23640 Private Robert Wallace Watson, 16/12/1895-17/1/1921.

Robert Wallace Watson was a Glasgow-born, Dunedin-based painter when he enlisted. He left New Zealand for France in mid-1916.

Robert Watson was wounded in battle three times, all minor wounds, before he received his ultimately fatal gunshot wound in 1918 which left him a cripple.  

A memo sent to the military records office in Wellington, giving details of his military burial, adds theis description of the cause of death: "GSW spine, mental aberration, asthenia." GSW (gunshot wound) seems simple enough, but "mental aberration" is a shocker.  As for "asthenia," it needed some research to find that it refers to a general and extreme fatigue of the body and mind.

Mr Robert Wallace Watson, the eldest son of Mr and Mrs R. S. Watson, of Belleknowes, died in the Dunedin Hospital on Monday morning from the effects of wounds received in action on July 21, 1918. Though discharged from the forces in April last, he had never been out of hospital since his return to New Zealand in January, 1919. Private Watson was wounded four times during his two years in France. He bore with great fortitude the spinal incapacity from which he finally succumbed, and his loss is greatly deplored by a large circle of friends and comrades.  -Otago Daily Times, 18/1/1921.

FOR THE EMPIRE’S CAUSE. 

DEATH. 

WATSON. — On January 17, at Dunedin Hospital (the result of wounds received on active service, July, 1918), 23640 — Private Robert Wallace Watson, the beloved eldest son of R. S. and M. Watson, 7 Carnarvon street, Belleknowes, Mornington; aged 25 years.

“A patient sufferer gone to rest.” 

MILITARY FUNERAL. The Friends of Mr and Mrs R. S. WATSON (and Family) are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral of their late SON, 23640 — Private R. W. WATSON, which will leave their Residence, 7 Carnarvon street, Belleknowes, Mornington, TO-MORROW (WEDNESDAY), the 19th inst., at 2 p.m., for the Anderson’s Bay Cemetery.— HOPE & KINASTON, Undertakers, 36 St. Andrew street.   -Otago Daily Times, 18/1/1918.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.

Moses Brown, 1855-27/8/1940.

VETERAN MINER

MR MOSES BROWN'S LIFE 

EARLY DAYS AT KYEBURN DIGGINGS 

FROM FARM BOY TO SUCCESSFUL MINER 

Reminiscences of the early mining days at Kyeburn Diggings are retained by Mr Moses Brown. 84 year-old pioneer of Naseby, who must be one of the oldest residents of Otago still actively associated with gold mining ventures. Mr Brown went to Kyeburn Diggings in 1880, when there were hundreds of miners in the district, and he still has a claim which is being worked successfully. Mr Brown was born at Sawden, Yorkshire, in 1855, and was brought up to an agricultural life, which offered few hopes of the adventure, excitement, and success that he was later to enjoy on the mining fields of Otago. Mr Brown did not remain for long a farmer's boy and instead became a puddler at an ironworks. The puddler's job then was the hottest in existence in this world, Mr Brown says, and he can remember his cheek and arm being almost raw from the burning heat. He still has the scars to recall that job, and he often wonders how the others on the same work stood up to it, for he remembers how their arms and cheeks looked like raw beef. They seemed to feel the heat far worse than he did.

The Lure of Gold

The depression of 1880 caused the ironworks to close down, and so Mr Brown decided to seek his fortune in New Zealand, from which country stories of gold rushes were emanating. He set sail in the Coromandel early in 1880, and arrived at Port Chalmers on April 1, 1880. He travelled straight to the Kyeburn Diggings, and immediately set to work with the hundreds of other miners who were trying to wrest a fortune from the land and river bed.

Success soon came to him, and in 1884 he was able to buy out the claim of John Francis Christian for £1500. Christian had a fairly rich claim, but found difficulty in working it. On one occasion he had a quarter-acre claim just below what was known as a white drift, and in one small spot recovered 33lb of gold. When this was cleaned out they looked for more near the drift, but could not find any. The pocket seemed to have fallen out of the clouds. When Mr Brown took over the claim he introduced pipes to get the required pressure for sluicing, and he believes that he was the first man to use this method at the diggings. At that time he was employing men on 12 hour shifts at 1s an hour. Later on he and a brother and four others were engaged in dredging the Big Kyeburn, but the Great War put up the costs of labour and machinery so high that they had to cease operations. Mr Brown kept on working at the Diggings, and met with considerable success at different periods of his life. It was no uncommon thing for him to bank 50 or 60 ounces of gold at the Ranfurly Bank for a few week's work, and he is very proud of his first bank book, which he commenced in 1884. He is still supervising the working of a good claim at Kyeburn Diggings, in which his son and nephew are engaged. 

Activities of the Chinese 

There were about 200 Chinese working at the Diggings when Mr Brown first arrived there. They seemed to live in tribes in peculiar houses made of tussock and scrub. They worked in gangs of about five, and were very successful in their search for gold. They turned over the main line of the Kyeburn for miles, and had a way of working that was entirely their own. The river had a fall of about 40 feet to the mile, and the Chinese would shovel in at water level until they reached the river bottom. Then they would start a race to carry the water of the river into their box. Two of the gang would shovel the material into the box, one would stand on the bank and pick out the big stones, and the other two would shovel away the surplus material. They got a large quantity of gold in this way, and no one ever bothered them.

