THE WAIHI FATALITY.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXII, Issue 2792, 19 May 1911, Page 2

THE WAIHI FATALITY.

INQUEST ON SAMSON.

MINERS' UNION OUT OF

COURT

[By Electric Telegraph.]

Waihi May 18,

An inquest touching the death oi James Samson, killed in the Waihi mine on Wednesday, was held last evening betore the Coroner (Mr W. M. Wallnutt). Mr Jackson represented the Waihi Company, and Mr Mueller the relatives of deceased. Mr Paul (Mining Inspector), and Mr Barry and Mr Gilmour (representing the Waihi Company) were also present.

The evidence showed that a large rock came away quite unexpectedly from the roof of the stope whilst deceased and his mates were shovelling quartz into the pass, and struck deceased, death being instantaneous. Witnesses considered the stope safe.

The Coroner refused permission to Mr Parry (president of the Miners' Union) to examine witnesses on the grounds that now the Miners' Union registration has been cancelled under the Conciliation and Arbitration Act, he (Mr Parry) had no locus standi in Court as formerly under subsection 2, section 7, of the Coroners Amendment Act.

Mr Parry said that action would be taken in the matter, with a view to having the workers represented.'

A verdict ot accidental death, no blame attachable to anyone, was returned. ' The cancellation of the Waihi Miners' Union registration was gazetted on the nth inst.