A REEFTON FATALITY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 77, 3 April 1899, Page 2

A REEFTON FATALITY.

A STRONG VERDICT

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

REEFTON, Saturday,

In connection with the inquiry into the accident in the Globe mine on Feßruary 14, resulting in the death of John Mason, in which the jury were unable to agree, the case came before Judge Edwards to-day, the jury being present. The judge, addressing the jury, said he thought it was the first case in New Zealand where a jury disagreed as to the cause of death. So far as he could see there was no reason why they could not agree. Referring to the evidence, His Honor thought there was no doubt it was conclusively shown that the method of lowering the cage out of the gear while miners were below was dangerous, and should be discontinued. The jury returned the following verdict:— 'Death was the result of the reckless manner in which the cage was lowered by the engineer not applying the brake in time,' and added a rider to the effect: 1. The superintendent exceeded his duty «when he instructed the engineer to lower the cage while the men were below. 2. That the general tone of the evidence clearly disclosed that the general management of the mine was irregular and unsatisfactory- 3. That the inspectors of mines neglected their duty in not seeing that return signals were fixed in. the shaft. 4. That the evidence of J. H. Pearce was unsatisfactory. 5. That as bracemen and chambermeu have great responsibility none but competent men should be employed in these positions.