Gordon Donald Watson, (1897-17/1/1925). "except for one shoe"

The burial of the remains of Gordon Donald Watson, who was killed in the motor accident near Gore on Sunday last, took place at the Anderson Bay Cemetery yesterday afternoon. Deceased, who left New Zealand with the 29th Reinforcements, saw service in the fighting line in France. Prior to leaving Dunedin some months ago to enter the service of the legal firm of Messrs Bowler and Bannerman, at Gore, he was an enthusiastic member of the Dunedin turned Soldiers’ Choir, and took a keen interest in the affairs of the Dunedin R.S.A. Representatives of the association and the choir attended the funeral. Numerous wreaths were forwarded from the Tennis Club and Golf Club at Gore, and from friends.  -Evening Star, 21/1/1925.

MOTOR ACCIDENT

THE GORE FATALITY 

INQUEST PROCEEDINGS 

(From our Correspondent.) The adjourned inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death of Gordon Donald Watson, who was killed in a motor accident near Riversdale on January 17, was continued at Gore on Tuesday afternoon, before Mr A. Martin, District Coroner. Sergeant Tonkinson represented the Police. 

MEDICAL TESTIMONY. 

Alexander J. McIlroy, registered medical practitioner, of Gore, stated that he received a telephone message at 6 p.m. on Saturday, January 17, to attend a motor accident beyond Riversdale. He reached the scene of the accident about 6.45 p.m., and saw the deceased lying on the left-hand side of the road alongside a wrecked motorcar. The body was fully clothed, except for one shoe, and hat. On examining the body he noticed a large lacerated wound on the right side of the lower jaw, which was fractured. Blood had been coming from the nostrils and the left ear. He examined the body at the morgue the following morning, and found, in addition to the above mentioned injuries, a fracture of the right collarbone, and also a fracture of two upper ribs on the left side; also two small superficial abrasions on the outer side of the right thigh. The indications of bleeding from nose and ear showed that deceased had suffered a fracture of the base of the skull. He considered that death was due to shock following upon the severe injuries met with. The body was within a foot of the running board of the car when he arrived. He noticed that the macadamised road had been torn up by the spokes of the wheel, and was of opinion that two wheels had collapsed. The car appeared to have gone- off. the road and then come back again. He did not think that the occupants of the car had been dragged by it, or that it had fallen on them. Possibly one of the others had fallen on Watson. 

THE ACCIDENT DESCRIBED.

George McKenzie Campbell, agent for the British Imperial Oil Co., at Gore, said he left Gore with his brother and Gordon Watson in a Dodge car about 2.15 p.m. on January 17, going to the Riversdale and Balfour Districts. They reached Riversdale about 20 minutes before the train got in, and left again about 15 minutes after the train arrived. He stopped there to speak to Mr Sim. He had no drinks there; he had no liquor at all that day. Watson did not leave the car at all while they were in Riversdale, although his brother (Roderick Campbell) did. His brother was absent from the car for a very short time, and he did not think he had a drink. Witness drove the car all the way. Sim left Riversdale in his car, and they followed very shortly afterwards. He had never been over the road before. He was going at his usual speed. The car had shown a tendency to skid, and being a bit frightened of this he did not go very fast with it. The accident started over the car skidding in loose gravel at the top of the hill. It appeared to him as if the back of the car swung to the right. When he got it straightened, the two righthand wheels were running on the grass, the other two being on the metalled road. He tried to get on to the middle of the road, but the car did not seem to respond very well. He put out the clutch and put on the foot brake. The car then responded better, but just as he was getting it on to the gravel, the right side of the car seemed to collapse and the other two occupants were thrown heavily on to him, knocking his feet off the controls. The car veered towards the left, and he had a job to pull it around to the right, as the others were right against him. He made another attempt to put on the foot brake in order to pull up. The car was then right out of control, and seemed to be jumping on the road. The last he remembered was seeing the fence in front of him, as if the car had swung round and was facing to the left. He remembered that, when they were at the foot of the hill his brother, who was sitting opposite the speedometer, remarked that they were travelling at 25 miles per hour. He had no thought of racing with the car ahead, and made no effort to overtake Sim. There were three of them on the one seat, but there was comfortable room to work the car. He had been driving a car practically every day for four months, and thought himself quite competent. 

