Inquest.

Thames Star, Issue XI, 25 November 1880, Page 2

Inquest.

An inquest on the body of John McGregor, whose death, is referred to above, took place to-day at 11 at the All Nations Hotel, before Dr Kilgour, Coroner, and a jury of whom Mr Hassell was chosen foreman.

_ After the jury had been sworn, and had viewed the body, the following evidence was taken :—

Nicholas Taylor deposed—l am underground boss at the Moanatairi. I know the deceased John McGregor, who was employed on my shift. The last time I saw him alire was yesterday afternoon at about 3.30. Deceased said he had just come from the election, and was rather late. This was in the tunnel level chamber. Deceased went down the ladder, and I went to another part of the mine. He had bis billy and crib with him, and two candles, one of which was lighted. He appeared to be quite sober. He had frequently ascended and descended the shaft in that manner. The shaft is timbered, with platforms every 25 feet. The ladder-way is in a good condition. I went down the ladder at about 6 o'clock in the evening. On the way down, about 10 feet from the chamber, I found his crib and billy-can on a platform. On going to the chamber I found the man lying on his back* dead. I ultimately had him removed. His face was covered with blood, but I did not examine him to see if there were any cuts. The platform above the chamber was about five feet square. Deceased was a steady and healthy man as far as I know.

By the Foreman—The distance from the tunnel to where I found the body is 150 feet, and there are sir landings. , By the Jury: The crib and billy did not seem to hare fallen but had been placed where I found them. Had the billy fallen it would hate been broken to pieces. It is my opinion that deceased's candle went out, and he thought he was at the bottom of - the* shaft, and stepped off the platform. I don't think he could have fallen more than 10 feet. The candle I found was lying on a platform 60 feet above where the billy and crib was found. (Mr O'Grady here stated that «o matches were found on the body.) George Cook, sworn, deposed—l am a miner working at the Moanatairi. Deceased was my mate. I remember being called by Mr Taylor and told that McGregor had fallen away. I was working in a drive at the time. I went with Mr Taylor and found the body, and removed it from where it lay to the chamber. I examined the body, and found that the head was much bruised and cut. I think that the back part of the head was all broke in. I saw a quantity of blood lying about. I have been in the habit of going up and down the ladder.. I think it is a safe one. The platforms are all in good condition. When the cage is not working, we are obliged to travel up and down the ladders, and it is always necessary when using the ladder to have a lighted candle, but to anyone who knew the road it would be safe to go down without a light. I did not see any marks of stones on the back of deceased's head, and I think that the cuts were made by him striking against the sides of the -shaft. I was working about $00 of 600 feet from where the body was foand. So far as I know, he was a man of sober habits.

Robert Andrews, sworn, deposed—l am a miner, and bare known the deceased about twelve months. I was talking to him about ten minutes past three, just as he was going, down. He was perfectly sober when I saw him. I did not see him enter the shaft. I consider the shaft safe for a man to go up and down it. I I was not present when deceased was taken but of the shaft.

Edward Law, sworn, deposed—l am a constable residing on the Thames, and took charge of the body of deceased, John McGregor,, yesterday afternoon. When I first saw it, it was being taken from the shaft. It was tied up, and I did not examine it then, but took it to this hotel, and then examined it The back part of the head was out and bruised, and it seemed to me to be broken in. The right arm was broken. I consider the wounds on the head sufficient to cause death.

Robert Comer, sworn, deposed—l am manager of the Moanatairi. I know the deceased. Last evening about half-past six I heard of the accident. The mine is under the supervision of the Inspector of Mines, but it has not been inspected lately. In my opinion the shaft is per* fectly safe in ascending and 1 descending by the ladder. I consider it sale without a light if a man knew the way. Some few years ago 70 or 80 men "went up and down without a light. Deceased has been there for some time. (Witness then showed a sketch of the ladders and the chambers.) The main thoroughfares are all safe, and all the appliances are used which can make it safe. A large number of men who don't believe in going down in the cage go down by the ladders. The Coroner, having summed up, the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death," expressing their opinion that no blame was attachable to. the officials in charge of the Moanatairi mine.