CAPTAIN SPARGO'S DEATH.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 253, 23 October 1907, Page 7

CAPTAIN SPARGO'S DEATH.

CORONER'S INQUEST.

The adjourned inquiry into the death of Captain William Spargo was continued before the Coroner (Mr. T. Gresham) yesterday afternoon, ilr. F. E. Shera represented the Crovernment Insurance Department; Mr. J. R. Reed, the friends of the deceased; and Sergeant Hendry, the police.

The deceased, on May 25th, met with an accident by falling down the hold of the 5.3. Energy. He was removed to the hospital, and, afterwards, to the Mental Hospital, where he died on October 8. An inquest was opened on 9th October, medical evidence showing that the deceased had sustained injuries to the left clavicle and skull, the brain beneath the latter fracture being softened. The inquiry was adjourned until the 29th October, but, owing to the presence of the engineer in port, his evidence was taken yesterday.

John Douglas Kerr, engineer on the s.s. Wairoa, stated that on 25th May he *was on the Energy at Hobson-street Wharf, alongside th"c s.s. Daphne. Captain Fletcher was cleaning up the decks. The boom at the fore-mast of the Energy was swinging over on to the Daphne. Captain Fletcher tried to reach the boom, to bring it into a midship position, and Captain Spargo voluntarily stretched out his arms, with the intention of pushing it clear of the Daphne. Simultaneous" ly, Captain Fletcher caught an attached lashing, and drew- the boom inwards, and Captain Spargo lost his footing, and fell into the empty hold of the Energy, some 14ft. below. When witness looked over, Captain Spargo was lying on his back.' Up to the time of the occurrence. Captain Ppargo seemed to be active and energetic. Blame could not in any way be imputed to anyone present.

To Sergeant Hendry: The rail of the Daphne had been removed to allow the coal to be transhipped from one vessel to the other.

The jury intimated that the evidence as to the accident being satisfactory, they did not consider it necessary to call Captain Fletcher. The inquiry was then adjourned until the 29th inst.