STOCK AGENT’S STATEMENT. 

Frederick Stanley Sim, stock agent, of Balfour, said he was at Riversdale on January 17. He spoke to George Campbell and deceased. Campbell said he was going on to Balfour and would see him there. There was no sign of liquor on either of them. Witness started off for Balfour in his car, Campbell’s car following. He did not look back until he was at the top of the Waimea Hill, when he saw a car which he took to be Campbell’s behind him. Some distance further on he glanced back again and saw a cloud of dust rising up in one place. A few seconds later he looked back again, and the dust was still rising in the same place, while the other car was not in sight. Thinking something might be wrong he went back and found deceased and the two Campbells lying on the ground, all clear of the car. He immediately sent for a doctor. On the way up from Riversdale he was going at a steady 20 to 25 miles per hour, his usual pace. The car was a Ford, and he was in no hurry. 

OTHER EVIDENCE. 

Vincent O’Connor, farmer, of Kingston Crossing, said that about 5.30 p.m. on January 17 he heard the noise of a car passing the house, going towards Balfour. The car was going at an ordinary pace. He admitted stating to the police that he estimated the speed at 40 miles per hour, but on thinking it over he thought it would be about 20 to 25. He would not swear to 40. 

Sergeant Tonkinson: Considering all the circumstances, did you think the car was going too fast? 

Witness: No. I have seen a lot of cars going faster since, on the same road. 

Continuing, witness said that when the car was passing his place he saw it swerve and turn over three or four times. He rushed across and found that Watson was dead. 

George Campbell, recalled, stated that he had not noticed any defect in the car previously. 

ACCIDENTAL DEATH. 

The Coroner found that Gordon Donald Watson died from injuries received owing to being thrown out of a motor-car, the wheels of which collapsed, the car capsizing, on the Riversdale-Balfour road, on January 17, no blame being attachable to anyone.  -Southland Times, 4/2/1925.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.

Mabel Dagg, (1904-11/10/1925). "so dearly loved"

 DEATHS. 

DAGG. — On October 11, 1925,_at Dunedin, Mabel (May), dearly beloved wife of Stuart John Dagg; aged 21 years. Deeply mourned. Private interment.  -Evening Star, 12/10/1925.

BIRTHS. 

DAGG. — On October 11. at Redroofs, to Mr and Mrs S. J. Dagg —  a son.  -Otago Daily Times, 13/10/1925.

SUNDAY SERVICES. 

THE WHOLE OF DUNEDIN  

Is invited to the 

GREAT REVIVAL CAMPAIGN 

At the 

SALVATION ARMY, DOWLING STREET. 

LOOK! 

THIS SUNDAY NIGHT at 7. 

Subject: “WHERE RICH AND POOR MEET.” 

“WHERE RICH AND POOR MEET.” 

Speaker: 

“THE MAN FOR THE PEOPLE.” 

Male Quartet will Sing; City Orchestra will Play. 

SILVER BAND will Play 

“JERUSALEM, MY HAPPY HOME,” 

In Memory of the late Mrs Dagg (nee Mabel Spiers). 

11 a.m. HOLINESS CONVENTION. 

Subject; 

“Whom, Having Not Seen, Ye Love.” 

3 p.m., MUSIC, SONG, AND TESTIMONY. 

LOOK VISIT OF TIMARU SALVATION ARMY BAND NEXT WEEK-END. 

GREAT MUSICAL DEMONSTRATION 

On 

SATURDAY NIGHT at 8 o’clock. 

Tickets 1s. Everybody come.  

-Otago Daily Times, 17/10/1925.

Northern Cemetery, Dunedin.

8/771 Private William Kearney, (13/5/1891-13/12/1918). "with enteric"

Influenza does not now dominate at the Dunedin Hospital. It is shrinking fast. Of the 251 cases there today only 129 were suffering from what, a fortnight ago was a terrorising epidemic. 

The remains of 8/771 Private William Kearney were interred at Anderson Bay this afternoon with military honors. Major Fleming representing the Staff. The deceased was a main body man who enlisted with the 4th Otago Infantry Battalion and saw 197 days' service abroad. He was invalided on account of enteric, came back by a hospital ship in January of 1916, and, after recovering, tried to enlist again in April of 1917. He married quite recently. The cause of death was influenza. He was 27 years old.   -Evening Star, 14/12/1918.

