ELTHAM.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 November 1917, Page 8

ELTHAM.

INQUEST. Eltham, Nov. 27. t'rom Our Own Correspondent. 'I he adjourned inquest 011 tlie death of Mark Newman, aged 58 years, a laborer employed by the Public Works Department, was continued at the Courthouse this morning before the deputycoroner, Mr. E. Parrott, and the following jury: T. W. Reilly (foreman), ■I- Whittington, G. S. Papps, J. Ilalpin, T. Cresswell, and X. D. Council. Constable Townseiid watched the proceedings on behalf of the police. J. A. Martin, sheep farmer, Whcnualuira road, deposed that deceased had been employed for' several days clearing debris from the road, s a\v him alive on Monday, 10th inst., about 5 o'clock. At that period Xewman waß engaged removing debris from a- stump. The stump was being cleared away and Xewman had to get underneath. There appeared to bi> no other way of gc.lting at it. Next morning he passed the locality, but deceased was not there then. Returned the same evening between 6 and 7 o'clock, and fouiul deceased lying under the slump. The stump was lying across his shoulders and his head was right under it. Evidently in using the jack Xewman did not anticipate it coming round. It was an extra big log, and deceased had evidently been endeavoring to work it .over into the river below. Witness (believed Xewman was under the stump using the jack when the stump slewed and fell on him. Deceased was lying on his face, the stump pressing him on the back of the shoulders and head. The - whole weight of the stump was lying on deceased, who was quite dead. The jack had-to be used to liberate the body, in which Mr. Kelly assisted witness Had no doubt deceased lind killed instantaneously bv the weight of •Jie stump. The body was quite cold when discovered. Mi*. Waters, of the Public Works Department. gave formal evidence of the nature of the work performed by Xewman,

Constable Townsend described the nature of the injuries, which he considered had caused instantaneous death. Searched deceased's belongings and found his name was Mark Newman, and his birthplace Malmesbury, Gloucester, England. After a brief consultation the jurr returned a verdict that deceased was killed through being crushed by a stump, there firfng no blame attachable to anyone. KEEPING 'MEMBERS FINANCIAL.

Mr. O. S. Paaps,- secretary of the local Oddfellows' Lodge. has received a letter from the Soldiers' Financial Assistance Jvard, regarding payments of contribution of members on active service. Although the provision of financial assistance is fftflde to the soldier by right, and is a str.tigiit'-out gift, each case is considered oil its merits.' Second Division Reservists sW.ld particularly note that, the Board will not entertain an application until the reservist, has be"n passed by the Medical Board as A, B. or CI. ,Tlie board recognises that lodges have suffered as a, result of many of its single members having enlisted without making provision for payment of their fees, but in this connection single men with no dependents, a small obligation such aO lodge fees should be met from the deferred pay, or allotment, without any undue hardship whatever, and in such cases the board is not prepared to authorise a grant. Th? board, however, was prepared to recognise lodge fees, and to 'authorise payment of same where the circumstances of the dependents warrant.such a grant. There are secretaries throughout New Zealand who will be pleased to hear of the decision, as the inroads made on the finances of the societies through casualties have been most severe. The assistance has come none too soon, and probably when the board receives a few thousand claims to keep members ''good on the 'books" the Government and l others will realise what benefit societies have had to accomplish during the past, lew years.