AN INQUEST

Hokitika Guardian, 30 January 1929, Page 3

AN INQUEST

TAW A FLAT SHAFT FATALITY. (By-Telegraph—Press Association). WELLINGTON, Jan. 29. On January 18th., James Patrick Morris, aged 35, a public works employee was killed in Tuwa Flat tunnelling operations through falling from a lift which was taking him up a 90ft. shaft, in order that lie might have a slight cut in bis hand attended to. The evidence went to show thal the lift had no sides to it, and it was suggested that deceased fainted and was crushed through- falling between the cage and the wall, a distance of 91 inches. “Had private contractors been oiinployed on this work, they would have, had to comply with the regulations, and the accident would not have occurred.” said Air P. J. O’Regan, who appeared for the widow of deceased at the inquest to-day. It seems an extraordinary tiling that Parliament should pass an Act, and that a .Stateconcern, namely the Public Works Department, the largest employer ol Labour, should be immune from its provisi ins.” The verdict of the Coroner, Mr E. Page, was that the deceased was accidentally killed through falling from the cage to the pit below. From the evidence, and the examination by the Court, held at the locality, it was shown that the sides of the cage were open, and that a rail some four feet high was put across when any passenger was ascending or descending, so that the only thing that held a passenger in was this rail. “Counsel has quoted from different Acts” continued the Coroner, “and these show the requirements for passenger travelling so that the passenger is protected from the sides of the shaft. It is clear, of course, that, had such a cage as that been used, this accident would not have happened. It seen s to me that, as men are employed tner : and will be moving up and down a gate should bo erected.for the cages, and I. propose to bring before the Public, Works Department the evidence that has been adduced with a view to its considering or adopting that suggestion.”