A TERRIBLE MISTAKE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1388, 24 February 1905, Page 2

A TERRIBLE MISTAKE.

SUFFOCATED THROUGH A MISUNDERSTANDING.

(Per Press Association.) Dunedin, last night. An inquest was held at Ksitangata touching Che death of R. S. Jordan, manager for the Now Zealand Collieries, who died from suffocation in the Castlehill ooal mine. The evidence showed that deoeased and Oareon, under manager, tried to get to the seat of a fire. They discussed with the deputy the matter of taking down screens In the furnace level, bo as to direct air into tho level. The deputy did not kuow that Oarson and deceased were going in, and he followed instructions, with the result that the smoko was directed on to Carson and Jordan. The deputy said that ho could only conclude that Jordan and Oarson had orgotten the instructions given. Carson went further than Jordan. When his lamp went out he had nn eleotrio torch, and in rstnrniog fleshed it, but saw nothing of Jordan. He became unconscious, and was dragged out by two of the men. On regaining oonsriousmas bo returns! for Jordan, and found him dead.

Dr Fitzgerald snid ho found the body from head to foot burnt; also tbe back of tho head. There was no evidence of fire on the clothes, the body being burnt by heat.

The jury returned a verdict that deceased met his death by suffocation and misadventure, corns about by a misunderstanding between deceased and Green (deputy) as to the preoise time when th© air current should bo diverted. No blame was attachable to anyone.