In 1881 a Mrs Young was murdered, and a Chinese was hanged for the crime. From that time on, Mr Brown said, the Chinese began to drift away from the Diggings, and soon there were very few left. Mr Brown recalled the murder of the Chinese, Chum, at Mount Buster some years ago, and related an interesting story connected with the crime. Chum was very popular with everyone in the district, Mr Brown said, and it was a big shock when it was known that he had been murdered. Just before the crime, Mr Brown had a dream that something happened to Chum and he saw him lying dead on the ground. He saw in his dream £800 worth of gold hidden in a wall of the hut under a window-sill. Then came the discovery of the crime, and Mr Brown was appointed as mining expert at the trial and washed up the claim. About a year after a diviner was going over the area, and his rod told him that there was a small quantity of gold in the wall of Chum's hut. They investigated, and discovered a hiding place under a window-sill just as Mr Brown had dreamt. The gold had been removed, however, and only a very small quantity of gold dust remained. What happened to Chum's horde will never be discovered, but it was known that he had a fair amount of gold hidden away.

"The Golden Age"

Mr Brown has vivid memories of old Naseby, when thousands of miners used to come into the town to spend their earnings and to enjoy the varied entertainment offered in the mining town. He remembers the start of the little cemetery at Kyeburn Diggings, when a man named Scarlett, who was killed in a fall of earth was buried under a crude tombstone. He remembers the school at the diggings that once accommodated 60 children but is now almost a ruin. "They were unforgettable days" Mr Brown concluded as he bade the Otago Daily Times reporter farewell, "but they were cruel, brutal times. I like to see the increased use of the machine, for it is freeing the horse and other working animals. Man was never intended to make animals work for him, nor to slaughter them for food. I look forward to the day when he will be able to exist on vegetable matter and stop slaughtering the defenceless animals. That will be the golden age, and I hope I may live to see it."  -Otago Daily Times, 26/4/1939.

MR MOSES BROWN, A veteran miner of the Kyeburn diggings pictured with just under 60 ounces of gold.  -Otago Daily Times, 26/4/1939.

PERSONAL

Mr Moses Brown, aged 85 years, a well known and respected resident of Naseby, died last week. He was engaged in gold mining for many years, and met with considerable success.   -Dunstan Times, 2/9/1940.

Kyeburn Diggings Cemetery, Otago.

The Kyeburn Tragedy of 1891.

TERRIBLE CALAMITY.

BOY LOST IN THE MOUNTAINS. 

THREE MEN KILLED ATTEMPTING TO RESCUE HIM. 

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] NASEBY, August 3. Two boys living at the Upper Kyeburn, named James and Thomas Meikle, aged eighteen and fourteen respectively, were rabbiting on J. and J. McReady's run, on the Maerewhenua side of the Kakanui Ranges, on Thursday last, when the younger boy became exhausted. His brother's story is to the effect that, being unable to assist him, he travelled some miles to his hut, obtained a blanket, and returned to the little fellow, wrapped him up, and stayed with him till five o'clock on Friday morning. Then, seeing the boy apparently dying, he again left him, and, reaching home, informed his father, who set out with him to the boy's assistance. The ascent of the mountain proved too much for the father, who entirely collapsed, and was severely frost-bitten, but managed to return to the nearest house, but not till Saturday morning, when the neighbors were informed of the occurrence, and 

A SEARCH PARTY OF NINE was immediately organised for the purpose of rescuing the boy, with young Meikle as a guide. He led them up Nobbler Peak, and then informed them that he was sure he had guided them wrongly, as his brother was at the back of the opposite spur. The party, with the object of crossing to this spur, proceeded round a steep sidling, covered with a deep coating of snow, between Nobbler Peak and Mount Alexandra, Young Meikle, Alphonso Beer, and Robert Blanchard being slightly in advance of the others, when the snow gave from under them, and they immediately disappeared from the view of their companions, being 

COMPLETELY ENVELOPED IN THE AVALANCHE, which slipped fully 400 yards down the side of the mountain into the gully, and then precipitated with awful velocity over a perpendicular cliff of 50ft in depth. The remainder of the party, being unable to find any trace of their unfortunate comrades, and being utterly unable to do anything towards their assistance, returned to Kyeburn and despatched a messenger to Naseby with the object of procuring help. Early on Sunday morning a large party left Naseby with ropes, shovels, etc., and were augmented by a large party from Kyeburn, there being over 200 men altogether. Considerable difficulty was experienced in reaching the scene of the fatality, the ascent of the mountains being exceedingly trying, but the difficulties were at length surmounted, and the operations of digging away the snow quickly commenced. Very soon 

BLANCHARD'S BODY WAS DISCOVERED about 100 yards from the foot of the cliff, embedded in six or seven feet of snow. One side of his head was frightfully bruised, a portion of his legs also being broken. About a chain further up the gully 

BEER'S BODY WAS FOUND, his head also being badly bruised. Some twenty or thirty yards further up 

MEIKLE'S BODY WAS DISCOVERED without any marks of injury, and it is thought he must have lived some time after reaching the bottom. The other two were evidently killed outright by the fall. The three bodies were with the greatest difficulty conveyed down the mountain, and afterwards removed to Monk's Pass Hotel, where an inquest will be held to-morrow. Blanchard was twenty-two years of age, and Beer twenty, and both young man were greatly respected throughout the district. The two boys Meikle were the main support of the family. The sad affair has caused tremendous excitement, it being the 

MOST AWFUL in its nature that has ever appeared in this district. A party has been organised to search for the little boy Meikle to-day, but it is anticipated they will not be successful for some time, as the only person who knew of his exact whereabouts was his brother, who is now dead. One of his dogs is, however, supposed to be still with him. Of course there is not the slightest hope of finding the boy alive.  -Evening Star, 3/8/1891.