At Anderson's Bay Cemetery on Saturday afternoon the remains of 8/771 Private William Kearney, who died of influenza, were interred with military honours. A Main Body man, deceased saw 197 days of active service, being invalided back to New Zealand with enteric in January, 1916. He endeavoured to re-enlist in 1917, but was declared unfit. He was married quite recently.  -Otago Witness, 18/12/1918.

James Benn Bradshaigh-Bradshaw, (22/9/1832-1/9/1886). "unceasing exertions"

BIOGRAPHICAL.

THE LATE J. B. BRADSHAW.

The late Mr James Benn Bradshaigh-Bradshaw was born in England, at Barton Blount, Lancashire. His father, General Bradshaw, was related to, and connected with the Bradshaws, Bradshaighs, and Benns, of Lancashire, Cheshire, Derby, and Tipperary.

Young Bradshaw passed through the East Indian Company's College, Haileybury, near Hertford, and in due course entered the Indian Civil Service, which, however, he soon left from declining health. For several years after his life was a most eventful one. Thoroughly an settled he was in the humour for travel, common to so many, and was, as so few are, able to gratify his humour to the full.

During those years of travel he went through the Empire of Brazil and several of the states of South America. He also visited the African Islands, including Bourbon, Seychelles, Madagascar, Isle of France, and voyaged as far as St. Helena and Ascension Islands.

The Continent of Africa next tempted the traveller, and he journeyed inward from South Cape Point across the Great Fish river, through Kaffrarea to the missionary stations of the Revs. Robert Moffatt and Dr Livingstone, with whose families he was intimately associated.

His attention was next drawn to the Dutch republics, and he passed through the territory since widely known as the centre of the diamond and gold fields of recent discovery. During his travels in Africa he made several successful trading ventures between the continent and the islands.

His African experience was not confined to peaceable pursuits, for, on the outbreak of the fifth Kaffir war, about 1850, he became in turn war-office agent, recruiting officer, and commander of a company. Sir Harry Smith, an old friend of General Bradshaw's, was then Governor of the Cape, and for the second and third time took an active part in the suppression of the rebellion,

In 1852 the Governors frontier policy not being approved, he was recalled, and succeeded for two years by General Cathcart, who, in 1854, was himself replaced by Sir George Grey, K.C.B., from New Zealand. Sir Harry Smith had, however, left little to be done by his successors, except to gradually build up a more satisfactory relationship between the Kaffir tribes and the colonists.

Leaving Natal when his leader was recalled, Mr Bradshaw went to the Isle of France, remaining only a short time

In 1855 he landed in Victoria, and at once, like everyone else of even less travelled instinct, went straight to the diggings. The time was one of great excitement, and Bradshaw threw himself into the pursuit in full sympathy with the intoxication of the moment. He kept to practical mining for about four years. He followed it up in the deep, wet sinking of Creswick Greek and Ballarat district and worked in and followed every new rush, in some instances being very successful.

His attention was early drawn to quartz mining, upon which he entered before any quartz machinery was in the country, being interested in claims on Eagle Hawk, Mariner's Reef, and at New Bendigo. At New Bendigo, with the Roskrages, he was very successful. It will be seen from this that Mr Bradshaw's practical mining experience was very large.

In 1856 be was persuaded to commence the scientific study of auriferous drifts, and the occurrence of lodes and veins and their qualities. He opened an assay office at Castlemaine as assayer and gold buyer, under the style of Cameron and Bradshaw; subsequently he opened at Tarrangower and Maryborough. At Maryborough he sold the business to the Bank of Australasia, taking office with the bank as assayer and gold buyer, and before leaving having a temporary charge.

While in Australia his attention was drawn to Otagan gold, and he wrote to the then Superintendent, Sir John Richardson, stating that it was worth by assay £3 17s to £4 1s per ounce, and pointed out that by the establishment of a Government assay office, the price of gold — which was then only £3 10s — would be raised. Doubts were, however, cast upon the scheme by his Honor's advisers.

Major Richardson (not quite discouraged) sent several thousand ounces Home for assay and sale, and was able to declare at a public meeting that the price realised was £3 17s to £3 19s, after paying all expenses — proving the accuracy of Mr Bradshaw's opinion.

