no family. He was greatly respected by all who knew him. Mr William Dodds was a native of Ayrshire, born somewhere near the place that, as Burns tell us, was famed for honest men. To this class Mr Dodds belonged. He bade adieu to Caledonia 24 years ago. After being some years in the employment of the firm of Cochrane and Blackwood, Invercargill, well known to old identities; he started storekeeping on his own account in Otautau. Having taken up a section in this district, he married and settled here six years ago. The cause of death was inflammation in the lungs. It seems he caught a severe cold, and, not suspecting anything serious, allowed it to take such a hold on his lungs that by the time he reached Riverton to get medical aid, there was scarcely any hope for him. He leaves a widow and a young family to mourn his loss. He was a man who was most highly esteemed by all his neighbors, and the news of his sudden death shed quite a gloom over our whole community. As a mark of respect the School committee decided to postpone their concert which was to come off on the Friday following. He was busy- sowing and harrowing just a few days before his death. But, 

Now the labourer's task is o'er; 

Now the battle day is past.  -Western Star, 8/10/1887.

Otautau Old Cemetery.

Benjamin Albert Dickson, (1898-19/8/1934). "one of the triggers was weak"

MAN FATALLY SHOT. 

INVERCARGILL, This Day. 

Mr Benjamin Albert Dickson, aged 36, was fatally shot at Strathvale yesterday. He was leaving a car to have a shot at some rabbits, and when lifting the gun the weapon went off, the contents lodging in his head.  -Ashburton Guardian, 20/8/1934.

SHOOTING FATALITY

A DEFECTIVE GUN 

evidence at inquest. 

(From Our Correspondent.) 

An inquest into the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Benjamin Albert Dickson, who was found shot on the Waikouro road on Sunday was held at Otautau on Monday before Mr E. C. Levvey, S.M., coroner. 

Francis Mary Kane, in evidence, stated that she went for a bicycle ride on Sunday and when some distance along the Waikouro road she saw a motor car pulled up on the side of the road. It was facing towards Waikouro. On nearing the car she saw a man lying on his back with his feet towards the car and also noticed blood on the road and a shotgun lying across his left arm. She went back and informed Mr Cowan. 

Ronald James Bradley gave corroborative evidence. 

Robert Liggett Dickson, in evidence, stated that he was a farmer residing at Scotts Gap, and he identified the body of deceased as his brother, Benjamin Albert Dickson, who was 36 years of age and a farmer by occupation. He last saw his brother alive on August 11 when he paid a visit to his place, and he was then in his usual health. As far as witness knew he had no worries. He was a single man. At about 1 p.m. on Sunday he saw his brother’s car go along the road in the direction of Otautau, and somewhere about 4 p.m. witness was informed by his brother-in-law that Benjamin had been shot. He went to Waikouro road, where he saw his brother lying dead, and he assisted to remove the body to his house. 

To the Coroner: His brother never worried and he was not in financial difficulties. He could not think there was any reason for deceased taking his life, and he was pretty sure it was an accident. His brother was experienced in firearms and had been using the gun previously. 

David Dickson stated that he had resided with deceased at Scotts Gap. Witness left home about 12.15 p.m. on Sunday to go round the stock, and his brother was then at the house. He spoke of going to his sister’s place, Mrs Clothier’s, at Otautau, and mentioned that he would take the gun and shoot some rabbits for the dogs but witness did not see him leave. Witness heard his brother say that one of the triggers was weak in the gun. About a week ago he saw deceased out with the gun when it went off. Deceased mentioned that it had gone off on its own again. He always had a piece of rubber tied round the trigger guard of the gun so as to protect his finger. Herbert Clothier informed him on Sunday that his brother had been found shot. Deceased had never at any time spoken of taking his life and as far as witness knew he had no reason to do so. 

To the Coroner: His brother always left the hammer down and it was the practice to carry the gun loaded. He thought it best to have the gun destroyed. 

Robert George Cowan, in evidence, stated that at 2.15 p.m. on Sunday the girl Kane called at his house and stated that there was a man shot down the road at Waikouro. He sent the girl to Mrs Swap’s to ring the police and the doctor, not knowing that the telephone was off on Sunday. Witness went straight along the Waikouro road and there found a car pulled up on the left hand side of the road. He could see the skid marks at the rear of the car where the wheels had skidded when the car stopped. There was a man lying dead on the road, the top of his head having been blown away. He had a double-barrelled shotgun which was lying on deceased’s left-hand side, the barrel of which was pointing towards deceased’s head. He had his hand around the gun somewhere close to the grip. He was not sure at the time who the man was owing to the severe wounds in the head. Witness went to Mr Crane’s for assistance and stayed until the police arrived. He had previously seen deceased shooting along this road. 