Monk's Pass Hotel, Hocken Library photo.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A movement is on foot to erect a suitable monument in the Kyeburn Cemetery in commemoration of the victims of the recent casualty at Kyeburn. Messrs. A. P. Beer, Robert Blanchard and James Meikle met their death in their heroic endeavours to save the life of Thomas Meikle, and it is only right that their noble conduct should be thus recognised. Subscription lists have been distributed throughout the district, and should be returned to Mr. W. Guffie, County Chairman, who, at the request of a number of subscribers, has consented to act as treasurer. The names of subscribers will be published in The Chronicle.  -Mt Ida Chronicle, 8/8/1891.

The Mount Ida Chronicle reports that a movement is on foot to erect a suitable monument in the Kyeburn cemetery in commemoration of the victims of the recent casualty at Kyeburn. Our contemporary states with reference to the avalanche which caused the deaths of A. P. Beer, Robert Blanchard, and James Meikle, that it descended without the slightest warning, and the remaining members of the party were horrified to see their three companions who were leading swept out of sight in a moment. Two others of the party — Messrs T. Blanchard and C. Archer — very narrowly escaped a similar fate, being drawn back just in time by Mr H. Smith. Nearly the whole side of the mountain appeared to move, and the avalanche swept with terrible velocity into the gully, a distance of about 400 yds, then along the bed of the creek, over two waterfalls, the latter being a precipitous cliff of about 50ft in depth, and finally became wedged in between the two banks of the creek. The rest of the party were almost stupefied for a time, but quickly recovering themselves, they hastily made their way down to the creek but failed to find any trace whatever of their ill-fated comrades, with the exception of a cap belonging to James Meikle. Regarding the recovery of the body of Thomas Meikle, our contemporary reports that the search party when they were about a mile and a-half on the Tokorahi side of the range espied a number of dogs down a gully, and, hurrying down, they found the body of the poor little fellow, partly protected by a rock. He was lying on his back with his cap over his face, and had evidently passed away in his sleep. Three or four dogs were with him, while one faithful animal lay right across him, and was only removed with difficulty. The other dogs at once scampered away, following the party at a distance of about half a mile, but this one remained close to the body of his young master, and acted in such a way as to make it apparent that he fully understood what had happened.  -Otago Daily Times, 10/8/1891.

THE KYEBURN DISASTER.

On Sabbath evening last, at the Presbyterian Church, Naseby, the Rev. J. McCosh Smith spoke with reference to the recent sad calamity at Kyeburn, taking as his text the 13th verse of the 25th chapter of Matthew: "Watch, therefore; for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." After narrating the connected with the sad event, he concluded, with the following impressive remarks:

"I shall now call attention to what I call the crucial or trying positions. The first crucial position is that of the young men face to face with the disaster — two Archers, two Blanchards, John Parker and H. Smith. All these were within a very little of being swept away in the same avalanche. Think of their position, especially that of the brothers of Robert Blanchard. No warning, nothing to prepare their minds for what had happened! In a moment their comrades swept away, swept down to death! The shock must have been tremendous. These young men can never forget what they then saw: their hearts can never lose the impression then made. To all these the words of Christ must come with solemn power: "Watch, therefore; for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." What a sight! What a moment in their lives! Never before, never again are they likely to be in such another impressive situation. The world can never efface the impression then made; time cannot destroy it. Surely, indelibly, it is written in their hearts to bless, to deepen life, to introduce them to something more solemn than they have yet known. Think especially of the brothers Blanchard, their situation, the agony of their hearts, the awful moment in their lives! Therefore, be ye also ready; for at such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

The second crucial situation is that of the father of Alphonso Beer. He was in the search party too, only about a mile behind the foremost band. He never reached the scene of the disaster. The news was carried down to him, and what bewildering news too! His son and two others lost, swept down to death amid snow and ice, precipice and waterfall! What crushing news! He who had watched over his son from infancy up, he who had been so proud of his boy all the years he had had him, he now having the news brought him as he stood there that his son had been killed! What a crushing, what an overwhelming power of grief entering into his heart! A torrent of anguish, and one that could in no way be turned aside. It was true; it could not be otherwise. No hope, not a shadow of hope. What heaviness of heart! No wonder he turned himself about and walked home more like one dead than alive.

