Sudden Death.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 295, 18 June 1895, Page 2

Sudden Death.

« A labouring man named James McDade died somewhat suddenly while being conveyed from Waituna to Feilding, on his way to the Palmerston Hospital, yesterday afternoon. It appears McDade was employed on a sub contract by Frederick England on underscrubbing work in Mr Tucker's bush in the West Waitapu Block, about ten or twelve miles from Wai tuna. McDade, who was a single man, about 55 or 60 yeara of age, was engaged by England a fortnight ago yesterday, and went in that day with other men to start the underscrubbing, He arrived at tho locality in tbe evening, and not having had time to pitch a tent before dark, slept under a rata tiee for the first night. After remaining at tho Cfamp for two or three days he went out to Waituna again to get some more men, but did not re'un until Saturday, when he walked back to his camp. During this timo he stayed at Doyle's boarding house as he was unwell and unable to return. When asked by his mates why he walked back alone he replied that he was afraid England would have tt ought he was causing unnecessary delay and he was anxious to get to work. Instead of getting better, he continued to get worse and on Sunday night his mates saw that he was seriously ill and not merely suffering from a cold as sup. posed. At daylight yesterday morn, ing McDade's mates commenced to make preparations for his removal and carried bim out of the bush on a stretcher to tbe road, when he was taken in a trap to Waituna. On arrival there Mr Ranson kindly placed his trap and horse at the disposal of England, who assisted to take McDade out of the bush, and drove them to Feilding witb the intention of catching the 4 o'clock train to Palmerston. When they got as far as Cinder Hill one of Ransom and' Son's store carts was met, and Mr J. W. Ransom stopped to change horses, as it was 2.20 p.m. when they left Waituna and they had to drive fast to catch the train. It was then it was noticed McDade had expired. Deceased, who was suffering from a cold when he first went to the camp, had not eaten anything since Thurs* day last, but was vory thirsty during his illness, and continuously drinking. At times he suffered severely, while at otber times tbe pains left him. He was an old soldier and had been through the early Maori wars. His habits are described by those who knew him as haviug been very steady and industrious. As far as wecan learn he had. no relatives in the diatriot.