FATAL ACCIDENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 969, 15 August 1903, Page 3

FATAL ACCIDENT.

THE INQUEST.

[(From Our Own Correspondent^ A sad fatality occurred at Tarawa on Monday afternoon, August 10, wbon Geo. Hutcheson met his death. The deceased was bushfelling for Mr Proudlock with two mates, Ernest Rcdpath and William Robinson, who found him insensible, and

ho never regained consciousness. An inquest was held at Mr Proudlock’s I residence. Tarowa, on the 12th inst., before Mr M. J. Joblin, aoting-Coroner, and a jury, Mr J. Reynolds foreman. ConI stable Torr conducted the proceedings. Ernest. Rodpath, on being Bworn, deposed : I knew the deceased, Georgo Hutcheson. I saw him alive last on Monday, I about 3 p.m. I was working about two I chains away from him. I heard a troe j falling. I saw one treo going forward, and I another goiDg back ; about a minute after my mate called out, “ I think George is hurt.” I could not seo him from whero I was at work. Robinson and I ran across and picked him up ; wo examined him a little to see whero he was hurt. I ran for some waler and bathed his bead ; wo then carried him about half a chain into the clearing, and my mate camo away to get help ; the deceased never moved afterwards. About 5 p.m. we procured help, and carriod him to the camp.

By the Coroner : Two Maoris assisted to carry the deceased to tho camp. By the Foreman : Did not know the nature of injuries when conveying him to tho camp.

By a juryman : There was no tree on deceased. Tho only mark we noticed was a mark behind the ear. I have known deceased for several years ; he was in good health and fairly careful in tbo bush. The axo was 10 feet away. I think a tree struck him sideways and passed down tho hill.

William Robinson deposed : I am a laborer bushfelling at Tarowa. I knew the deceased ; ho was working with me and Redpath. I saw him last alive on Monday, at 3 p.m. I was then working about two and a half chains uway from him. I only saw one tree fall. About a minute afterwards I heard deceased moaning, and called to Redpath to run, as I thought George was hurt. I then ran across and found him lying between two logs, Wo bathed his head and carried him about half a chain. I then ran to Mr Proudlook’s for assistance. Afterwards we carried him to the camp. By a juryman: He did not recover consciousness.

By tho Coroner: Havo known deceased for the past 20 years; he was abont 26 years of age. By Constable Torr: I think deceased met his death by a tree striking him. We have always been on the boat of terms, and in the habit of working together. By tho Coroner : Have never known tho decoased to havo a day's illness. The following verdict was brought in : That George Hutcheson met his death through a tree falling upon him in the Tarewa busb, no blame being attached to anyone.” On Thursday tbo body was interred in tho Morere cemetery. The burial service was read by Mr Proudlock, a uumbor of settlers following the remains. Tho deceased was a native of Victoria, where his relatives reside.