Then comes the third crucial situation — that of the three mothers and two of the fathers at home. How can the news he told there? How can the darkness be best admitted into these homes — homes already dark, especially that of the lost boy Tommy Meikle? How can the news be told to the sisters and brothers on the Sabbath, at home and abroad? You cannot conceive the state. I was there when the last ray of hope vanished. No tongue can tell the effect; words cannot convey any idea of the anguish in these homes. Tears were nothing; hearts so full that no tears could flow. Silent weeping, silent enduring, or outbursts of agony that no heart of man could hear and be unmoved. The most callous, the most hardened, the most indifferent could not enter and see and hear and go away without a deep pain at their hearts. But not there alone was there grief and lamentation. As the news spread the grief rose up in all hearts. The whole district felt the solemnity of death lying upon it. There was not a man; not a woman, not a boy or a girl that would not have run to the rescue. There was not a heart that did not share the burden. There was sympathy for those who had lost. There was more: all had lost as well as fathers and mothers and sisters and brothers, all had lost with the parents who had lost. The whole district felt itself poorer by the calamity. What, then, is the voice here? What does this calamity say? Does it not take up the language the Saviour used long ago and say: "Watch, therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come"? Have we not here a new edition of the old words, and with tremendous emphasis too? Think of Tommy busy rabbiting all Thursday without a thought of danger. Think of him toiling on past the sunny noon into the afternoon, and not a thought of death in all his mind. Think of him having wandered away in his work, and now, when the sun begins to set and the stars to rise, he cannot or is unable to find his way home. Think of him at first becoming a little uneasy, but yet brave and courageous. Think of him as the sense of danger grows in his mind, at first small and next larger. Think of him as he comes to the conclusion that he cannot now get home without help. Think of him in the snow, cold and wet, yet brave and determined to do his utmost, firing the tussocks to attract the attention of his elder brother. Think of the joyous meeting when his brother finds him — the relief, the hope his presence would give Tommy. But they now both conclude that they cannot get home, and lie down, wrapping themselves in the blanket in a vain endeavour to cheat the frost and the snow out of their victims. Then in the morning, when the night is coldest, the elder boy finds that his young brother is dying, stiff and cold, gasping for breath, and he can do nothing for him. At last he can stand it no longer, and he rushes away again to try for more help. Tommy, noticing this, makes a last effort, and, rising to follow, falls in a pool of water. The elder boy returns again, and lays him down in the most sheltered spot he can find, and hastens away. He cannot stay: he must go. And, really, what more could the elder brother do in the circumstances? He cannot carry him, he cannot warm him. He can do nothing more than stand by and see the final end. He had sought him in the darkness of night in the snowy mountain, he had trudged over rock, past cliff, and through snowy wreath; wearied as he must have been by his exertions the previous day, he could not stay at home — he must be out and away, and at last, after doing in the darkness what twenty men were employed about in the broad daylight on the Monday thereafter, he found him after prodigious efforts. He wrapped him in a blanket, and took him to his bosom, and yet he could not save him, yet he could not ward off death, and yet Tommy was gasping for breath and dying. Does all this not say to us: "Watch, therefore"?

Think again of the three young men, the same elder brother one of them. Think of their efforts to find Tommy dead or alive. Think of them as they step into the snow that is to clasp them in its cold embrace and carry them down to death. They are alive on this side of time the one minute; the next minute they are dead and in eternity! They suffer no lingering illness. They have not a second in which to think, not a moment in which to say farewell. They reach eternity with one bound. What does this not say? Does it not say: "Watch, therefore"? I make no attempt to penetrate the secrets of the lives of these. I pass no judgment upon their state before God — I do not think that this is within my power, as it is not within my right. But certainly it is true that where these were best known they were most loved. It is true that our last sight of them, risking their lives to render help or to save life, is as good a sight as we could wish to have of any man at death. Their parents, their sisters and brothers could not have their last look of them more gratifying than it is. They may look at their lives all along as they have seen them: nothing in their lives became them like their leaving it. Yet their departure was so startling sudden, so overwhelming in its immediacy that the language to us who are left behind must be "Watch, therefore."

The voice is one, the voice is loud that all may hear. The voice enters every ear, and forces its way into the conscience of the old, of the middle-aged, but especially it is a voice to the young men of the neighhourhood. It is but as yesterday that two young men lost their lives as suddenly. To-day, you may say, four young men have met a similar end. Is it possible that any young men are so careless as to consider themselves above the need of a religion or of a Saviour? Is it possible that any young men have been saying: ''We are young; we can never die; we need no religion"? Is it possible that any young people have been living under such an influence? Does this catastrophe not dispel the delusion? Does this event not tear the veil aside that has been hiding the terrible reality of life and death from these? Is God a name and nothing more? Is Christ the Saviour that any do not need? Can any afford to trample on sacred things? Can any afford to give themselves up to a life of ungodliness? Are there not clouds of dust about, clouds of small talk that act as a net thrown over the unwary? Are mists and fogs not lying low, obscuring the spiritual vision and tempting the young to their ruin? Can there be any such thing? Gossip — ungodly gossip often, and all talk — warping the judgments, entangling the wills of men! To these I would say, in the language of Scripture: "Take heed lest there be any one that maketh spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ!" Death will stand no such nonsense; the coming of eternity will not postpone its time for a moment, not one. Beggarly elements, indeed, are all such philosophy and vain deceit —beggarly elements for any one to live and die in. Is there not a Saviour? Has Christ not come? What could be nobler than to be found in Him — living in Him? Is He not the light of the world? Are not all other lights sheer darkness and bewildering confusions? Words and philosophies of men — what are these in comparison with the words of eternal life in Christ? Let the district hear the voices, then, that comes from out of this calamity. Let men's ears be opened; let men's hearts be impressed. Let it be a voice calling us all to life and not to death. Let it be a voice we can never forget. Something to teach, to instruct, to warn, to direct, so that we will be ready when the decisive moment comes to each one of us.  -Mt Ida Chronicle, 13/8/1891.

THE KYEBURN FATALITY

List of Subscribers towards erecting a suitable Memorial in the Kyeburn Cemetery to commemorate the noble efforts of A. P. Beer, R. Blanchard and J. Meikle, who lost their lives in an avalanche of snow in their heroic endeavours to rescue Thomas Meikle. Amounts previously acknowledged — 

Per Mr. John Law, Gimmerburn. - Total .. .. £7 17 0 

Per Mr. P. J. Greer, Sowburn - Total .. .. £2 15s 6d. 

