INQUEST.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2156, 16 February 1880, Page 2

INQUEST.

An inquiry was opened at the Club Hotel on Saturday evening last, before 11. Beetham, Esq., coroner, and a jury, of whom Hr I). West was chosen f (>reman, touching the death of John Byrne, who met Ids dcatli on Saturday afternoon whilst engaged on the excavation adjoining the Union Bank. The jury having viewed the body, the inquiry was formally adjourned until U o’clock this morning, when the evidence taken was as follows :

William McGill, contractor at Timaru, deposed that he had charge of the cutting for the new buildings of the National .Mortgage Agency Company. The deceased was employed at the cutting. About d o’clock on the afternoon of the 14th he was at the work, cutting under the fall. About half an hour before the fall took place witness cautioned deceased about cutting so far in. Ho persisted in doing so. Witness saw the earth fall, and that the deceased was under it. The deceased did not observe the usual precautions in making the fall. He was immediately taken out, and was found to be quite dead. The fall was cut in further than was in witness’s opinion quite necessary, but one is obliged to allow some latitude to men working as deceased was, in danger. Did not notice that deceased had been drinking more than usual. He appeared to be sober. The fall came down without the wedges being put in. Witness should have gone on the top, had he been asked, by the deceased. ’ Terence McMahon, laborer, deposed that he was employed at the cutting, and was assisting the deceased to undermine the fall. Deceased cut a trench at the top of the fall, which was unusual, and in witness’s opinion, unsafe. Heard McGill tell deceased ho was going in too far with the undermining. He persevered however, and the earth fell, completely burying him. When taken out he was quite dead.

This was all (lie evidence. After more than half-an-hour’s deliberation, the jury brought in a verdict of “ Accidental Death,” adding the following rider : “ From the frequency of such accidents happening in connection with works of this kind, the jury are of opinion that contractors should be compelled to place a watchman on the top of the works, whilst the work of undermining is going on, so that sulticicnt warning may be given to the men below.”