DEATH OF MR CHAS. BELL.

Shannon News, 30 May 1922, Page 3

DEATH OF MR CHAS. BELL.

WELL-KNOWN SETTLER KILLED.

FATAL FALL FROM HORSE

The residents of Levin and immediate districts received something in the nature of a shock on Saturday evening when the news was simulated of thei sudden death, by accident, oi a well known and. respected settler, in the person of Mr Charles. Bell, of Weraroa. Mr Bell was in Levin during the afternoon, and left for home on horseback at about 5.45. Opposite the school he was noticed by a passerby to pull up his horse and light his pipe, and went on at a canter. Evidently the horse took fright after that, for it passed the railway station at Weraroa at a furious gallop. Just before reaching the Beach Road junction with Oxford Street, Mr Bell must have lost his seat and fell to the roadway, receiving .fatal injuries to his head. A few minutes later two young men, Messrs. Hill and Stratton, cdme up the? road and discovered Mr Bell lying in a pool of blood. He was still alive, and they removed him to the roadside and sent for medical assistance. This was soon forthcoming, and although restorative measures were taken, life was then extinct.

The late Mr Bell was born in Johnsonville 61 years ago, and was still a boy of tender years when his parents removed, about the year 1875, to Otaki, where his father Avas engaged in the carrying and coaching business from Wellington north along this coast. Mr Bell, senr., continued in the business for many years, in fact, until the railway was opened, and the old coaching days came to an end. Young Charlie Bell had hardly passeu' out of his boyhood when he, Avith his brothers, joined in' his father’s business, and Avas driving a team Avhen boys of these days are still at school. He Avas soon as Avell known to oldtime travellers as his father, and by the time the coaches had run their last trip, had gained a reputation throughout the coast districts for his capabilities in the handling of his teams. After that Mr Bell settled in Otaki, where he lived for many years. Later he acquired a farm property on the banks of the WaikaAva stream, and carried on there for several years. About ten years ago he sold out and purchased his present property in the Weraroa settlement, and lived a retired life, except for the oversight 01 his farming interests. Of a kindly genial nature, he had numerous friends, Avho Avill regret his untimely passing. The late Mr Bell tvas tAvice married, and is survived by a son. by the first marriage. His second wile was Miss Maria Rikihana, a member of a well known Otaki family, AVho is left Avith a family of six to mourn their loss. Messrs. W. Bell (Wellington), and G. Bell (Levin) are brothers of deceased, and Mesdames J. Ryder (Levin), Cotter (Wellington) and Smith (Te Kuiti) are sisters. The bereaved will have the sympathy of the Avhole district in their loss.

THE INQUEST. An inquest was held this morning before Mr A. Fraser, Coroner, of Foxton, the inquiry being conducted by Constable Bagrfe. William John Bell, brother of deceased, gave formal evidence. Fitzgerald Bell, son of the deceased, stated that his father was in Levin on Saturday. He rode witness’s horse, and left home between 10.30 and 11 in the morning. The horse was very hard in the mouth, and was inclined to bolt when going home. It had bolted with deceased about two months agof and threw him off at the front gate. William Watkins, butcher, gave evidence that at about 6 o’clock on Saturday evening he heard a horse galloping hard past the shop. He ran out to see who it was, but he was unable to identify the rider, as the horse was going too fast. About 100 yards past the shop the horse appeared to shy and pull up, and then went off again at a gallop. The spot where the horse appeared to pull up was the place where deceased was found. Witness had no idea that an accident had occurred, but he heard of it a few minutes later. Dr. W. J. Macdonald stated that he was called about 7 o’clock on Saturday evening to attend the accident. When he arrived deceased showed no signs of life. There was a slight swelling under the') eyes, blood about the face, and a wound on the head. He was of opinion death ensued from a fracture of the base of the skull. These injuries would be consistent with what one might receive by a fall from a horse.

Hone McMillan, farmer, Koputaroa, g’ave evidence that he had known the deceased for the past 30 years. He met deceased between 5.30 and 6 o’clock on Saturday evening, and was with him when he mounted his horse and walked down Oxford Street with him for some distance. Deceased then pulled up and continued talking with witness for another frv > minutes, before going on home. The horse appeared very quiet, ard deceased had

no difficulty in mounting it. On leaving witness deceased continued to walk his horse. He was a slow rider and was quite sober.

James Webb, hairdresser, stated |hat he saw -deceased .at about ten minutes to six on Saturday evening. tie was then opposite the school in Oxford Street, and was riding a horse. He was endeavouring to stop the horse in order to light his pipe, but the horse appeared to be restless and' would not stand. After lighting his pipe, deceased let the horse go off at a canter.

George Joseph Hill, farm labourer, of Tararua Road, deposed that about 6 p.m. he was riding in to Levin on horseback. Just after passing Beach Road he noticed a man lying on the main road. Witness got off his horse and found the man lying in a pool of blood. The man was still breathing, or trying to breathe, and with assistance witness carried him to the side of the road and sent for a doctor. The doctor and police arrived together, and witness assisted to carry the body to the nearest house. Everything possible was done by witness and others for the deceased. The Coroner returned a verdict that the deceased met his death by a fracture of the base of the skull, caused by an accidental fall from his horse.