In 1870, when settled in New Zealand, he again wrote to the Superintendent, Mr Macandrew, recommending the scheme of a Government assay office, in connection with a school of mines ; and also to Sir Julius Vogel. Tbe same policy he urged upon the energetic Superintendent of Canterbury, Mr Moorhouse, coincident with the West Coast discoveries. Unfortunately for New Zealand this good advice was systematically neglected. Influences were all at work, representing too large interests, to give the plan a trial. The proposal was published in the Mount Ida Chronicle in January 1874, and its value pointed out. 

Upon Mr Bradshaw's arrival in Otago he went to the Dunstan, and brought down 3000oz of gold — before an escort was established — on horseback, to Waikouaiti, and shipped it thence, by steamer, to Dunedin.

At the first of the rush to the Lakes he went to Queenstown, He there opened a gold office, and received deposits for the Union Bank of Australasia. At Queenstown he began his connection with the New Zealand press, editing the Mail for nine months, and advocating the cancellation of the pastoral lease held by Mr Rees, and the withdrawal of the delegated powers from the Provincial Government. 

At that time a petition for the withdrawal of powers was got up and signed by 8000 persons. Rees' lease having been cancelled for commonage purposes, he next strongly objected to the proposed sale of the commonage in 1864, in runs of smaller sizes; the objection was for a time successful.

He also corresponded with the Colonist, Telegraph, and Mail newspapers, advocating a higher price for gold, the reduction of duty, and the abolition of all special taxation and monopolies. The Union Bank opened a branch in the Queenstown Gold Office, but the management objecting to the political writings of the agent, he opened another office. In 1866 he left Queenstown, and in the same year stood for the Provincial Council for the goldfields, but was defeated by Mr Mouat. In the following year he stood for the Assembly to represent the goldfields towns, and was returned, beating Mr D. F. Main.

In the same year, assisted by Mr Haughton, he had a hand in the concession made for the purchase of 50 acres on goldfields held under agricultural lease, under the act of 1860. In 1867 he was appointed by Mr Stafford, Ministerial Agent, to take charge of the goldfields.

The resumption of the delegated powers caused a great stir, A plebiscite was taken, public meetings were held, and the unhappy Ministerial Agent was alternately burnt and drowned in effigy. 

Mr Vogel, the great advocate for the preservation of provincial rights intact, stamped the country with paid agents, whom he placed in charge of the courthouses, at the expense to the province of several thousand pounds. At the conclusion of this Parliamentary session, when a truce was patched up, the Ministerial Agent's appointment ceased. 

Meanwhile, on his persistent protest, the Wakatipu runs were, by order of Mr Stafford, withdrawn again from sale and put back into the commonage, a proceeding which offended the provincial authorities. It will be known to our readers that this disputed Wakatipu country was for the most part sold in smaller leaseholds by the Turnbull-Bastings Government in 1872-3, and many think, advantageously, to the Government, but not in the interests of the people. Mr Bradshaw's private secretary, Mr Felix Wakefield, the brother of the founder of the colony, was provided with another appointment. Mr Bradshaw did not seek for himself any compensative office, although no doubt his acceptance of the temporary appointment injured his political prospects very seriously.

In 1868 Mr Haughton introduced the Road Board Endowment Act, which, amended advantageously in committee with Mr Bradshaw's assistance, provided for a better act for outlying districts. 

In 1868 his technical knowledge of mining again stood the colony in good stead, and resulted in some excellent reports on the occurrence of the quartz veins then being discovered in Auckland. In 1870, the goldfields towns being abolished and put into districts, Mr Bradshaw was retained for Waikaia, and shortly after, in his absence, was returned to the Provincial Council for Mount Bengor. When the newly elected Council met the Government in power were displaced, and Mr Bradshaw joined Mr Reid's Government as Treasurer. 

The new Executive had a tough battle to fight; the Treasury owed £97,000 to the banks, money was tight, and the agricultural interest was almost bankrupt. The Secretary and his Treasurer undertook to carry on the Government at salaries reduced to £400, holding two offices apiece. The Superintendent's salary was also cut down, to £800. 

After 20 months in office Mr Reid joined the short lived Stafford Government as Minister for Works; the Executive accordingly had to go, leaving the Treasury with a credit balance at the bank. The retiring Treasurer was pressed by the Superintendent to join the new Executive, but refused.

