FATAL ACCIDENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 99, 27 April 1903, Page 5

FATAL ACCIDENT.

MR W. T. TRAVEES KILLED

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Sunday.

Mr W. T. L. Travers,. a Avell-known barrister, in alighting . from a moving train at Lower Hiitt station to-night, fell between the platform and cars. One leg Avas broken, and he was cut about the head. The leg has been amputated beloAV the knee. At a late liour to-night the patient was in a rather critical state.

WELLINGTON, tins day,

Mr 'Travel's went to the railway station to see a friend off, and remained in the carriage until the train began to move. In alighting on the station platform, he knocked against a guard who was keeping bystanders from the train, and fell between the platform and the train. V '

The train . v/as immediately stopped, and the sufferer, who was perfectly conscious and self-possessed, removed on a stretch?! - to his home.

Medical assistance Avas summoned, and it was found necessary to amputate the right leg.

Mr Travers, however, died at sir: o'clock this morning. He was 84 years of ago. . ,

Later intelligence shows that Mr Travers was very badly injured. His noso was broken, and his leg horribly crushed, and other parts injured. An amputation of Ivie leg was held to be necessary, and the operation took place between 12 and 1, but the patient died a few hours later.

The deceased, who was S4 years of age, and who still practised at the Bar, and was in vigorous health, was the oldest and one of the best-known lawyers in the colony. He was a member of the executive of the first Parliament of the colony, and later a member of the House of Representatives. He came to the "colony in .1849, first settling at Nelson, then in Canterbury, and finally at Wellington, all of which places he represented in Parliament. He was one of the founders, and a prominent member of the New, Zealand Institute. There was a large gathering of the legal fraternity in Court this morning, when Mr Bell, President of the New Zealand Law Society, Mr Skerrett, president of the Wellington branch, and the Chief Justice, paid a high tribute to the personal character, high attainments and public services of iheir late colleague, i

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, this day!

On Saturday last Mr Tra.vers, -speaking on behalf of the New Zealand Bar, as probably the oldest member thereof, supported the protest made by the judges of the Appeal Court agonist the rejections made by -the -Privy Council on the probity and independence of the colonial Court. He spoke with characteristic earnestness, as he rertiarked that he had not air opportunity 6f conferring with his fellow members at the profession, but believed they nil concurred with him in his impressions. The incident was enhanced by £11 of a large number of solicitors in fcmirt rising and remaining standing till Mr Travcrs had concluded his remarks. . The . Chief Justice, in thanking Mr Travers and members of the Bar. added: "Of course, members of the Bar present are aware of the time you have been at the.Bar. You are, I suppose, the oldest barrister in the colony. t It is about fifty years since you were a member of the first Executive Ministry in New Zealand, and I don't know any member of the Bar that has had your long experience and your high reputation at the Ear since you entered It."/