DEATH OF CHARLES KLEES.

Kumara Times, Issue 2487, 9 June 1884, Page 2

DEATH OF CHARLES KLEES.

CORONER'S INQUEST. An inquiry concerning the death of Charles Klees, who was killed whilst working in his claim near the mouth of the Teremakau River on Friday last, was held by Dr. Mouckton, a Coroner of the colony, at Noonan's Hotel, Teremakau, on Saturday afternoon last. The following jurymen were sworn : John Henry Suow, Harry Pow, James Hellier, John Lord, George Gilbert, John Lightfoot, Amos Wilby, Mans Peterson, James Noonan, Charles Montague, George Henry Cheverton, and Frederick Dale (foreman). After the jury had viewed the body, evidonce was taken, and the official report is as follows :

Sophia Burgess, alias Sarah Burgess, sworn, said : I have seen the body of deceased: it is that of Charles Klees. I have been living with him for eighteen years. We resided near the beach, on the Terpmakau. He was a miner, and at the time of his death was engaged in bringing in a race close to our house. The cutting he was in was 13 feet deep. I last saw him alive at five minutes before 12 noon, on the 6ih June. He was then leveling the bottom to put a box in. About ten minutes afterwards I went to call him to dinner, and found the ground had given way and buried him. I heard no sound. I ran to Hans Petersen, who was a short distance off", and called him to assist to extricate him. Klees was dead when he was dug out; he was 63 or 64 years of age; he was a Prussian. 1

have a letter in that language, containing his brother's name and address, in Germany. He had no relatives in the colony to my knowledge. I have lived as his wife for eighteen years. Ido not know of any will, though I thiuk he made one, in my favour. Daniel Ogier, sworn said: I am a miner, and reside at the Teremakau. On the 6th June, I was called at about 12 o'clock noon to assist in digging the deceased out of a tail-race. I found him in a standing position, buried in sandy soil. He was quite dead. I believe the accident occurred through the sides being cut too steep. The jury returned a verdict that " Charles Klees was suffocated through a fall of sand in his race, and that his death occurred accidentally."