On the appeal to the province Mr Bradshaw was not returned for Mount Benger on account of the Moa Flat sale, for which he was most unjustly blamed. 

In 1873 he succeeded in carrying through the Assembly an act called "The Resumption of Land for Mining Purposes." This act is now law. It makes mining a public purpose, and is therefore of importance in interpreting certain clauses of "The Waste Land Act of 1872." It authorises the resumption of any land sold after 1873 with no consideration as to its auriferous character.

In 1873 he also introduced and carried through Parliament the Female Employment Bill. The bill has been preached throughout Scotland by the Rev. Dr Begg, and has been commented on favourably in England and the English Parliament. In England the hours allowed for female labour are 10; in New Zealand they are only eight. 

In 1874 an amendment act was introduced, by Mr Rolleston, and the opportunity was taken by the originator of the Factory Act to still further improve it. In 1875 Mr Donald Reid again endeavoured to amend the Bill in the interests of the employers, and was successful in the Assembly. 

Mr Bradshaw gave notice of a series of amendments in the interests of the working classes, which he was unsuccessful in carrying, but which were insisted on by the Legislative Council. The act is now known everywhere as the Bradshaw Factory Act. Under its provisions no child is allowed to work in factories under the age of 10; and no boy or girl from 10 to 14 can be employed for more than four hours a day. 

Mr Bradshaw's public career has been distinguished for sterling integrity, industry, and dogged determination; what he determined to do he succeeded in doing or getting done. A more generous politician never existed; what he knew or gathered at great expense of time, or labour was freely anyone's who wished to make use of it. We do not know any member whose time has been so devoted to the interests of the goldfields, and his labours have not been fruitless,

It is true Bradshaw's Act re the employment of females and children in factories and workshops shines with lustre among the statutes of New Zealand. The restrictions embodied in the act have conferred a great boon on those so employed throughout the colony. Lessening the hours of indoor confinement adds vigour to body and limb, and were it not for Mr Bradshaw's exertions, hundreds of our youth, male and female, through long hours and overexertion, would ere now be crippled, and many would have languished and been sent to an early grave. 

Parents and their offspring performing work that comes under the act have every right to be grateful for the benefits conferred on them through the unceasing exertions of Mr Bradshaw. Before we had the act females were sometimes kept at work till midnight in workrooms, factories, and at counters throughout New Zealand, and in some cases they worked from 6 a.m.  -Otago Witness, 24/12/1886.

Northern Cemetery, Dunedin.

Dr John Bell Thomson, MBCM, (1869-20/2/1915). "a keen sense of duty"

MEDICAL INSPECTOR DIES SUDDENLY

(Br TELEGRAM — PRESS ASSOCIATION.) DUNEDIN, This Day. 

Dr. John Bell Thomson, Medical Inspector of Schools, died suddenly to-day. He was spending a holiday in Dunedin, and practised at Arrow town for many years. In his younger days he was a noted interprovincial rugby half-back and played against Stoddart's team.  -Evening Post, 20/2/1915.

DEATH OF DR J. B. THOMSON.

About 10 a.m. on the 20th the police wore advised that Dr John Bell Thomson, aged 46 years, had been found dead in his bed at his residence, 211 Cargill street. 

The deceased practised his profession at Arrowtown for a number of years, and ne also practised at Kaitangata. He held the position of medical inspector of schools at Auckland until about four months ago, when he was granted leave of absence owing to being in indifferent health. Dr Thomson was a well-known representative footballer in his day, and played for the High School, Pirates, and University. He represented his province in 12 matches, and was one of the best backs Otago ever had. He played against Stoddart’s English team in 1888. 

