FATAL MINING ACCIDENT.

Dunstan Times, Issue 943, 14 May 1880, Page 3

FATAL MINING ACCIDENT.

The melancholy ami fatal accident that happened at tho Mountain Race Co's claim better known as the Pdue Duck, Tinkers gully, on Friday last, by which one young man, named Henry Smith, was instantaneously -killed, and another, William Tieweek, had his leg broken, while three others who were working close by narrowly es caped injury, has cast quite a gloom over the entire district, and as the sad accident so closely follows after several others that have happened in the same claim quite a scare is experienced amongst the shareholders and others who are working, and the question, if not outwardly, is inwardly asked by one and all whose turn is to come next. On Saturday afternoon an inquest was held before Mr Coroner Kuddell, and from the evidence it was adduced that the claim when supplied with water is usually worked hy day and night shifts, ns many men as could possibly tiud work ,I'ting employed. That on the day of the accident there were live men employed, including the manager, Mr John Spratt, and that they were engaged in widening the tailrace which at tins particular spot was narrow ; that just previous to the accident the others went to other parts of tho race, leaving the

deceased Smith ami Treweek there to break up a big stone, and that while they were so engaged a largo slip took place burying Smith entirely, and Treweek only parti,ally. Assistance from the neighboring claims soon came and extricating 'L'rcwoek it was found hi< leg was broken ; Smith was

soon found and immediately bis head was nncoverel it was seen that life was extinct, the neck being dislocated. No blame was laid to anyone, but it was generally admitted that working these claims with their sides almost perpendicular, and in others partially overhanging was extremely dangerous. After a lengthy and searching enquiry, a verdict of accidental death was returned. W. Trcweek wison S itur day conveyed into the Dunstan District Hospital, and under Dr Leahy’s care is progressing as favorably as possibly can be expected, the log being broken in two places. Henry Smith, who was killed was twentyone years of age, and came from Lancashire, England, and had been only two months in the Colony from home. He was buried in the Dry bread cemetery on Sunday afternoon, a large concourse of miners and others following the body to the grave., the Rev. Mr Lothian conducting the service.