A WATERSIDER'S DEATH.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 October 1917, Page 2

A WATERSIDER'S DEATH.

THE INQUEST OPENED/ An inquest was opened yesterday morning before Mr. A. Crooke, district i coroner, concerning the death of Richard Crocker, of Fitzroy, who was injured while working in the hold of the s.s. >gatoro, on September 20, and. died at his home on Wednesday night, October Plain-clothes Constable Fitzgibbon represented the police. Mr. A. H. Johnstone appeared for the widow, and Mr. J. Nicholson appeared for the Blackball Coal Company. Phoebe Crocker, widow of deceased, deposed that he was 50 years of age, and since 1913 had been a waterside worker. She visited him in the hospital after the accident, and he told her that he had been working in the hold of the. s.s. Ngatoro, and had been Btruck by a coal basket, which first struck a beam. He said the accident was no fault of his, but was their fault. Her husband was discharged from hospital on .Wednesday morning last, but was, to return bn Saturday to have the stitches taken out, He arrived home about 11 o'clock, had , a good dinner, and seemed bright and cheerful. After dinner, witness accompanied him to town in a tram, and they returned home between 3 and 4 o'clock. Deceased retired to bed about 9 o'clock. During the afternoon witness heard that her husband had complained about a pain in his right arm. and shortly after going to bed he said it was very severe, and that he could hardly bear it. Witness rubbed the arm, and he ..also complained about a pain in his head and face, remarking that he thought the latter was toothache. He was subject to heartburn, and that night he complained of it. After witness had rubbed the arm deceased seenied a little easier, and she returned to bed, Taut shortly before 11 o'clock was aroused by a noise like a sharp-drawn breath, and on getting up could get no reply from her husband. She at once called some other people who were living in the house, and sent -for Dr Blackloy, who arrived almost immediately. Her husband had died a few minutes before the doctor came. To Constable Fitzgibbon: Her husband was quite clear on the point that he had been struck by a coal "basket, •but did not know what caused it to fall. 'She inquest was then adjourned sine die.