“NOT A MURDER TRIAL"

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 594, 21 February 1929, Page 13

“NOT A MURDER TRIAL"

COUNSEL’S OBJECTION AT INQUEST ACCIDENT ON ULIMAROA ! Details of an accident which ocj curred on the Ulimaroa a month aero j were recalled this afternoon, when an i inquest was held on the death of John i Do writ*. j■ Mr. W. K. McKean, coroner, presided. Air. J. J. Sullivan appeared for the Watersiders' Union and the widow and Mr. Bugnull for the Shipping Company. Alt*. Lowrie, who was known on the I wharves as Vernon, was 46 years of j age and lived with his wife at 46 Grafton Road. On January 24 he was one of a gang working in a hold on the Ulimaroa, where kauri flitches were being loaded. The second last sling gave trouble, and with another was stacked beneath the combings between decks. The men were then ordered out of the hold, but ! one of the slings slipped and fell on Mr. Lowrie. inflicting severe injuries, including a broken leg and arm. The time was then about 5.40 p.m.. and deceased was taken to hospital, where he died at 7 o'clock the following Edward Woodford said that two slings had been landed. leaning against the coaming. Witness was halfway up the ladder when the first sjng slipped, and fell on Lowrie. The men's tea hour was from five - to six o'clock, and consequently there was a hurry to get the last slings in, and two came almost one on top of the other. It was only rarely that one sling was sent down before the preceding one was stowed. Mr. Bagnall objected to Mr. Sullivan’s cross-examination of one witness. “Anyone would think this was a trial for murder," he said, Mr. Sullivan: Well, -if this carelessness were attachable to one person, he would stand a good chance of being in the dock. A waterside worker’s life is as valuable as anyone else’s, and this is the third man killed on the wharves during the last few weeks.” Further evidence was given by Richard Jones, chief officer of the Ulimaroa and the inquest was adjourned until to - day.