INQUEST AT WESTPORT.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 February 1918, Page 3

INQUEST AT WESTPORT.

A BUSH FATALITY

WESTPORT February 11.

An inquest touching/ the death of Ambrose Tiller was held by Mr G. B Sinclair, Coroner at Mr P. Ahern’s residence, Cape Foulwind on Saturday.

Evidence was given that Thomas Mill jphy and Henry Baker were fellowcontractors with Tiller in the supply of props to the Westport Coal Company Seven men left the Cape in the morning on a trolly. Six went to work dowr a side track. Tiller went on by himself a mile and rt half further. At fivminutes to five o’clock in the evening Tiller had not put in an appearance which was most unusual. The six mer waited for about ten minutes, and a; there was still no sign of Tiller thei decided to go down on the trolly tf where he worked. On arrival there they found his crib untouched, and f search was then made of the bush. Presently, McHerron called out that he liar' found Tiller. The latter was lying in r crouched position, with a big rottei birch tree, across hi s shoulders, and < r piece of timber planted against his net- 1 and, throat. He was dead. The meu chopped the piece of timber away and getting out the body, carried it to Mr. Ahern’s residence at the Cape.

Apparently, Tiller wa s killed in tin; morning. By tlie marks on the trees, it was surmised tkat tlie birch tree was leaning on a fork of the tree he was cutting and that it fell across him.

A verdict of accidental death was returned.