WHANGAMATA ACCIDENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1606, 20 November 1905, Page 3

WHANGAMATA ACCIDENT.

AN AWFUL EXPERIENCE.

Waihi, Friday. An inquest touohiDg the death of Mr B. MoCorquodale, one of the viotitna of the WhaDgamata aooidenti was held on Thursday aftetnooD. - Minnie MoCorquodale, wife of deceased, deposed that on the 7th inst. Mr W. Niohol (the other victim of the aooident) waa at her house, and had tea with deoeassd. While there Mr Nicbol proposed to throw two tins of benzine, eaoh containing four gallons, from his yacht into the water in the bay. He had previously spoken of doing this on Guy Fawkes’. Day. Bbe advised him not to throw it away. Half an hour before the aooident deoeased and Niohol had two drinks of whiskey. When they left she felt satisfied that they would not set fire to the benzine. About half an hour later bor daughter called her attention to a fire on the wafer. The fire was terrible, and the flames were fully 20 feet high. A quarter of an hour later ber husband came to the door. He was covered with burns. He said, "Am I not a terrible eight ? This is the result of setting fire to the benzine.” Bhe then dressed bis wounds. Deoeased went to the Waihi Hospital next day. Niohol came in later. He was also badly burned. By a Juryman: Debeaeed was capable of transacting any business when he went out with Niohol. , T . , . Owing to the sorioue condition of Niohol the dootors would not advise taking bis evidenco, and it was decided to adjourn the inquest for a week.