CORONER'S INQUEST.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 30, 9 April 1866, Page 2

CORONER'S INQUEST.

Ou Saturday last, the Coroner, W. W. Squires, Esq., held an inquest at Richardson's, Fleece Hotel, Waimea-road, on the body of Daniel Wright, who died at the hospital that morning, from the effects of injuries received whilst engaged in excavating at the port. The jury, of whom Mr. W. Akersten was foreman, having viewed the body, returned to the hotel. Mr. W. Harley not answering to his name as a jurjTnan, was entered by the coroner as a defaulter, and subject to a penalty for non-attendance. The following witnesses were examined. George Cartwright said, on Friday last the deceased was working at the fall on the beach near Akeroten's wharf. . Witness had jnst turned to empty his barrow, and saw the earth fall and strike him on the upper part of the back. It. was a large quantity of earth and if. struck him on the small of the back, eutirely covering him. Dec-eased Ml on his hands and knees. Witness called for help, and Mr. F. Akersten camp up -with a man. named Charles. Tried to get deceased from under the dirt but could nor till assistance came. A great many men came and deceased was got out alive. Witness had undermined about live feet on Thursday morning, and this was about four, where deceased was working. It was solid ground at first, but it began to got rather soft, and witness cautioned the deceased about it, considering it was dangerous to work there. Deceased said he thought it would stand driving till dinner time. This was about 10 o'clock in the morn ins. The body he had just seen was that of Daniel Wright. Mr. F. Akersteu stated, that on Friday last whilst employed by his brother at the end of the wharf, he heard the last wituess. cry out for help. He immediately ran to his assistance, and heard the deceased moaning

under the earth that had fallen upon him from the hill. Witness called for assistance from the Albion wharf, from which mpn came at ouce with shovels and dug deceased out. He was alive when taken out. Diseased was known by the name of Harry Wright. Was no judge of the safety of the ground where deceased was working. Mr. W. Akersten said, he knew deceased who was working under contract for him with Charles Hesketh. They were removing earth to fill in the wharf opposite. Witness told him the day before not to make too free with the earth, stating that from two feet six to three feet was as far as could he worked with/safety. The anxiety of the deceased to get a larger fali of over four feet, was the cause of the accident. When deceased was extricated, witness took him to the hospital in a trap, calling on the doctor on his way there. He visited him last night and ascertained the name of his relatives. In consequence of what he said, witness searched his pockets, and found the letter now produced, and addressed to his mother Mrs. Sarah Wright, Whitminster near Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, England, which witness promised to forward to his mother before he died. It had not been ascertained if deceased had any property. It was rumored that lie had property iu Duuedin. Mr. F. L. Vickerman, M.R.C.S. London, said, he had examined the body of the deceased. He' saw him just after his arrival at the hospital yesterday. He was in a state of great prostration, and complained of the small his of back. Had him removed to a bed. and sent for Mr. Cusack to assist him in tho examination. Found the left thigh broken, it was a compound fracture. There was a dislocation of the sacrum from the ilium on the left side, and a fracture of the coccyx. The ischium was also broken. There was a large wound near the anus, caused by a projection of the fractured end of the ischium, extending to the bowels. The abdomen was swollen as if from internal hemorrhage. The left leg was paralysed. He died ;bout six o'clock, this morning. Death was caused by internal hemorrhage of the lacerated wound, followed by mortification. Charles Hesketh said, he had been a mate of deceased for a twelvemonth, but knew nothing of his family or circumstances, further thau that he came from near Bristol, and had property in Dunedin, which was under the charge of a person named Joyce, He was with Joyce in the Flying Squirrel. He fancied but was not certain that Joyce was taking care of deceased's house in Duuedin . To Mr. W. Akersten: Himself and the deceased moved the earth as they liked, independent of Mr. Akersten, from whom they had the contract. He cautioned his mate not to drive so far, half-an-hour before the earth fell upon him. Deceased replied he could drive till dinner-time. This was the first fall that was undermined by deceased alone. Witness let him have his own way, and thought the accident to his mate wns caused by his being too venturesome, and driving too far into the side of the hill. The Jury returned a verdict of accidental death.