Constable A. C. White, of Otautau, stated that on Sunday he was informed that a man had been found shot on the Waikouro road. Proceeding to the scene of the accident he found deceased lying on the ground on his back. The left hand of deceased was around the barrel of a shotgun which was pointing towards his head. The breech of the gun contained two cartridges, the one in the left having been discharged. Both hammers of the gun were down. From the position in which deceased was lying it would appear that he had got out of the car and was facing towards it on the driver’s side. He was probably taking the gun from the car by the barrel when the gun went off. The skin of deceased’s head was badly blackened from the powder being fired at close range. He examined the car, but could not find where anything had been fastened from the car to the gun, and found that although only one cartridge had been discharged both barrels were dirty, but from the appearance he did not think the right hand one had been discharged that day. The pull of the lefthand trigger was much weaker than the right trigger, and if the hammer was up it would take a very light pull to put it off. He knew the Waikouro road where deceased was found, and said there were a fair number of rabbits to be seen there. He had made a further examination of the gun, and found that if the left hammer was down and it became caught in anything when being pulled out of the car it would go off without pulling the trigger. Deceased had four cartridges in his belt besides the one in the gun. It would not go off with a jar, but the slightest touch of the trigger would set it off. They had no experienced gunsmith in Otautau, but he had had considerable experience in shooting during the last 30 years and knew the gun was defective. 

The Coroner returned the following verdict: “That on August 19 at Waikouro Benjamin Albert Dickson died from the result of a gunshot wound in the head, and that while the shooting appeared to have been accidental there is no evidence as to how the said wound came to be inflicted.” 

The Coroner gave the necessary order for the destruction of the gun.  -Southland Times, 22/8/1934.

Otautau Old Cemetery.

Bartholomew Lynch, (1879-26/1/1913). "I'm done!"

ANOTHER MOTOR FATALITY.

(By Telegraph. — Press Association.) this day. 

On Sunday morning Mr. Bartholomew Lynch, traveller for J. G. Ward and Co., in company with Mr. James Macintosh, of the same firm, were crossing a narrow bridge in the Fortrose district, when their motor car went over and capsized in the bed of a creek, ten feet below. Mr. Macintosh escaped with a shaking, but Mr. Lynch, exclaiming "I'm done!" expired. Deceased was aged 35. He leaves a widow and one child.  -Auckland Star, 7/1/1913.

THE MOTOR FATALITY

INQUEST ON BARTHOLOMEW LYNCH.

VERDICT OF ACCIDENTAL DEATH.

The sad story connected with the accidental death of Bartholomew Lynch at the Mataura Island bridge last Sunday was the subject of a coronial inquiry yesterday. Owing to the absence of the District Coroner (Mr G. Cruickshank), from town when the body was brought in, the inquest was conducted by Mr W. B. Scandrett, J.P.. and the following jury was empanneled: — A. Ferguson (Foreman), S. Ritchie, James Sangster, Wm. Hall, Wm. Day, and Wm. R. Petrie. Sergeant Simpson represented the police and Mr Wm. Macalister appeared for the Southland County Council. The relatives of the deceased were represented by Mr O’Beirne.

Daniel Lynch, signalman, in the employ of the N.Z. Railways, said that the deceased was his brother, and a traveller for J. G. Ward and Co. He was about 35 years of age, and was a married man with one child. 

James Mackintosh, accountant to J. G. Ward and Co., deposed that with the deceased he left Invercargill at 8.15 a.m. on Sunday in a motor car. Lynch was driving, and when approaching the Mataura Island bridge they negotiated a very acute turn. As they ran on to the bridge witness noticed that the rail on the left-hand side going east was broken, and left a very ugly drop open. There was a slight fall from the road to the bridge, and the car was running a little quicker than it would have done on another bridge. There was only about a foot of space on either side of the car, and the opinion of the witness was that deceased became a little nervous and steered the car to the right to keep clear of the gap created by the broken rail. As a result the car came into contact with the rail on the right, and broke it. A wire ran along the side of the bridge, and the car caught on this, turning a complete somersault and throwing both witness and deceased out. There was a drop of about fifteen feet. Witness had a marvellous escape. He rose to his feet at once and saw Lynch lying a few feet away. The latter said. “I'm done.” Witness ran to him only to see him die at once. He at once went for assistance and Dr Baird was in attendance shortly afterwards. At no time previously had witness been out with the deceased in the motor car, but he knew that he had only recently learned to drive a car. The road where the accident occurred would require a skilful driver to negotiate. The barrier at the side of the bridge consisted, as near as he could remember, of a rail on top and two fencing wires. 

