SAD ACCIDENT AT GERALDINE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1860, 2 March 1889, Page 2

SAD ACCIDENT AT GERALDINE.

THE INQUEST,

Aq inquest was held yesterdaymorning at the Bush Hotel, Geraldine, before Capt. Wray, coroner, and a jury of six, touching the death of William John Lawson, who was killed the previous day by being dragged by a horse. Mr Amos Sherratt was chosen foreman of the jury. W. R. D. Lawson, father of the deceased, stated that his son was about 15 years of age. On Thursday morning he called the boy as usual about 0 o’clock to go and catch the two horses which ware in a paddock near the house. He heard him go out shortly afterwards, and in about 20 minutes his attention was called by his two daughters screaming, and saying that the horse was daagging the boy in the paddock. Ran out, and saw the horse dragging the boy by a rope fastened round the horse’s neck and the boy’s arm, just above the left elbow. The horse was galloping when witness first saw him, but he succeeded in catching him pretty soon. Deceased was quite dead when witness caught the horse. Did not see the horse kick him. The horse bolted with the boy in a small orchard through which he had to lead him, and then got back into the paddock from which the boy had brought him. Deceased may have been dashed against the trees in the orchard. The horse was quiet and easily caught by those who knew him, especially by the boy, who had been in the habit of catching him every day, and sometimes two or three times a day, for the pasbtwo years. The paddock was about 9 acres in extent, and the orchard about acres.' f i he boy caught the horse in the paddock, and was bringing it through the orchard when it bolted with him. The rope was tied round deceased’s arm by a half hitch. "Witness thought he had tied it there while he put up the rails leading from the paddock to the orchard. Had never known deceased to do that before, He was usually very careful with horses. The rope was about six feet long, and the boy’s arm from the shoulder to where it was tied just brought the boy’s head to the heels of the horse.

Christina Morrison, stepdaughter of the last witness, stated that she saw deceased go out to catch the horses about half-past six. Soon after that she heard the horses galloping about, and sent her sister out to see if the children were safe. Her sister came back immediately, and said the deceased was dragging behind the horse. Witness ran out into the orchard, and saw the horse just going into the paddock, dragging the boy behind him. Went out and called her father, who came and caught the horse. While being dragged, witness noticed that deceased’s face was covered with blood, and his trousers torn off him. She and her sister were the last to see deceased alive, and the first to see him after catching the horses. Dr Robert Fish deposed to being a duly qualified medical practitioner, residing in Geraldine. On Thursday morning, between seven and half-past, was called to attend to deceased. Went as quickly as possible. When he arrived he found the boy lying on the sofa in the house, quite dead. There was evidence of severe injuries about the head and face. There was a severe injury upon the top of the scalp towards the right side, extending down the side of the head, which was quite sufficient to account for death. There were bruises and marks about the legs and knees, as if deceased had been dragged along. There was a deep indentation upon the left arm, just above the elbow, such as would be caused by a rope being pulled tight. There was a very severe wound over the left eye, probably caused by a kick. Did not think the wound upon the scalp was caused by a kick. It might have been caused by knocking against some hard substance, Had no doubt the boy was dead before his father picked him up. The jury having heard the eyidence returned a verdict of “ Accidental death by being dragged by a horse.” j No blame was attached to anyone. 1

PEACE AND WAR. Mr Jones (of the Peace Society) delivered a lecture in Wellington on Thursday night, the sequel of which was rather amusing. He devoted considerable time to answering the New Zealand Times, which had invited him to explain how arbitration could bo rendered compulsory and its awards enforced save by resort to war in the last instance. Mr Jones replied this was not his mission, and that as great as were the difficulties in the way of arbitration, those of' existing military system were ‘far greater. He then went over the usual peace-at-aay-price ground. On concluding, His Excellency the Governor, who presided, and who, when introducing the lecturer, had observed that he should probably have something to say when Mr Jones had finished, literally sprang to his feet and proceeded forthwith, in a most vigorous and eloquent speech, to demolish Mr Jones entirely. Eis Excellency spoke with extraordinary fire and animation, and his remarks were received uproarious cheers. Sir Wm. Jervois said he fully agreed that arbitration was desirable, but that so long as humanity and human passions remained as they were war could not be avoided, He quoted the old Latin proverb, to the effect that “if you wish for peace, prepare for war,” and maintained that even in these remote ; colonies it was absolutely necessary to prepare against the descent of a hostile force. He knew positively that about ten years ago a Power', with whom England was nearly at war, had made complete preparations for a descent on all the unprotected ports of these colonies. He could give them chapter and verse for that if it were necessary. As it was, this colony had provided more defences, \ and was, in his opinion, very nearly prepared to meet such foes as might possibly come in case of war. He said: “By all means settle things by arbitration if you can, but if that fails then you must be prepared in the last resource to say, ‘ I defy you,’ and that means war.”

Mr Jones, in seconding the vote of thanks to the Governor for presiding, differed from some of His Excellency’s views, and thus brought up Sir William again. He said you could not eradicate human passions, and these would inevitably lead to wars until the millenium arrived. He added, “I await the millenium.” There was a crowded audience, who went strongly with the Governor.—Press.