EARTHQUAKE FATALITY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 15 April 1913, Page 7

EARTHQUAKE FATALITY.

THE INQUEST. The inquest on the hotly of Uoani Ngawhiro Marakaia,. who was killed instantly by a falling concrete ornament which detached itself from a gable on the Masterton Post Office on Satuulay evening last, was held in the Courthouse yesterday m-orn--ing, before the District Coroner, Mr J. T. M. Horasby. Dr Cowie, medical practitioner, was the first witness called, and deposed tliat shortly after 7 o'clock ho nils summoned to the Post Office. He found the deceased lying; in the entrance to the Post Office. The head of the deceased was terribly mutilated, and blood was oozing from the nose and mouth. Respiration had erased, but the heart continued to beat for two or three minutes after his arrival. Deceased was suffering from a fractured skull. Witness considered that the piece of blood-stained concrete (produced) would cause the injury.

Tawhi Peniamina, an aboriginal Native, residing at Hamua, and working for the father of idecea.sed, stated that on Saturday, April 12, the deceased, in company with witness, motor-cycled from Hamua to Masterton. Deceased was then in his usual health. At about 7 o'clock on the same evening, in company with deceased, witness went to the Post Office in order to ring up the father of the deceased, at Wellington. While in the Post Office he felt the earthquake. The pewpte who were in the Post Office ran outside, deceased being amongst them. Witness remained inside. Witness nekt saw deceased lying on the street in front of the Post Office, bleeding from the head. Two doctors oamo to attend deceased, and life' was. pronounced extinct. The body was now at the Lansdowne Pah, and witness identified the body as that of Hnani Nrawhiro Marakaia.

Leonard Edward John Worthiri'gtou, labourer, stated that he wa-< in the Post Office just before the eai'thouake. on the night of April 12. Wit"es>s had sent a telegram, and wn* standing outside at the time of the earthquake. Re saw th-e deceased get hit by the piece of .concrete. The concrete then frolled along the street. AVitness went immediately to the deceased, and called out for help. Sergeant Miller came at once. Witness helped to carry the. body inside the Post Office, and saw the doctors arrive and the body taken away. When the accident occurred a crowd of people were running away from the Post Office. Nathaniel Miller, Sergeant of Police, stationed at Masterton, stated that about ten minutes past seven on the evening of April 12. he was on duty, and was proceeding along Lincoln Eoad towards the Queen Street corner. Witness heard a rumbling noise, and saw people, immediately afterwards, running across the street towards MeLeod and Young's corner. He saw a piece of concrete rolling along the road. He heard Worthington sing out for help a.nd •saw Worthington was trying to lift him up. The man was Weeding from the head, mouth and nose. Witness assisted in carrying the man inside the Post Office. Drs. Cook and Cowie were summoned by witness, and they arrived in a short time. He was present w!hcn life was pronounced extinct. Witness identified the body shown to the Coroner as that of Hoand Ngawhiro Marakaia. From information witness stated that the piece of concrete 'Has .round, with a diameter of one foot and a weight of 401ibs. It appeared to hare dropped back on to the roof of the Post Office, from where it boain&M* on to another part of the roof directly facing the street, and then on to the' bead of the deceased. The Coroner returned a verdict of accidental death, caused by a falling piece of concrete, which became detached from the Masterton Post Office building, the fall of the piece of concrete being caused by an earthquake, shock which occurred at about 7.10 p.m. on the 12th dnv of April, 1913.