To Mr O’Beirne; There was no notice near the bridge notifying drivers that it was dangerous. It was not, he thought, meant for heavy traffic. 

Mr O'Belrne: How deep was the ford underneath? 

Witness: I do not know. 

Mr O’Beirne: Would there be a foot of water in it? 

Witness: There may have been. 

Mr O’Beirne: Could the car go through a foot of wat

er. Witness: I really do not know. Some cars can, and others can not. 

Proceeding under examination the witness said that he had not time to observe whether the bridge shook when the car went on to it. The object of the trip was pleasure alone. The deceased was not on duty when he was driving the car on Sunday; they both arranged to go for a run. He had not been driving very much more than a week, and had been out only on two or three trips. 

Mr O’Beirne: What do you attribute the accident to? 

Witness: I think that it was due to his becoming nervous at the rail being down. 

Mr O’Beirne: Had the rail been up would you consider that bridge a safe one to cross with a motor car? 

Witness: No; I would not. 

Mr O’Beirne: Do you think the railing is substantial enough to prevent a car from going over? 

Witness: No. Under further examination the witness said that he did not know the condition o he stream in winter. 

To Mr Macalister: The witness did not know, prior to the accident, that it was a stock bridge and not meant for vehicular traffic. It was, he agreed, a matter of common knowledge that the railings were not meant to keep vehicles from going over, but there were some bridges where the railings were strong enough to serve that purpose. 

Mr Macalister: He was an inexperienced driver?

Witness: I cannot say that be was experienced, but many experienced drivers would have been unnerved in a similar situation.

The bridge, said the witness, was at right angles with the road approach. 

Mr Macalister: This is just one of those unfortunate accidents, and you do not suggest that anyone was to blame?

Witness: No. I do not think anyone was to blame.

To the foreman of the jury the witness said that it was possible for cars to get through the ford, but he was led to understand that 90 per cent, of the cars travelling the road used the bridge. 

Re-examined by Mr Macalister the witness said that Lynch had previously crossed the bridge on a motor bicycle and he himself had crossed it in a motor car.

B. Basstian, County Engineer, gave evidence to the effect that the main road through Mataura Island crossed a backwater by a ford running diagonally across the back-water. The bridge on which the accident occurred was not on the main road. It was some distance from it, and could be reached by going along the bank of the back-water if the ford were too deep in times of flood. Originally the bridge was built for a footbridge, and at a later date was widened to make it a stock bridge. It was never intended for vehicular traffic. Had it been intended for that purpose wheel guards would have been provided. He understood that when the back-water was flooded by the Mataura river the bridge was used by milk carts and light traffic. There would, he considered, be no difficulty in motor cars crossing the ford. He had last seen the ford on the previous afternoon and there was then about six inches of water in it. So far as he knew there had never been any request by the ratepayers or the public to have the bridge altered. 

Mr O'Beirne; Why did the Council put gates on the bridge some few years ago? 

Witness: I do not know the reason, but presume they were put there for use in driving stock. 

Mr O'Beirne; Why were they taken away? 

Witness: I suppose because they were of no use.

Mr O’Beirne: Do you think the bridge is safe for a motor car to cross? 

Witness: I think it is safe for an ordinary, careful and competent man, but you cannot go on to it rapidly or carelessly. 

Mr O'Beirne: Don't you think it necessary to warn people from crossing the bridge?

Witness: The question has never cropped up before.

Mr O’Beirne: Will a warning notice be put up now?

Witness: I do not know that it will, because it can be seen that it is not an ordinary traffic bridge. It is seven feet eight inches in width, and about 160 feet long. An ordinary motor car is about five feet three inches over all in width.

To the Acting Coroner: By his statedment that vehicles could cross by either the ford or the bridge he did not mean that they were entitled to cross the bridge, but merely that they did so at times.

The jury returned a verdict that the« deceased met his death accidentally through a fall from a motor car, no blame being attachable to anyone.  -Southland Times, 31/1/1913.

Otautau Old Cemetery.