John Bell Thomson, or “Jack,” as he was known to all those who were associated with him, was one of the most distinguished boys that the High School has ever produced, and his early death, coming as it has done with such suddenness, will cause a great shock to all his friends, and particularly to those old boys of the school who were associated with him for so many years. He was a brilliant scholar, and was dux of the school in 1885, when only in his sixteenth year. But it is chiefly as an athlete that he was famous, and it is safe to say that he was the finest all-round athlete that ever wore the blue-and-white jersey. Along with Dr Irwin Hunter, he had the distinguished honour of representing his province in football when he was still a schoolboy, and his wonderful skill as a half back, with his accurate punting with either foot and his tricky, dodgy running, will be talked of by footballers who knew him as long as the game is played. In cricket he was captain of the eleven for three years, and frequently had to do the lion’s share of the work, both as a batsman and a bowler. He never lost any of his enthusiasm for his old school and its doings in the athletic field, and nothing gave him greater pleasure when he came to town than to go and see the boys playing football or cricket. As a matter of fact he spent last Saturday week on the school cricket ground in the afternoon watching the school eleven play their match. He was a true “sport ” in every sense of the word, and his quiet, unassuming manner endeared him to all those with whom he came in contact. Subjoined is his record: — Junior and senior provincial scholar; junior University scholar; dux of Otago Boys’ High School 1885; M.B.C.M. Edinburgh 1892. Athletics: Cricket eleven, 1883£6 (captain 1885 and 86); Football Fifteen, 1883 (captain 1885 and 1886); Otago Football Fifteen, 1886-88. School sports, 1884. Record in high jump (5ft 4 1/2in), 120yds Hurdles, Long Jump. 

THE INQUEST. 

An inquest was held at the late residence of the deceased on the 22nd before Mr C. C. Graham, S.M., coroner. Seniorrsergeant Dart represented the police. 

Isabella B. Thomson, wife of the deceased, said that her late husband was 46 years of age. He was a duly qualified medical practitioner. For some time he had not been well, but had made no particular complaint. He had no particular worry, but his time was not fully occupied, and he suffered from sleeplessness occasionally. On Friday night he was in his ordinary health, and retired shortly after 10 o’clock. He slept soundly until 3 a.m. on Saturday, when he appeared restless. At half-past 7 he appeared to be dozing, and witness left him. About 9.45 a.m. witness returned and found him partly lying on the floor, his head not reaching the ground. Witness did not notice any handkerchief supporting his head. He was unconscious, and witness, on touching his forehead, found it not quite cold. She called Dr Macdonald, and also Dr Fitzgerald, who arrived shortly after his colleague. On their arrival they pronounced Dr Thomson to be dead. Witness did not see a handkerchief removed from the neck of the deceased.

Dr Fitzgerald said that he knew the deceased well, and had seen a good deal of him for the last three months since he had come to Dunedin. He had recently given up his practice at Arrowtown and accepted an appointment as medical inspector of schools at Auckland. He came to Dunedin on sick leave, and consulted witness, who found him to be suffering from nervous depression and insomnia. He seemed to improve when he came to Dunedin, and witness had never anticipated any such termination as had occurred. On being called on Saturday morning, and entering the room of the deceased, witness found the body lying on the floor. Dr Macdonald had arrived before, and had removed a handkerchief which had been around the neck of the deceased, and fastened to the bed post. A mark was left on the neck, and strangulation was evidently the cause of death. The deceased was naturally of a nervous temperament. 

The Coroner said that strangulation had evidently been the cause of death, and the deceased had apparently been suffering from temporary mental aberration. He had been well known as an athlete, and had been forward in every sport. He had been of a nervous temperament. If he had been contemplating suicide, as a medical man, he would have taken a more satisfactory means of committing it. Slow strangulation was a most painful mode of death, and he must have been suffering from temporary mental aberration. The case was a sad one. 

The verdict was “ That the deceased had died of self-strangulation while he was in a temporary state of insanity.”

A former resident of the Lakes district has forwarded to us the following tribute to Dr Thomson’s memory: — 

“John Bell Thomson was not only an able physician, but a friend. All that was best and noblest found practical expression in his life. He was ‘a man.’ During his lengthy residence in the Lakes District he was over animated by a high sense of duty, and his quiet, kindly ways and sympathetic manner made his presence welcome in the homes that were shadowed by sickness. To the writer’s knowledge he unobstrusively performed many acts of generosity, and never charged a penny to the poor and needy who sought his advice. It has been said ‘True goodness is like the glow-worm in this — that it shines most when no eyes, except those of Heaven, are upon it.’ Such were the traits in the character of John Bell Thomson, whose whole life was marked by a keen sense of duty, deep and unostentatious piety, and unswerving rectitude and integrity.”  -Otago Witness, 24/2/1915.

Northern Cemetery, Dunedin.

Ethel May Lucas, (1891-1900). "playing the truant"

DISTRESSING FATAL ACCIDENT

A CHILD KILLED ON THE RAILWAY.

