BUSHMAN'S DEATH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 91, 17 April 1940, Page 8

BUSHMAN'S DEATH.

LOG-HAULING ACCIDENT.

WIRE ROPE BREAKS.

A verdict that death was due to injuries received through a wire strop breaking, but that he was not justified in finding that anyone was to blame, was returned by the coroner, Mr. F. K. Hunt, to-day at an inquest into the death of John Baker, a single man, employed by Messrs. Monaghan and Hooper, bush contractors at Whakapara, Great Barrier Island. Sergeant Grainger appeared for the police and Mr. Drummond watched proceedings on behalf of the Kauri Timber Company. The evidence showed that John Baker was at Whakapara on the afternoon of March 29, when one of the hauler block* used in the hauling of a log tripped and the wire strop attached to the log broke and struck him. He suffered injuries to an arm and body. Dr. Garfield fttewart flew down to the Great Barrier Island in a 'plane, and after attending to deceased s injuries ordered his removal to the Auckland Hospital. The injured man died on the way to Auckland. Witnesses gave evidence that the wire roj>e was in good order prior to the accident and contained no faults. It was similar to the rope used for the same elass of work throughout Xew Zealand.