LYELL TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 11 June 1930, Page 3

LYELL TRAGEDY

MAN FOUND - DYING

■ , - • A . By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

REEFTON, June 10

A fatality at the Lyqsl has occasioned some speculation as the result of reports. The police received a telegraphic message yesterday afternoon that' a man was lying dead in his hut at the Lyeil. Sergeant. Fryer and Constable Houston, accompanied by Dr Wicken, at once proceeded there by motor. On arrival, they found the body of a man named Donald McPherson lying in his hut.

It is rumoured' that the fatality was the outcome of some blows exchanged among a party, and that the deceased fell and struck his head on a stone. The medical examination, however, did not disclose the cause of death. It was .decided, therefore, to bring, the body to Reefton, where a post mortem could be held.

The locality of the hut 'is Deadman’s 'Greek, some little distance north of the Lyeil. where a party are employed, by the Public. Works Department. The deceased, McPherson, was a labourer, and was about bo years of age. He has a. wife residing at 55, Wordsworth Street, Sydenham. THE INQUEST. .

An inquest was opened at the Court House, Reefton, this morning before Mr W. B. Auld, Coroner. Sergeant Fryer conducted proceedings, and Mr T. Patterson appeared for the relatives of the deceased. Steffan James Conradson, Overseer Public Works Department at Inarigahua, identified the body as that of Donald McPherson, a labourer employed by the Public Works at Lyeil. He occupied a tent at - Deadman’s Creek camp, pear Lyeil, ivith a man Vi allied Flangan. I cannot say whether the deceased was a married man, but he had made a half-pay order to Mrs J. K. McPherson, of Sydenham. 1 received word of the death of McPherson yesterday abbut 2.30 p.m., and ascertained that the police and the doctor had been informed. While employed by the Public Works he had

not lost any tihie through illness.. Ho had teen employed since • the 19th March last, •'*' ,

A post mortem was ordered by the Coroner, arid the inquest' ;was adjourned sine die. .