A distressing accident occurred on the railway bridge just a little beyond the Pelichet Bay station yesterday afternoon, which resulted in the death of a little girl named Ethel May Lucas, aged 10 years, who resided with her mother ill Moray place, near the Turkish baths. It appears that the little girl, together with a companion named Norah Connor aged seven years, were "playing the truant" from school, and wandered along the line past Pelichet Bay station. They were on the bridge, about 10 yards from the end, when the goods train from Port Chalmers, reaching town at 2.15 p.m., approached. The children so far as can be gathered, saw the train approach, and the younger one got underneath the bridge. The other stood still, probably paralysed with fear, and was struck by the engine on the side of the head and knocked into the water below. The accident was observed from the Pelichet Bay station, and the officials there immediately ran up to the bridge. The body was picked up beneath, but life was evidently quite extinct, — in fact, death must have been instantaneous, as Dr Riley who was sent for, found on examination that the child's neck was broken. The father of deceased William J. Lucas is employed as butcher on the Elingamite. An inquest will be held at 9.30 tins morning.  -Otago Daily Times, 15/6/1900.

INQUEST.

An inquest was held this morning before Mr Coroner Carew and a jury of six (Mr James Todd foreman) on the body of Ethel May Lucas, who was killed on the railway line at Pelichet Bay yesterday afternoon. 

Sarah Barbara Lucas, mother of deceased, said that her daughter was born in Dunedin, and was nine years of age. She was attending the Normal School, and left her home in Moray place yesterday morning to go to school. She returned home a little after twelve o'clock, and left for school again at five minutes past one. Witness expected her home at three o'clock, but the police came to the house a little after that hour and informed her what had happened. She had never heard any complaints of deceased not attending school. 

Charles Belworthy, station-master at Pelichet Bay, said that about 2.10 p.m. yesterday he heard the Palmerston to Dunedin train approaching. On going outside to give the usual signal he saw two girls, the deceased and another girl, on the railway bridge, about 150yds from the station platform. They were facing north in the direction of the engine. As soon as witness saw them they seemed to catch sight of the train. At first they appeared surprised and uncertain which way to go. The engine would then be about 300yds from them. They then turned to come back, and seemed to be frightened, and were holding each other to walk. The younger one, Norah Connor, either fell or dropped down at the south end of the bridge on the town side, and got clear of the line. Immediately afterwards deceased appeared to make a spring to the same side, when the engine caught her and threw her down the embankment on the town side. Deceased appeared to drop on her head. The train came into the station before witness could do anything. He ran to deceased with the guard of the train, and found her lying in the water, which was about 2ft deep. They got her out, and, as far as witness could see, there was no appearance of life. They carried her to the railway station, and telephoned for a doctor and the police. The other girl was not hurt. Dr Riley appeared on the scene shortly afterwards. The engine-driver could not have pulled up any quicker than he did. He had frequently turned children back from going on the line. When witness saw the girls on the bridge be ran back to the station, and with a red flag gave the danger signal. The engine was then about 200 or 250 yards from the girls. 

Dr Riley said that deceased died from a sustained fracture of the skull and a broken neck. 

Alexander Graham said he was driver of the engine of the train from Palmerston to Dunedin yesterday afternoon. He blew the whistle in the ordinary course for the Pelichet Bay station. He was going then about fourteen miles an hour, and had steam shut off. When he whistled he would be about 400 or 450 yards from the station. From the driver's side of the engine he could not see the station until about 160 or 170 yards from it. He was looking for the stationmaster's signal, and at the same time his eye caught the children on the bridge. He was then about twenty yards from them, and the engine partly on the bridge. He applied the brake immediately, and his mate applied sand at the same time. He could not see over the engine as to which part struck the child. Witness could have done no more than he did to check the speed of the engine. The train was a heavy goods one. It was not possible for him to see the children from his position as driver until within twenty or thirty yards from where they were. It was common to find children along the banks of the line between Pelichet Bay and Logan Point. Witness stopped the engine just opposite the station platform. 

Henry Woodhead, fireman on the engine in question, also gave evidence. 

The jury returned a verdict that deceased was accidentally killed by being knocked over by a railway engine; no blame being attached to any person.  -Evening Star, 15/6/1900.

Southern Cemetery, Dunedin. DCC photo.

