THE SHANNON FATALITY

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3934, 23 April 1929, Page 2

THE SHANNON FATALITY

IN-QUEST OPENED AND ' ADJOURNED. An inquest touching tiie deaths of Josc-ph Chapman Retter and Henry Tremewan, the victims of the level-crossing fatality at Shannon on Saturday morning, when a fmotor-lorry in which the deceased were riding, collided with the Auek-land-Wellhigton, express; was opened before Mr. A If. Fraser, coroner, at Shannon on Sunday morning. Mr. Bert Holdsworth, residing at Nathan Terrace, Shannon, stated that he was standing in the window of his house watching the Auckland express pass through Shannon, when he noticed the lorry coming round the corner from the station yards to the Vance street railway crossing. The driver of the express sounded the whistle. The lorry was then about a chain and a half from the crossing. The engine driver gave a longer whistlo than usual, and the estimated speed of the train was between 25 to 30 miles per hour. From where lie Avas standing, the lorry appeared to bo pulling up, but apparently 'carried on its way. The train struck the lorry on the olf-side, just behind the cab, lifting it off the ground, and slinging it completely round, the front wheels coming to rest in the cattle stop on the left hand side of the line. The train pulled up in a length and a half. Witness Avent to the scene of the accident and on arrival looked for Mr. Retter. No • living a pair of boots sticking up in the air, he climbed over the bonnet of the lorry and discovered Mr. Tremewan lying in between the mudguard and the bonnet, Avith his head doubled up under the body, lie lifted him on to the bonnet of the lorry and found he' had serious injuries to the throat. He was unconscious. He then went down the line and found Mr. Retter dead, about a chain away, after which lie notified Constable Blaekie and assisted to remove the body of Mr. Retter.

•Hugh Blaekie, constable in charge of the Shannon Police station, stated that on liis arrival at the Vanice street crossing, he found the lorry on the eastern side of the line, the front Avheels in the tattle stop. The railway officials were conveying the body of Mr. Tremewan on a stretcher towards, the guard’s van of the express. He saw Mr. Reiter’s body on the side of the railway line about a chain from the cattle stop. The lorry and load of furniture were badlv damaged. He then removed the body of Mr. Retter to his residence in Vance street. On the arrival of the 11.15 a.m. train from Levin, he took charge of the body of Mr. H. E. Tremewan and conveyed it to his parents’ residence, where on examination lie found deceased had his neck broken, besides numerous other injuries. Witness knew both the deceased well, and stated that they were both careful drivers, hut he had been unable to ascertain as to who was driving the lorry. Mr McConagle, inspector of railways, then applied for an adjournment until Wednesday, April 24th, when the railway men . concerned would be inattendanee. The application was granted.

When the accident occurred AH'. Letter Avas engaged in carting furniture from the statioii for AHs. Hermanson, who recently arrived from Patea to take up her residence in Shannon. The lorry had a full load at the time, and the furniture was badly damaged.

Tlie late Mr. Retter came to the Manawatu with, his parents in 1886 and lias been resident here off and on ever since. He married in 1901 and since then has been in business in Otaki, Levin, Shannon and Fox- ; ton and; Iwas particularly wc'U known and held in high esteeem right throughout the district. Only a 'short while, ago lie set up in business. in Shannon as a wood and coal merchant but had made arrangements to transfer his business to Mr. Franks of that- town at the end of the present month when he had intended returning to Foxton. His home has been in Foxton for some years now, Mrs. Better residing in Coley Street. Deceased had been at home on the night previous lo the accident returning to Shannon on the Saturday morning. The late Mr. Better was 51 ears of age and was horn at Parawanui in 1878. He leaves a wife and grownup family of four children, two boys and two girls. The sons are Mr. W. Better (Wellington), and Massey, who is at present .at the Otaki Maori College. Mrs. Peacock (Wellington) and Miss Turi Better (Foxton) are daughters of deceased and Mr. Fred. Better (Malangi, Hofmdltou) is his only surviving brother. The sisters are Mesdames 11. Gill and J. Proctor (Levin), and Mrs. J. A. Roach (Shannon).

The funeral of the late Mr. Joseph Better took place at Levin yesterday and was one of the largest that has been held in this district for many years. Prior to the removal of the casket to Levin yesterday morning a service was conducted in the house by Rev. Walton, the pall-bearers being Messrs A. E. Scott, R. Hornblow, R.* Mayer and R. Owen, representing the local Masonic Lodge, of which deceased bad been a member for some years. The funeral left deceased’s mother’s residence, Levin, in the afternoon for St. Mary’s Church, the casket passing through a guard of honour of relatives of deceased, the pall bearers being Messrs R. Hornblow, R. Mayer and R. Owen, of the local Masonic Lodge and Messrs H. Young, H.

Murray and S. Butt, representing the Levin Druids Lodge. The cortege Avas headed by members of the Masonic fraternity who were followed by representatives of the Levin Druids Lodge, with Avhieh society deceased had also been associated. Rev. Walton conducted services at the Church and graveside, after which Masonic and Druids services were held. The casket was covered with many 'beautiful wreaths which paid a silent tribute to the esteem in which deceased was held throughout the district.