Per Mr. T. Forgie, Kyeburn - Total .. .. £9 10s. 

Per Mr. A. O. Mathias, Hamilton. - Total.. .. £2 10s 6d. 

Per Mr. William Pyle, St. Bathans. - Total .. .. £l2 18s 6d. 

Per Mr. Donald McLennan, Maruimato. - Total .. .. £5 15s 6d 

Per Mr. W. A. Johnstone, Blackstone - Total .. .. £6 8s. 6d. 

Per Mr. James Brown, Naseby - Total .. .. £l3 8s. 

Per Mr. G. Wallace, Lower Spec. - Total .. .. £2 10s. 

Per Mr. R. Little, East Kyeburn. - Total .. .. £11 16s. 6d. 

Per Mr. J. M. Maisey, Eweburn. - Total .. ..  £1 10s. 

Per Mr. A. McSwan, - Total ..  £1 8s. 

W. GUFFIE, Treasurer.  -Mt Ida Chronicle, 12/11/1891.

The £79.8s raised then is worth $10,328 at time of writing.

Kyeburn Diggings Cemetery, Otago.

Edwin Francis Parker 1878-28/8/1916.

ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS

Edwin Francis Parker was killed by a fall of earth on Monday while working in his claim at Kyeburn Diggings. Mr Parker, who was married, was highly respected in the Kyeburn district.   -Evening Star, 30/8/1916.

A very distressing accident happened at Kyeburn Diggings on Monday afternoon, which resulted in the death of Mr Edwin Francis Parker. Towards the close of the afternoon he was working in his tailrace (about 20ft) deep in order to get ready to restart his claim, and as it was dangerous at the spot owing to cracks in the side, his brother-in-law, Mr Thomas Blanchard, who works with him, stood on the top to give warning if the ground began to fall. He noticed a lump falling out of the side of the race a few feet down and called out. Deceased looked up, saw it coming, and endeavoured to get away, but was caught and knocked against the side, the lump covering him up to his neck. Mr Blanchard had to break it up to remove it, and he and Mrs Parker and her young son managed to carry him out of the claim. Help was procured to carry him home, and the doctor sent for, but he expired about half-an-hour after his arrival. He was badly crushed about the chest, a leg was broken and the back of his head hurt. The unfortunate man never recovered consciousness but gradually sank. An inquest was held yesterday, and the funeral took place in the afternoon, the Rev. W. T. Drake conducting the service. He leaves a widow and four children, the eldest of whom is about thirteen. The accident came as a shock to his friends and neighbours, and great sympathy is felt for the bereaved family.   -Mt Ida Chronicle, 1/9/1916.

Death.

PARKER. — At Kyeburn Diggings, as the result of accident in claim, on Monday 28th inst, Edwin Francis, the beloved husband of Bessie Parker; aged 40 years.  -Mt Ida Chronicle, 1/9/1916.

Kyeburn Diggings Cemetery, Otago.

Archibald McDonald, 1888-10/2/1926.

 LOCAL AND GENERAL.

In event of the school picnic tomorrow being postponed on account of wet weather, the children are expected, to assemble at school as usual. 

Archibald McDonald was killed yesterday when working at the Public Works Department quarry at Upper Junction. No particulars are available, says a Dunedin message.   -Hawera Star, 11/2/1926.

QUARRY FATALITY. 

INQUEST ON VICTIM OPENED. 

An inquest was opened at the morgue yesterday, before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., sitting as coroner, to inquire into the circumstances of the death of Archibald Donald McDonald who was killed at the Public Works Department’s quarry at Upper Junction on Wednesday. Formal evidence of identification was given by Ebenzer Bannatyne McDonald, brother of deceased, and the inquest was then adjourned to 10.30 a.m. on Monday next. Deceased was a married man, aged 38 years, and resided with his wife and family at Mount Cargill, he was employed by the Public Works Department at the Upper Junction quarry and met his death through being caught in the belting’ driving the crusher. Before the machinery could be stopped, he was badly crushed about the head and body, and died shortly afterwards.  -Otago Daily Times, 12/2/1926.

NO NEGLIGENCE

Mt Cargill quarry fatality 

CIRCUMSTANCES UNFORESEEN 

Further evidence heard this morning at the inquest on Archibald Donald McDonald, who was killed at the Public Works Department’s quarry at Upper Junction last Wednesday, satisfied the coroner (Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M.) that there had been no negligence in the matter of looking to the safety of the machinery, in which deceased was caught and flung to the ground. 

Mr F. B. Adams appeared for the department, Mr J. O. Saunders for the relatives, and Sergeant Bonisch for the police. 

Evidence was given by John Albert Hodges (who was working with deceased just before the accident), Gordon George McIvor (a lorry driver), Lionel Stanhope Dawson (inspector of machinery), Dr Charles Ritchie Burns (resident medical officer at the hospital), John Joseph Jones (quarry overseer). Constable Connor (of Waitati), and Thomas George Gordon Beck (assistant engineer of public works, Dunedin). 

The evidence showed that deceased was working in the bins with the first fitness, and seeing a lorry coming, he attempted to descend to help load it. He had to step over a moving belt, and close to the end of an uncovered shaft, and his coat became caught in the shafting, so that he was flung to the ground. The Inspector of Machinery was of opinion that the erection of such machinery should have been reported to his department. There was a difference of opinion among the witnesses as to whether it was necessary for deceased to go round that way, and the general opinion seemed to be that while it might be necessary, a careful man would have stopped the machinery first. It was stated that this particular piece of machinery was assembled by deceased, who was a highly competent man, and one who would be well aware of danger.

