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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 8, Issue 424, 27 September 1866, Page 3

Fatab Accident at Taubanga. —The correspondent of the Daily Southern Cross says that on “ Friday, the 6th inst,, a man named Henry Mathews, a private of No. 5 Company of the Ist Waikato Regiment, was killed by the explosion of a shell at the site of the Grate pa. It seems that a bugler of deceased’s company had a fowlingpiece, and he and Mathews were anxious to get powder to shoot ducks with. Mathews determined to open one of the 1001 b shells which were lying about, although he was warned of the danger of so doing. Indeed, Mathews seems to have thought there was danger, for he told the bugler to get out of the way, which he did. Deceased took a hammer, and was driving out the fuse, when the shell exploded, tearing the flesh completely off one of his legs and shattering the bone. His head and face were also much injured. The accident occurred just after dinner, and the men were nearly all lying down in the tents, or probably other lives would have been lost. Captain Hunter and Dr Manley, surgeon, 12th Regiment, came in a short time from Tau auga, and everything possible wasdone for deceased, who lingered till half-past eight o’clock in the evening. Deceased was formerly a servant with Captain Du Moulin. The authorities are very much to blame for not collecting these shells, which are to be seen in all directions for a considerable distance. Upwards of two years have passed since the engagement at the Gate pa, and still these shells are permitted to remain.”