DEATH IN BUSH

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 691, 17 November 1933, Page 6

DEATH IN BUSH

mamaku fatatily BUSHMAN ACCIDENTALLY KILLED AT HIS WORK STRUiCK BY LIMB OF TREE Apparently struck by a limb of a tree, which was fou-nd lying beside his hody, a hushman, William George John Jones, aged 45 years, was discovered dead in the Mamaku hush ■early yesterday moming by three fellow employees of Gaanman and Company, who conducted a search on being informed that deceaoed had not returned to his whare the previous evening. Deeeased, who was believed to he a widower with two daughters residing at Pukekohe, was employed in felling and splitting firewood on contract for Gamman and Co. and at the time of his death was working alone 12 miles in the bush from Mamaku. His whare was situated abouifc one mile from. this spot and it was not until early yesterday morning that another hushman, Mr. S. G. R. King, diseovered, on visiting dec eiase d's whare that Jones had apparently n'ot slept in it the previous night. Accom,panied by Messrs J. F. Lopes and J. Martin, Mr. King immediately pro-. eeeded to the scene where deeeased had heen last working and there found his dead body with ia heavy limh of a tree lying nearby. The Rotorua police were immediately advised of the tragic happening and Qonstable Brown, accompanied by the coroner, Mr. W. L. Richards, proceeded to the scene, where an investigation was made and an inquest held. Seen Going to Work Evidence of having last seen deeeased alive on Wednesday morning, when he walked part of the way to work with him, was given by Stewart Geiorge Richard King, who is employed on a similar contract with Gamiman and Co. nearhy. Deeeased was then in the best of spirits and health and was looking forward to visitine* his dauvhters at Christmas.

On rteurning from -work in the evening King said that he noticed deeeased was not in his shack, hut was nof concerned as Jones frequently went into Mamaku. However, when deeeased was also not there next 1 morning, King said that he realised somd^hing ifntoward had happened and after advising Messrs Lopes and Martin, the party went back into the bush' where they found Jones' dead hody. Jones was an honest workman ,and ia skilled hushfeller and in King's opinion he had heen killed by a limh of a tree whieh had heen dislodged hy another tree which deeeased had felled. Corrohorative evidence was given by John Fernandez Lopes and evidence of identification by Ridley Whltefield, who said thiat he had known deeeased for 35 years. Aecidental Death The Coronex-, Mr. W. L. Richards, J.P., returned a verdict of accidenfal death.