CORONER’S REMARKS The Coroner said that the actual cause of this unfortunate accident was clear enough: the clothing of deceased was caught, and he was thrown to the road. The belt and shafting were not protected, and at first glance that appeared to be a matter of negligent oversight. Nor had the erection of the granulator plant been reported to the inspector of machinery. The explanation of the engineer was that the structure was only a temporary one, and the department’s own skilled officers looked after such matters. It seemed that the actual duties in which deceased was engaged at the time of the accident were duties that were not contemplated by the overseer of the work. They were duties that were the outcome of the exigencies of the moment, when a shortage of lorries kept the bins full of metal. Deceased himself was spoken of as a very careful and competent workman, who was in charge of this particular portion of the plant, and who was fully alive to its condition. If it had been contemplated that the plant was to have been used in that way by deceased, then it would have been proper to provide the protection that was afterwards added, but the work which deceased and the boy were doing did not enter into contemplation at the time. What first appeared to be a matter of considerable negligence had been fairly well explained away. The verdict would be that death was due to injury received through deceased being thrown to the ground after his clothing had been caught in the shafting at the Mount Cargill quarry.   -Evening Star, 15/2/1926.

Otakia Cemetery, Otago.

Everybody's Theatre, Princes St, Dunedin

The building known by Dunedinites as "Everybody's Theatre," or the "old DEKA," or "McKenzie's" was built about 1880 as "Hislop's Exchange Court" building.  After 30 years as office space for lawyers ad estate agents the motion picture boom led to its conversion into a picture palace.  Most living Dunedin residents will remember it, and the building next door,  as a department store.  

TENDERS

EXCHANGE COURT THEATRE

TENDERS are invited till 2 p.m. of MONDAY, 29th March for the ERECTION of PICTURE THEATRE in the EXCHANGE COURT.

Plans may be seen at the Office of the undersigned, where tenders may be lodged.

E W Walden, Architect, Dowling St.  -Evening Star, 13/3/1915.

SALES BY AUCTION

DISMANTLED MATERIAL OF EXCHANGE COURT. 

S C U R R & CO. have received instructions from Mr W. McLellan (contractor for the new Exchange Court Picture Theatre) to sell by auction as above, 

The Dismantlings of the Old Building, comprising: 

Kauri doors (all sizes), sashes, frames, architraves, slides, mantelpieces, grates, glass partition, strongroom doors, basins, sinks, chimney pots, and the whole of the fittings of the old court. 

Also, Strongroom, cased with double steel doors. The material throughout is perfectly sound and of the highest quality. 

Open for inspection on Friday afternoon and morning of sale.

 SCURR & CO., Auctioneers.   -Otago Daily Times, 5/5/1915.

LATE ADVERTISEMENTS

WANTED. THOROUGHLY COMPETENT PIANIST For "Everybody's" Continuous Picture Theatre, Exchange Court Buildings, Princes street, Dunedin. 

Applications, with testimonials (which will be treated as strictly confidential), must reach the undersigned by noon on MONDAY, 16th August 1915. 

JOSEPH O. HOPCRAFT, Secretary. 12 Octagon.  -Evening Star, 7/8/1915.

SITUATIONS VACANT

MANAGER WANTED 

FOR "EVERYBODY'S" CONTINUOUS PICTURE THEATRE, EXCHANGE COURT BUILDINGS, PRINCES STREET, DUNEDIN. 

Must be a first-class showman, with previous experience, and possess necessary qualifications. Applications, with copies of testimonials, close with the Undersigned on SATURDAY, 21st August, 1915. 

JOSEPH O. HOPCRAFT, Secretary. 12 Octagon. Dunedin. 

PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE.  (abridged)

This new picture house in Princes street is fast nearing completion, and will be in readiness for opening on Thursday next. The first feature film to be presented is a five-act drama by the World Film Corporation, the title of which is 'The Dollar Mark.' The story is of the life and death struggles of two big men for wealth and the power it brings and for a beautiful woman. These are the swift-running currents which carrv George Broadhurst's play, 'The Dollar Mark,' rushingly along through virile and fascinating scenes to its climax.  -Evening Star, 8/11/1915.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE

OPENING THIS EVENING. 

Another attraction in amusements will be set in motion this evening, when the superb picture palace in Princes street, situated on the site of the old Exchange Court, will be opened to the public with a strong programme. Occupying a prominent place in the public view, and being admirably adapted for a place of entertainment, it is safe to say the new theatre will soon claim its quota of the pictureloving section of the community. No expense has been spared to make the building comfortable, upstairs and downstairs, and a wide exit has been provided into Rattray street, which enables the hall to be cleared in a very few minutes. Last night, when the premises were inspected by the directors and a number of friends, many complimentary remarks were passed concorning all the arrangements.

