FATAL ACCIDENT AT ITALIAN GULLY.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 22 May 1901, Page 2

FATAL ACCIDENT AT ITALIAN GULLY.

[our own ccerespondhnt.]

I At Mr McKechnie's Hotel, Dunganyille, on tho afternoon of Monday, 20th inst, an inquest was held on the body of John Roberts who was fotlnd dead in his hut at Italian Gully on the morning of the 13th inst, before M. Phillips, J. P. (acting-coroner)." Thomas Gardener—l am a minor residing in Italian Gully. Have known the deceased for 14 years in this district. I went to his hut between 1 and 2 o'clock on the 17th inst. and found him suffering from acute pains in the back, caused he said by the limb of a tree falling upon him. I wound a calico bandage around him and he laid down. I called again a little before 4 o'clock, and found him in much the same state. Ho did not think there was any serious danger. This was the last time I saw him alive.

John Cahill, —statfd. I am a miner residing in Italian Gully and have known deceased for fourteen years. Hearing that he was injured by 'the falling limb of a tree, I went to his hut about a quarter to four o'clock on the afternoon of the 17th instant and found him suffering with pains ' in the back. I suggested his removal to the Hospital, but ho said he would wait till Monday to see how he felt. I did not anticipate any serious trouble as he was subject to violent pains in the back. I did not see him alive after this, I came to the hut the following morning, the 18th inst about nine o'clock and called out to him. Receiving no reply I pushed the door but something inside prevented me from opening it. On looking in I saw deceased lying across the hut with his feet against the door. I thought by his appearance he was dead, and went for Gardner, a distance of one hundred and twenty-four yards, and together we examined.him. His feet were very cold but the upper portion of his body was quite warm. Got a lookingglass and held it over his mouth but found no sign of breath. Could uot judge how long he had been dead. By a Juror—l visitod the scene of the accident and saw the first piece of timber that struck him, it measured nine inches at the smaller end and was thirteen feet long.

A verdict of accidental death was returned by misadventure and nothing otherwise.

Deceased was a very old resident being thirty two years in the locality. He was a native of Caernarvonshire, Wales and was 68 years of age. He has a brother living at Springfield Canterbury,