Violent Death of an Old Thames Miner.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2994, 19 September 1878, Page 3

Violent Death of an Old Thames Miner.

' We learn from the Grey River Argus of the 7th instant that a sudden and violent death has overtaken a miner formerly well known here, named Alexander Mackenzie. From the particulars adduced at the inquest held on the 6th "September, at Warren's Store, Ten-mile, •> North Beach, before W. H. Revell. Esq., District Coroner, it would appear that the unfortunate man was engaged felling a tree. on. which another tree, or a lodger, as it is termed, was resting. Mackenzie called out to some men who were.in the neighborhood to look out, and the tree he was working at fell where he desired it, but the " lodger" slipped off it, and fell on the unfortunate man, killing him oh ■ the spot. The jury returned a verdict of *' Accidental death." The Argus further : adds that Mackenzie was about 36 years • of .age, a native of Nova Scotia, and,was formerly manager of a; mine at the Thames. From a number of the Argus published two' days later we learn that the~s<jceased was recognised as a Thames man by the discovery amongst his effects of a ■certificate of membership of the Sir Walter Scott Lodge., The Argus of the 9th instant says :—" The remains of -..Alexander Mackenzie, who -was billed on ■the North Beach on Thursday last, were interred yesterday. On Saturday the "police discovered amongst the effects of deceased; a certificate of his membership ' of-the Sir Walter Scott Lodge of Freev masons, Thames, and on this being communicated to the officers of the St. Andrew Lodge, Greymouth, it was resolved ■! to 7 pay the last mark/ of respect to a deceased brother. The body was brought 'W'the 1 Masonic Hall oh Saturday night, and was followed to the grave yesterday by such members of the order, in regalia, as could be brought together in the short notice! The ceremony at the grave was most impressively read by Bro Watkins, chaplain, and the R. W.M. Funs ton." We believe the deceased, was working m . Tookey's mine for some time, and was well known to many still resident here, ' who, together with the brethen of Sir Walter Scott Lodge, will feel grateful to the members of .the craft who assembled to pay their respects to the deceased. The brother referred to as being resident in Dunedih wa§, we believe, one of the con- ; tractors for the Deborah Bay.Tunnel, on ' the' Port Chalmers and Blueskin railway. * The deceased was a worthy man, and his untimely end will be regretted by a large circle of friends.