The building is spacious, the area covered by the ground floor being 100 ft by 33ft. On the ground floor are 500 leather upholstered seats, and upstairs 350, and a feature of the place is that, as there are no pillars, every patron may obtain an uninterrupted view of the screen. The ceiling is of fibrous plaster, beautifully designed in three bays and domed. The vestibule at the entrance is roomy, and a wide staircase with thickly-carpeted steps leads upstairs. On what is known as the intermediate or mezzanine floor are the manager's room, store rooms, and Ladies' cloak rooms. The building is neatly and solidly finished throughout in picked Oregon. Special care has been taken with the ventilation, fresh air being circulated by means of a network of tubes let in the walls. There are ample fire escapes of steel. The new theatre reflects credit upon the architect (Mr E. Walden) and the contractor (Mr W. McLellan). Messrs J. J. Marlow (who is responsible for the seating), Messrs A. and T. Burt (lighting and plumbing), Messrs R. S. Wardrop and Co. (decorations), Mr S. Aiken (painting), and Messrs Scoullar and Chisholm (furnishings) also deserve a word of praise for their share in the fitting up. The lantern apparatus forms an important part of a moving-picture show, and in this respect the management of Everybody's has left nothing to be desired. A selection of films was run through the machine, which worked well, all the views being excellently presented. The management intends to adopt a policy of frequent changes of programme, and no effort will be wanting to place a high-class entertainment before patrons. Everybody's will be a continuous exhibition, opening at noon daily. Mr Roderick McCallum, who has been appointed manager, was a former resident of Dunedin. For the past nine years he has been managing picture theatres in Sydney and Brisbane.

Subsequent to the screening of the films the visitors were entertained at a light supper, when a number of toasts were honoured.  -Otago Daily Times, 11/11/1915.

Photos from a  set of interior shots I took some years ago, with a borrowed digital camera.  I have made attempts in recent years to gain access and take better photos but have not been able to get permission.

Each of the conical plaster mouldings connects with a ventilator tower on the theatre's stepped roof.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. 

"Everybody's" is not the least ambitious of titles to give a picture theatre, but anyone who saw the new Princes street house on Saturday evening would have been tempted to the belief that the name came pretty near the truth. The attendances throughout the day were big, but at night the theatre was packed, and people were waiting before 7 o'clock. The fine picture "The Dollar Mark" will be retained during the next few days, but the supports will be changed, the new subjects being a Pussy Foot comedy "Your Name Brown" and the latest Topical Budget, replete with war and other events.   -Otago Daily Times, 15/11/1915.

AMUSEMENTS

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. 

The success of the new picture theatre in Princes street was again marked on Saturday, when great crowds again assembled and much difficulty was found in obtaining seating accommodation. The patience of the waiters, however, was inexhaustible, the people apparently having made up their minds that they were going to get in sooner or later. There will be a complete change of programme to-day, when a fine drama in four acts, "Mother," will be screened. The story shows the fine loyalty and love to her family shown by a patient little woman upon whom has devolved the rearing of a large family, with all its worries and cares, and something more to put up with from the boys than fortunately falls to the lot of all women.   -Otago Daily Times, 22/11/1915.

TALKING PICTURES.

ADDITIONAL THEATRES FOR DUNEDIN. 

FULLER CORPORATION’S ENTERPRISE. 

As a result of the taking over of the control of all Fuller-Hayward theatres by Sir Benjamin and Mr John Fuller, Dunedin will within the nest few weeks have two additional “talkie” houses, equipped with the most modern sound reproducing plants. In the course of conversation with a Daily Times reporter last night, Sir Benjamin Fuller, who arrived in Dunedin yesterday, said that it was the policy of the newly-formed organisation to cater for every purse and every taste, and in view of this it had been decided to install up-to-date sound reproduction plants in the Strand and Everybody’s Theatres. The preliminary arrangements had been completed, and it was expected that the latter house would be reopened in about a fortnight, while the installation in the Strand Theatre would be ready to operate a week or so later. This theatre, of course, would be closed down for sufficient time to allow the necessary improvements to be effected. “We intend,” said Sir Benjamin, “to cater for every purse and every taste, and to this end we are instituting the lowest possible prices at Everybody’s Theatre — prices which I hope will allow everyone to view the latest talking picture at a very moderate tariff. With our associates, we are assured of a plentiful supply of the latest film from all parts of the world, and both the Strand and Everybody’s Theatres will have a weekly change of programme. The Princess we propose keeping as a “long-run” house where we shall show outstanding pictures for so long as the public desires to see them.” 

“We propose also,” concluded Sir Benjamin, “catering for our patrons in the smaller centres, and already Western Electric plants have been ordered for our theatres in Ashburton, Waimate, and Oamaru.”  -Otago Daily Times, 5/5/1930.

NEW TALKIES THEATRES

STRAND AND EVERYBODY'S REOPENING

The Strand and Everybody’s Theatres will reopen next Friday as first class talkie houses. The former theatre, after presenting a number of talkie programmes, closed last Saturday for the purpose of installing the very latest Western Electric sound equipment. 

When the electricians at the Strand have completed their work, which will be about Thursday next, the theatre will again be open to the public, which will bo treated to a well-selected programme of sound films, headed by 'The Isle of Lost Ships.' 

Many a big film success has ushered into the cinema hall of fame half a dozen little-known players, but it is said few screen hits have added so much to the fame of well-known actors as ‘The Isle of Lost Ships’ has contributed to the renown of Virginia Valli and Jason Robards. This First National Vitaphone special presents these popular young stars in an intriguing love story against the eerie, colourful background of the unexplored Sargasso Sea. Here, in a little colony of derelict humans living on an island of derelict ships, a startling drama is evolved. It is so startling, in fact, that it makes the lively beginning of the story, with our hero being taken by a detective to justice, and the electric chair, for an alleged crime of which he is innocent, seem tame in comparison. Miss Valli and Robards fall in love during these stormy scenes, and nothing in their past careers equals the emotional power of their unique affair depicted in ‘The Isle of Lost Ships.’ The picture, of course, has all sound and dialogue, and their voices, too, are in perfect harmony. Noah Beery is the villain; Robert O’Connor plays the role of the detective; and the large and capable supporting cast contains many familiar favourites of stage and screen. 

