SHOCKING FATALITY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1127, 15 May 1911, Page 2

SHOCKING FATALITY.

ON' THE LINE, NEAR HUTT,

A sad fatality occurred about a mile north of Lowur Uutt railway station, in the vicinity of Selling's Dridgo, on Saturday morning, the victim being Mr. George Dennis Cronin, master coachbuilder, and a member of the firm of Crouin and O'Leary, l'clone. The lirst indication of the tragedy was given to tho guard on (lie (i.IIO train from Upper Mult to Wellington (and by which Mr. Cronin was killed), and came from a boy named William Rowlands, who boarded it at Melting, and who had taken up a position at the rear of tlio train and was watching the receding rails. Jle noticed articles of clothing, and finally saw tho body of deceased across the track. Before he could communicato with tho guard, tho train was pulling into Lower Mutt. The matter was nfc once reported, and, on an inspection of the engine, evidences of the tragedy were discovered.

Tho engine-driver (Petherick H. Jane) stated that ho thought'that something had been run over, but did not know what it was.

A party was quickly dispntehed to investigate, with the result that tho body was found at tho spot indicated to the guard.

Deceased was a widower, about 54- years of age. Mo had been a, resident of Petoiie for somo time, aud, for (he past fivo years, hod stayed at the Empire Hotel. Ho had lately complained of neuralgia aud insomnia. Hβ was prominent in local musical circles, and was choirmaster at the Church of the Sacred Heart. Before going to Potone, he had been employed for somo years in Messrs. Rouse and Hurrell's ■Wellington establishment. Ho haa relatives in Christchiirch and Wangnnui.

THE INQUEST. An inquest was opened at Lower Hutt at 11 o'clock by tho Coroner, Dr. M'Arthur. Harry J. Palmer, hotoikeeper, Petone, said he know the deceased well. He had been staying at witness's hotel for some four or five years. Ho left last Wednesday morning to catch tho train for Dannevirke, proposing to return on Thursday night or Friday morning, but witness had not seen him olive since Wednesday. During tho last two weeks deceased h»d complained of pains in the head, which wero attributed to neuralgia. Witness had noticed that deceased was very peculiar in his manner during tho past two weeks. Generally ho was very regular in his habits, aud he was not addicted to drink.

Daniel C. O'Leary, coachbuilder, Petone, said that ho recognised the body as that of his partner, Cronin. Ho last saw Cronin alive on Wednesday morning, when about to catch a train for Dannevirke, in order to visit his agent there. Witness was not sure that deceased went to Dannevirke; as he had received no word to that effect. Deceased had stated that he would !>o back on Friday evening or Saturday morning at latest. Deceased had absolutely no business worries that witness was aware of, but he had complained of pains in the head. He was naturally a cheerful man.

Norman J. Bennington also gave evidence of identification.

At this stage ihc inquest was adjourned until 12 o'clock to-day.