Alexander Williamson, (1863-24/7/1880). "sleepers on the engine"

INQUEST.

An inquest was held at the St. Kilda Hotel, to-day, before the City Coroner, and a jury of twelve, of whom Mr J, P. Jones was chosen foreman, on the body of Alexander Williamson, who was killed on the reclamation works on Saturday. 

The Coroner said that this was an inquiry into the death of Alexander Williamson, a Harbor Board  employe, who was killed, he believed accidentally, on Saturday last. There was nothing special for him to comment on; it would be for the jury to say whether proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents to the employes. 

James Williamson stated that the deceased, Alexander Williamson, was his son. His age at the time of his death was seventeen. He was a native of the Shetland Islands, and a Presbyterian. 

James Morrison said; I am an enginedriver in the employ of the Harbor Board. About ten o’clock on. Saturday morning last I was shunting loaded waggons past my engine at Jetty street. I had just brought them from the Maitland street works, After uncoupling as usual I went forward about 20ft with the engine, and the deceased put on the coupling rope to the foremost truck. This was done to enable the waggons to travel along one line and the engine another, and to give the waggons an impetus. Before coming to the points I slacked off to allow the deceased to uncouple the rope, which he did, following up the engine with it in his hand. There were nine waggons, five of which ran by the deceased, but the wheel of the sixth I saw strike him as he was lying on the rail. I could not say what caused him to fall, as I did not see him until the waggon went over him. As soon as I saw what happened I went up, and I think death must have been instantaneous. The method of working the trucks with a rope I consider quite safe.

John Johnson, foreman of the Maitland street works, said: I was standing on the main line about twenty yards distant from where the accident occurred. The last time I saw the deceased he had unhooked the rope to follow up the engine, and was about halfway between where the engine was standing and the junction of the lines s that would be about 15ft from the points. I went to shift the points, and whilst so engaged I heard a cry which I think came from the engine-driver, I looked up and saw the deceased lying with his head on the waggon rails. The only way in which I can account for the accident is that the deceased was standing too near to the waggons, one of which struck him on the shoulder and sent him forward. There was no necessity for him to stand so near the waggons, as there is plenty of room away from the rails. The deceased had been with me for the last two years, employed at similar work. There were some sleepers on the engine, but I do not think they in any way caused his death.

Mark Webb, waterman, said: About ten o’clock on Saturday last I was standing on the reclamation works near to where some shunting was going on. The engine passed me and shortly afterwards I heard a cry. I looked up and saw the deceased lying close to the wheels of the last truck. After seeing the deceased attended to I went up and examined the spot where the accident happened. On the back of the engine were placed a number of sleepers, one of which projected about six inches beyond the side of the engine. Some of the sleepers were slewed round, and one of the small pegs in the rear part of the engine had been cut clean off by the rail swinging round. On one of the rails I found a number of blood spots, and towards the end there was more blood than on any other part. From these observations I came to the conclusion that the fifth waggon, the side of which projects farther than the rest, had caught the rails in passing and thus slewed them round, and that the deceased had been struck by the sleeper with the marks of blood on it. I consider that it is a dangerous practice to put sleepers on the engine. 

James Morrison recalled said that he was aware that the sleepers were found slewed round after the accident, but he could not say whether any of them struck the accused. They had often put the sleepers across the engine in the same manner previously, but orders had been given that no more were to be put on as they damaged the smoke-box by catching against the posts at Anderson’s Bay. 

John Johnson, recalled, stated that for his own part he could not see how death could have been caused by the rails across the engine. If they had been projecting beyond the engine 6in they would have struck against the posts at Anderson’s Bay, because there was only 3in between the engine and the posts. Again, as the deceased was found lying, the rail must have been knocked off the engine to strike him at all. 

The Coroner, in summing up, said that it might be fairly concluded that death was caused by the sleeper striking the deceased, although there might be a very good reason for Mr Johnson’s conclusion, viz , that if the sleepers did project more than 8in they would have been knocked off as they passed through the gateway. 

The jury then returned a verdict of “Accidental death,” adding a rider to the effect that they were of opinion that sleepers should not be carried across an engine, but that they should in future he stowed in a safe position upon the trucks.  -Evening Star, 26/7/1880.

Southern Cemetery, Dunedin. DCC photo.