DEATH AT MASTERTON SHOW.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 February 1921, Page 4

DEATH AT MASTERTON SHOW.

VERDICT AT INQUEST

MASTERTON, Feb. 15

The opening of the Masterton show to-day was marred by the sad occurrence of Mr J. Kilmister, the caretaker, suddenly dying after having been knocked over bv a bullock at the show grounds. Messrs J. W. Buchanan and W. Page were driving a bullock along a race when the animal ran past the turning it was intended to take. Mr Hugh Perry turned the bullock back, and it rushed down the race, where All Kilmister was. He attempted to get clear, and whether the bullock struck the deceased is not quite clear, but if it did it was only by way of brushing against him. The deceased fell, and the bullock jumped clear over him. Mr Kilmister then scrambled up on to the fence of a cattle pen, where be sat for about a minute. The deceased was just about to fall from the fence, in a state ot collapse, when Mr Page caught and placed him on the ground. It was at once seen’that the unfortunate man was suffering badly from shock, and Dr Prior was telephoned for. The deceased continued to breathe for a considerable time, but expired shortly before the arrival of T)r Prior. After an examination of the deceased, and upon hearing the circumstances connected with the affair, the doctor expressed the opinion that the deceased had died from heart failure, caused by shock. The deceased bad been under medical treatment for chest trouble for the past twchyears. Mr Kilmister was 65 yeais of age, •and leaves a widow and grown-up family. At the inquest a verdict was Returned in accordance with the medical testimony.