CORONER’S INQUEST.

Dunstan Times, Issue 595, 12 September 1873, Page 2

CORONER’S INQUEST.

An inquest was held, before William L. Simpson, Esq., Coroner, on Saturday, the 6th inst.. at the Geelong Hotel, Alexandra, to investigate into the causes of the death of Edward Thompson, killed on the previous day at Messrs. Theyera and Bock’s brewery, Alexandra. Mr. Charles Morris was appointed foreman of the jury. The jury having been sworn in, and hav-

ing viewed the body, the following witnesses were examined : James Hessen, sworn, said .- lam a miner, but occasionally, during the last twelve years have worked as a mason. Have lately been employed doing mason’s work at the brewery of Messrs. Theyers and Beck. Was so engaged yesterday, tie sth instant. James Simmonds was working with me. Edward Thompson was serving us with stone and mortar and taking away the gravel we were excavating. I recognise the body now before the jury as that of Edward Thompson. I last saw him alive yesterday afternoon, about 4 o’clock. Simmonds and myself were undermining and then building under the gable wall of the brewery, ft had to be undermined for a depth of four feet. At the time of the accident deceased was on a platform eight or nine feet above the excavation Simmonds and I were working in. The only thing I know of the accident was suddenly being covered with a cloud of dust, and being forced by some power against the further side of the excavation we were making. Remember nothing further of what happened. Simnu nds was discovered close alongside of me, and it is said 1 was removing the stones and debris fiom about his face. Think the gable must nave fallen down and carried the deceased with it, burying him in the ruins. The six or seven feet Simmonds and 1 were taking from under the gable must have caused it to have fallen, but 1 believe the real foundation must have been giving way for a long time. Do uot think Theyers and Beck anticipated any danger. The excavation we were building was for a fermenting tun, aud the wall V e were building was to have been the mainstay or support of the gable. We had been working at the job about two days aud would have finished in two more. Witness here described the building. He said the excavation they were in had been made some long time ago three feet below the original foundation, and a wall built under it, and they were engaged sinking it a further depth of four feet. The walls were built with mud. Had proper mortar been Used the wall would have given warning before it fell. Mr. Theyers had repeatedly told us to be careful aud make good work. 1 lirst apprehended danger on the morning of the sth instant, as I found the wall that had been built under the gable was only a single Jwall, aud 1 thought it might gi\e way. Cross-examined ; Have no recollection of Simmonds reuiarking|at any time iliac thwre was danger. The foundation of the whole gable being cut under, there must have been danger. Have no hesitation in saying that, as the original foundation was built oil saud, the weight of the roof and wall together caused it to fall. Was only bruised, but not seriously. Thomas Russell, sworn :—I was working at the brewery at the time of the accident. At about 4 o’clock p.m. saw the building full down, aud ran immediately to look for the men whom I knew to be working there. Ou the dust clearing aw ay, I saw Hessen standing aud Simmone's sitting against the side of the excavation, partially covered with stones and debris Did not see Edwa d Thompson, the deceased. Assisted to_,clear the stums fionnllessen and Simmonds. 1 said, ‘"Let us get these men out. Thompson is dead.” Having extricated these men, iwe got outedeeeased, who was completely covered with stone and dust, and was quite dead. From the time the building fell to when we got deceased out it was fully an hour. Considered the work they were engaged upon very dangerous, the gravel they were removing from punier the walls being very loose aud drilty. I said as much to Hessen, and he said he did not exactly like it. Thomas M'Eliigott, sworn : I heard the fall of stones, aud ,a.-sisted in extricating Hessen and Simmonds. It was while digging out Simmonds that I came across the hand of deceased. Deceased must have been covered fully air hour before he was got out. Know where Hessen, Simmonds, and deceased were working. Had an opinion that tire work «as shaky, and remarked to several that 1 would not have liked to he engaged ou the work, on account of it being so far below the foundation. It was the undermining that brought the gable down. It was the uewpwork 1 considered shaky. Had no idea the gable would come down. William Theyers said : 1 am a partner in the firm of Theyers and Beck. Recognise the body of deceased. He was attending upon Hessen and Simmonds, who were engaged by the linn as masons. They had a contract to raise the roof of the cellar The work they wete at, at the time of the accident, was by day labor. My instructions to them were-to excavate the fermenting room an extra eighteen inches, aud to build up under the wall; but, during my absence, it was sunk three feet deeper. 1 had an opinion that the work was risky, accordingly cautioned them, telling them to be careful, and to consider the weight of tho gable over-bead. Also told them to build a very wide foundation. Had full confidence in Simmonds. Dr. A. T. Thomson deposed : Am a duly qualified medical practitioner. Saw the body of deceased last evening, about 8 o’clock. After ascertaining he was dead, I made a casual examination. To-day I have made a move minute examination. 1 find the loft side of the head lacerated, but no fracture ; also wound on the outer angle of the eye, and similar one across the no=e, with a fracture of the bone. The nostrils and mouth iwere completely plugged up with blood and saud. Both shoulders, arms, ami hands were bruised, but there were no fractures. The pupils were distended. From appearances I observed did nut consider it necessary to make a section to airive at the cause of death. The appearance of the pupils and the condition of the mouth and tiostiils indicated that death had taken place by suffocation. The Coroner summed up, and said there was no question as to the verdict ; but it was for the jury to determine whether or not they added a rider. After consultation, the jury returned a verdict of “Accidental dea.h.’’