INQUEST.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2163, 23 February 1880, Page 2

INQUEST.

TOWN EDITION.

An inquiry was held to-day before R. Reetham, Esq., Coroner, and a jury into the circumstances attending the death of Cloorge James Munro, who met with an accident while blasting rock at Raincliff on Friday last, and which terminated fatally at noon yesterday. Timothy Sugrue, contractor, residing atCeraldine, knew the deceased who was working for him last month. He was working as qiiarryman at Raincliff. He was working on Feb. 20 in company with several other men at the quarry ; he was making a hole for the blast when witness left between two and three o’clock in the afternoon. He had not gone far when he heard an explosion and returned to the quarry, when he saw deceased standing up amongst some other men. He appeared cut about the face and the blood was flowing. He complained to witness of being hurt. Had him conveyed to Geraldine where he was attended toby Dr Fish, afterwards ho was conveyed to the Timaru Hospital. The deceased was supplied with every requisite to prevent accidents. The spoons used were of iron. Heard deceased say it was his own fault. He knew he was doing wrong by not wetting the fuse before using the jumper. Deceased was the only man that understood the work, witness did not understand blasting himself, and the whole thing was left to deeeased. Deceased was an experienced qnarryman. Martin Fahey, laborer, residing at Itaincliff, had been working for Mr Sugrue. Knew the deceased, who was an experienced quarryman. Was working with him on the 20th. Deceased was engaged on that day in removing the charge from the blast hole, as he was not satisfied with the way it was placed. In attempting to take the charge out it exploded. After the explosion saw deceased lying down, covered with blood. He never said a word as to how the accident occurred. No blame was attributable to anyone. It was one of those accidents that would sometimes occur. The rock was sandstone. The deceased was quite sober at the time the accident occurred.

Ur Hogg stated that on Feb. 21, hit about 11 a.m., deceased was brought to the Hospital, suffering from a shock, accompanied by severe external injuries, extensive laceration of the body, and compound fracture of the right elbow joint, and the same of the right hand, besides other injuries. It was necessary to amputate one arm. The deceased died in 24 hours from admission to the hospital. This was all the evidence.

The jury, after a brief consultation, brought in a verdict of' “ Accidental Death.”