FATAL ACCIDENT IN THE SAXON MINE.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 281, 29 November 1887, Page 2

FATAL ACCIDENT IN THE SAXON MINE.

BURIED BY A FALL OF EARTH

(by telegraph—own correspondent.)

Thames, this day. Shortly before 1 o'clock yesterday afternoon an accident occ tired in the Saxon G.M. Company's mine, by which an employee named Mr Richard Bodcn, a woll-known and highly respected resident of Block 27, lost his life. It would appear that when going through the mine as usual this morning with tho "boss" of the shift (Mr G. Gill), the manager (Mr James) mentioned to Messrs James Smith and Richard Bodcn, who wero working together in the second stopo on the reef over No. 4 level, that the mullock overhead was dangerous owing to the existence of a "soaky head," but Mr Bodcn jocosely remarked that it was all right, and oven if it did come away, he did nob think it could do any harm. Mr James, however, thought the stuff should be taken down, and not liking its unsafe appearance, we believe, he gave instructions that this should be done. These, it would seem, were not followed, owing probably to thomen coming to the conclusion, after " sounding " the ground in the usual manner, that it was safe. Work was continued in the stope— in which it might be explained the distance from the roof to the floor is very slight - and nothing untoward happened until after "crib" time. The whole of the men at this level were sitting together in their accustomed spot, and having finished their meal' at 12.30 o'clock again proceeded to their respective workings. About ten minutes afterwards the accident occurred. Mr Boden had just resumed shovelling mullock from the sbope, his mate(Mr Smith) being close by, whon the small mass of stuff overhanging suddenly came away, striking him upon the spine of the back, and pinning him to the floor of the stope. His mate immediately apprised those working in the vicinity of the accident, and in a very few moments willing hands wero at work removing the mullock from their unfortunate mate. This did nob take long bo accomplish, as the quantity was small, but as soon as the body was uncovered it was at Once seen that life was almost extincb. All possible haste, however, was made to havo the body conveyed to the surface, where Dr. Callan, who had in the meantime been sent for, was in attendance, but his services were not required, and he could only order it to be removed to the Queen's Hotel, which was accordingly done. Mr Boden was a married man, his wife and family of six children residing on Block 27. He was very popular amongst his fellow workmen, being of a genial disposition, while .he was always conscientous in the performance of his duties, and a thoroughly practical miner of considerable experience. Mr Boden was a member of the Loyal Waikato Lodge of Oddfellows, while he was also insured in the New Zealand Accident Insurance Co., which entitles his widow to £50.

At the, inquest on Richard Boden the jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

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