A SAD FATALITY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 11 September 1907, Page 2

A SAD FATALITY.

AU-TDKVTAL HEATH 01'' Mil A. A. ! PlliE'XT. ! A painful sensation was caused yes- !■ terday morning w i la u it became known ' that Mr A. A. Pikett had been seriousiy ' hurt by being caught in the machinery ' at ma stone-crushing site near Eilzroy. ' As it became known that liis condition was critical, and then the sad auaiounceuieat was made in the afternoon that his injuries had resulted fatally, tuerc was ijuite a gloom in commercial ; and municipal circles, for few \mcn had | in few years earned such wholesome respect and trust. j Details of the accident show tiiui. a- ; about nine o'clock yesterday morning Mr Pikett went down to the crusher . site, quite close to his house, to consult with Mr H. J. Wilkio, his partner, who , has charge of the stone-crushing plant. ' When he arrived hb found endeavors were being made to remedy a defect caused by tho slipping of a chain which drove the screencr. He immediately volunteered his help, and.knelt down to fix the chajn. Whilst in this position and trying to lift the chain he must Lave slipped. His partner had turned his attention elsewhere for a moment. When : he looked again Mi- Pikett was being ' buffeted by the fly-wheel, weighing fully half a ton, and one of the men named Crowley had rushed forward to pull him from his awful position. The unfortunate man must have slipped forward. Tho fly-wheel struck and dazed him, and he fell across the chain, still within reach of some projections on the wheel, which struck h*in three more enrfcl blows on the head and face before he could be removed. It was all the wort of a moment. The parts which struck Mr Pikett were the projecting bolts which hatl been used in repairing and bracing tho fly-wheel. Another employee, Hodgson, culled out, and Mr Wilkie had the machinery slopped at once. Mr Pikett was bleeding profusely. He was conveyed to his residence without loss of time, and Dr Walker was telephoned for. He was very quickly on tho scene, and temporarily dressed the wounds, and ordered Mr Pikctt'a removal to the hospital. His injuries were such that it is almost a wonder that death was not inst uitaneous. TTierc wen; two compound fractures of the skull, (he upper jaw was fractured, and the lower jaw was driven inwards, and the lower lip and chin were smashed and torn, whilst the nose was terribly nr.if tilatod. Death supervened during the afternoon. The deceased Mr Pikett was born in IS7O at the Thames, where his father was a builder and contractor, and with whom he learned his trade. He came to New Plymouth some twelve or thirteen years ago, and conymenced business. Aliout tivo years ago he was joined by his surviving partner, Mr IT. J. Wilkie, of Rowan. By faithful work he earned the name of an honest man and an honest contractor, and he lias had numerous opportunities of showing his skill as a tradesman and director of works. Amongst three of his most important contracts were the construction of the new bridge over the Henui on the Devon road, the erection of the Moturoa. Freezing Works, and the New Plymouth Post Office. The deceased

gentleman was married in New Plymouth to Miss Hooker, daughter of Mr Chas. Hooker, of New Plymouth, and formerly of North Shore, Auckland. His wife, survives him, and he leaves a family jof five children, the youngest of whom is but five weeks' old. Tlie greatest sympathy is felt for the bereaved family by a host of friends and acquaintances, Mr Pikett has for years been a pro-.' mincnt worker in Methodist circles, particularly in connection with the Wniteley Memorial Church. He was a popular and hard-working superintendent of the .Sunday School, and a loeai preacher, in the temperance cause he was a. foremost fighter, and was particularly active in Band of Hope work. He was also a member of the Masonic fraterniy. Quite recently the deceased, gentleman stepped into the arena of municipal life, and was elected to represent the Central ward on the Borough Council. The opening of his civic oreor was watched with interest. His commonsense treatment of local mat> ters, business-like methods, and power for detail, combined with a hopeful outlook, gave promise of a useful municipal eareor. New Plymouth could ill afford to lose Mr A. A. Pikett, and we tender our sympathy to friends and relatives.