Everybody’s Theatre has been closed for many months, and the recent announcement to the effect that it would be made a talkie house was received very favourably by the public. This theatre is now in the hands qf painters and the entire interior of the building being repainted, while electricians are busy putting in a talkie plant. 

In this once-popular theatre it is proposed to show the finest talkies which have been billed in this city before — this meaning that only the best second-run talkies will be presented. Under this category the management has decided to screen ‘Madame X.’ on the initial programme of Everybody’s as a talkie theatre. ‘Madame X.’ was well received when shown here some time ago, and it is safe to say it will not lack support when it is screened at Everybody’s. Ruth Chatterton, that natural and pleasing actress, has the title role, in which she is seen at her best.  -Evening Star, 24/5/1930.

AMUSEMENTS. 

EXTRAORDINARY! EXTRAORDINARY! EXTRAORDINARY! 

GRAND REOPENING 

GRAND REOPENING 

GRAND REOPENING 

GRAND REOPENING 

OF

ROX Y THEATRE 

Formerly EVERYBODY’S, 

ON 

SATURDAY AFTERNOON. 

SATURDAY AFTERNOON. 

SATURDAY AFTERNOON. 

SATURDAY AFTERNOON. 

SATURDAY AFTERNOON. 

SATURDAY AFTERNOON. 

SATURDAY AFTERNOON. 

REDECORATED THROUGHOUT 

AND 

EQUIPPED WITH THE VERY LATEST up-to-date sound-recording system THAT SKILL AND MONEY CAN PROVIDE. 

THE MANAGEMENT HAVE PLEASURE IN PRESENTING FOR THE OPENING PROGRAMME Metro-Goldwyn’s Famous Epic,

'MADAME X.’ 

‘MADAME X.’ 

'MADAME X.'  

‘MADAME X.'

'MADAME X.’ 

‘MADAME X.’

'MADAME X.’

'MADAME X.’ 

‘MADAME X.’

‘MADAME X.'

The All-Talking Pictures’ Greatest Triumph is here now. A Marvellous Play, brought to the screen with a magic of direction and emotional acting that have swept all others before them. 

-Evening Star, 28/5/1930.

TO-MORROW AFTERNOON. Third Episode of “THE SPELL OF THE CIRCUS.” 

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! 

All Children who have been following 

“THE LIGHTNING EXPRESS” 

“THE LIGHTNING EXPRESS”

 “THE LIGHTNING EXPRESS” 

AT THE ROXY THEATRE, PLEASE NOTE THAT THE REMAINING EPISODES WILL BE SCREENED AT THE STRAND THEATRE After the ordinary performances EACH SATURDAY, commencing TO-MORROW AFTERNOON. CHILDREN BRING YOUR CARDS AS USUAL.  -Otago Daily Times, 19/6/1931.

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WOOLWORTH’S (N.Z.) LTD.

IMPRESSIVE OPENING SCENES 

The opening of Woolworth’s (N.Z.) Ltd. in Princes street yesterday was the signal for a big rush of shoppers to the remodelled building formerly known as the Roxy Theatre, and the many members of the newly recruited staff were kept very busy throughout the day. Fifteen years ago this building was the site of the Exchange Court Arcade, where several well-known business firms were housed, and later on Everybody’s Picture Theatre started there, the name subsequently being changed to the Roxy. The site was taken over by Woolworths some four months ago, and building operations were put in hand at once, with the result that yesterday saw the opening of what is claimed to be the finest and most up-to-date shop of a steadily increasing chain. 

In August a contract was let to the firm of George Simpson and Sons, who found that the task with which they were confronted was no easy one. The time factor was of utmost importance, and the gutting of the old theatre, with its heavy galleries and falling floors, presented a number of obstacles, which, however, were overcome without waste of time. The ground floor, carried through at the Princes street level, gives a spacious basement with an entrance from Rattray street. Here can still be seen the remains of the oldfashioned brick arches, the foundations of the court. This basement has been racked to take the heavy stocks which are carried, and a broad stair gives access to the shop floor. This floor has a clear length of 160 ft. To give this clear space and to carry the heavy loading above, required the putting in of some fifteen rolled steel joists — no small job when working in a confined space. These are not apparent from the shop. 

The main features here, apart from the fittings, are a solid jarrah floor to withstand the heavy traffic, and the simple plaster ceiling with its ventilating grilles. No useless ornament is evident, and the whole effect is one of simplicity of line. A new departure is the replacing of daylight and lighting with artificial light. This gives a most effective setting to the wellstocked fixtures. Special mention may be made of the counters and fittings, in which no expense has been spared. The timber is of maple throughout, hand polished and moulded to meet the requirements of the different fittings. This work, along with the shop front, was carried out by local labour under supervision of the firm’s own specialists. The shop front strikes a new note in the general design of business frontages in the street. 

Upstairs there is accommodation for further supplies of stock, and here, too, are the offices of the branch. The staff is provided for with a wellappointed rest and dining room and kitchen. The architect was Mr R. G. Talboys, of Wanganui, an old Dunedin boy. The contract gave employment to some sixty-odd men during the past four months, and now Woolworths hope to give further employment to about seventy men and girls.  -Evening Star, 14/11/1931.