TE AWAMUTU.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2410, 20 December 1887, Page 2

TE AWAMUTU.

Fatal Accident : Tub Inquest.—An inquest was held on Friday, by Mr Gresham, coroner, on the body of William Miller, aged seven years. The jury having viewed the body, the following evidence was taken : Robert Horton, fifteen years, residing at Auckland, but now on a visit to Te Awaimttn, deposed ; That he and others were in the Rev. Mr Mather’s paddock, about half(last six, on Wednesday, 14th inst., where Mr Redfern’.s pony was. They saddled it. Witness had ridden the pony a few times. It was a very quiet pony. Deceased’s brother George rode it up and down the road first. Then William Miller was helped on to the pony by Frederick Wilson. This was opposite Mrs Miller’s, and near the Wesleyan Church. Deceased, who said he could ride, rode the pony about twenty yards off, and then came back, witness and other boys were standing together, deceased said to Frederick Wilson, who had hold of the bridle, “Let go,” deceased then turned the horse sharply, when it bolted off. Deceased fell off on the off side. His right toot was caught in the stirrup leather. Did not see anyone strike the pony. From the position witness was standing in could have seen if anyone had struck it. Deceased had no stick in his hand. Did not see or hear anyone do anything to frighten the horse. It went off all right the first time, the second time it went off at a gallop. It ran into a wire fence near by. Before he got to the fence deceased fell off and was held by one leg. When the horse ran into the wire fence it kicked deceased. The horse then galloped down the road, dragging deceased with him. Did not think it was possible for any of the boys to have stopped the horse. Witness ran after him but was left behind. Fredrick Wilson, 12 years, also on a visit from Auckland, corroborated the last witness. James Walton, sworn, deposed that he was walking along the footpath past the Commercial Hotel, this was after 0 o’clock p. in. When he got to the corner he ■saw a horse coining down Roche-street at a gallop, dragging the deceased on the off aide. The horse appeared to tread on the boy every few steps. Before witness could get nn the road to stop him the horse ran through the wire fence between Rybnrns and McNanght’s shops, tearing tbe fence away. Witness and Earnest Ryburu caught the horse. Witness held the horses head while Ryburn disengaged the deceased’s foot. They had some difficulty in catching the horse, which was very much frightened. Saw the boy was William Miller. When they picked the boy up lie was unconscious. There were two wounds in the forehead. Ernest Ryburn corroborated the last witness’s evidence. Dr. Pairman sworn, deposed, to being called to attend deceased. Witness described the wounds on deceased’s head. In reply to a question by the coroner tbe foreman said the distance deceased was dragged was about 300 yards. This being all the evidence the jury returned a verdict of accidental death. The coroner wished to draw the attention of all boys to the fact that it was far more dangerous to ride with the feet in the leathers than in the stirrups. Boys perhaps do not think of this, and he thought it was a fact that could not be tun generally known. Town Board.— Tbe regular monthly meeting of the Te Awamulu Town Board was held on Monday evening. Tire minutes of the special meeting were read and confirmed. The chairman reported that no tenders bad been received for any of the town endowments leases. It was resolved that they remain «pen for tender at the upset prices. Domain Board. —The Town Board then sat as the Domain Board. One tender only was received for the recreation ground of eighteen acres, Mr William Beasley tendering at £7 10s per annum. This tender was accepted. The other lot not tendered for to remain open. Temperance Lecture.— A lecture will be delivered in the Wesleyan Church this evening by the Rev. J, Smith of Auckland, the subject being “ an evening with Gough the great temperance advocate.” Mr Smith is said to bo a very fluent speaker and one who treats his subjects in a masterly manner. The subject of tbe lecture will be of great interest to those who are interested in the temperance movement. As Mr Smith is coming by train on Tuesday evening the lecture will begin on the arrival of the coach from the station.