INQUEST.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 5, Issue 1412, 23 June 1883, Page 2

INQUEST.

An inquest was held at Moroa, (Jreytown, yesterday, before Dr H, T. Spratt, District Coroner, on the body of the child Kelly. < 11 The following jury were sworn:— Messrs R. A, Wakelin (foreman), G-.-Jones, H, Waite, W, Hi P. Jones, J, Hollard, D. Cameron, A. F. Muir, W. Wakelin, J. Fuller, A. Hirschberg, T. B, Keinpton, C. Bishop,. J; Hodge, C. Bagge, and 0. Neilson.

' After the jury had viewed the body,

Dr Henry Taylor was sworn, and deposed that lie was a surgeon residing at Grey town. He had been called in to! see the deceasod on Wednesday nignt, at about 12 o'clock. The was then dead. I examined the child, She appeared about five years old. I noticed very severe lacerations of.tho muscles of the lower! part of the body and right leg; there was also, a compound fracture of the right, .leg, which, was greatly torn, the point of the knee being completely bap, The injuries being so extensive accounted for the child's death.. ~ Therefwas no possibility ofrecovery,' she would - have died from prostration alone. It would have been useless to have' tried to do anything for her, as it would only have had the effect of putting the child to ;unneceseary torture, :

George Benton, sworn : Lremember Wednesday afternoon, at about lour o'clock, I was working at Cameron's. I'saw Wakelin and Hawkins' waggon pass.... There were several children on the back of the waggon when it passed the gate, There was a heavy load on the waggon. When' tho waggon was about three chains from, tho gato I heard a scream. I ran through the fence to see what was the manner. I ran to the waggon, which was then stopped. - I found the child in the wheel. Mr Brooks held the " child, and I helped the driver to back the horses, The child was too tightly fixed to be taken out without backing the horses. It was tightly wedged in between the wheel and the bolster of the waggon. Mr Brooks took the child out, and carried it to Cameron's. I have never seen children on the waggon before, though I haVe often seen the waggon pass. The children got on the back part of the waggon, and could not have been seen by the driver, who was in front attending to his horses. The horses were stopped instantly. It could not have been done quicker. " : Wm, Brooks, sworn: I remember Wednesday afternoon. I was:working in Mr Cameron's garden. I was about a chain and a half frem the road when I Baw Wakelin and Hawkins' waggon pass. ,I did not notice any;,children. The driver was sitting in front. I heard a terrible scream, and a child cry out " Stop your waggon, I am killed." WJien I got out I saw a child drawn,up between the wheel and the: wagon with her head hanging down, arid'ono leg through the spokes. The driver instantly stopped his horsesiand commenced to back them. As he backed the wheel I caught the, child in my arms. The horses were in' 'perfect control. I saw the extent of the injuries. 7 The leg and thigh vyero completely smashed, the, bone being exposed by the flesh being torn off.. I

carried her to Mrs Cameron'B, where Mrs; Cameron -;did- i everything' could for the child. A doctor was sent for, and Dr Spvatt arrived. Ido not think any blame can. ,be attached to anyone. I have often seeri children, climb on waggons. If the horses bad not been stopped at the time, .th?'child Vouldihave b'eeii torn to pieces. ' 1 '. ' l)avid Wisharfc sworn: I remember Wednesday evening at .4 o!olook. I was ; driving a-waggon. I did not hear any children get on .thei wagon, the first I knew I heard a scream behind, and I stopped the wagon. The horses stopped up slior 1 ;. I was sitting rin front next .the horses. • I could not see what was going on-behind, The children have.■.sometimesvgot:on^the wagon, and I have repeatedly driven ✓tliem away; ■ I could not tell how the child got entangled in thesvhcely •. v - Without retiring, the juryjreturne(l a verdict'that tlie'death of iinie Kelly was'' accidental, - through ; getting entangled in the wheels of a wagon.