GAS FATALITY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1871, 28 September 1906, Page 2

GAS FATALITY.

PRESS ASSOCIATION Nelson, last night. An inquest was held touching tho death of William Vercoe, a corporation laborer, who died in consequence of injuries sustained by a gas explosion at the Symons momorial on July 28th. The evidence showed that the memorial fountain and lamp was hollow, and provided a holder for the gas which escaped from a defective joint. Foreman Kenning, deceased, and another were working near the memorial when they notioed a smell of gaß, and the first two proceeded to strike a match, but KenniDg only struck a match when an explosion followed. Four witnesses deposed that they had noticed the smell of escaping gas there for some week?, and one aaid he was advised not to report the matter, but declined to say who advised him. In summing up, the coroner Baid there was nothing to show that any responsible officer of the Council had been informed of the leakage, and the evidence showed that the officers had not noticed a leak The jury found that death resulted from the effects of an explosion, that no blame was attachable to any corporation employee?, that everything possible was done in the best interests of deceased and other patients at the hospital; also, that in the opinion of the jury, while it may have been impracticable to periodically inspect gas pipes at the memorial, it

should be recommended that in future when there may be construction leading to gas storage the system of pipes should be such as to admit of periodical inspection, and that all reported leakages be properly inspected and rectified; further, that in the opinion of the jury, if those who had obeerved the escape of gas had reported to responsible officers the fatality might not have ooourred.