INQUEST AT LYTTELTON.

Press, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5680, 1 December 1883, Page 2

INQUEST AT LYTTELTON.

An inquest was held at the Mitre Hotel,. Lyttelton, yesterday afternoon, by Br. Coward, Coroner, on the body of Benjamin Gregory, who was hilled by a fall of earth at the excavation works, near PeaoockWharf. Mr T. McClatehie, junior, waa chosen foreman of the jury. William WEbon deposed—l was employed at the excavation works carried on by Mr Stinsan. I was at work yesterday helping to __1 the drays. I was working with deceased.on .he face of the workn - with a pickaxe. I saw some earth f-B, ana -y called out to the men who were near. Da* ceased was in a stooping position, and as he waa looking up some earth feU on him and-il.'ed him. William Mnlroy detose-~-I was wos-ftw - at the v. orks wh-re deceased was kUlad. * was using a pickaxe about four ya*_* ft***, d-ceased. I heard deceased scream ©a . when I rah over and assisted towm-*- \ . eomo of the earth from him.

~ .Thomas Newton deposed —- When Mr .. ' 4a __T_i« as ■*■* from tfae work " 1 L _3__we of them. I gave warning to the -"* C_MLtO be very car _ ul. I had left the the face of the works about ten _______ to 8° '"*°" the men who were work- ~ _i___»ove, when _ was to d that deceased ' iur '' Mr Stinsou told the men "*"* rr three rimes tobe very carefuL -. jvAn Stinson. contractor of works, de„Med—l hft the works about half-past JSpae I g* TO in-tructions to Newton to -" {Softer the men and see that the work ' on aU right. Had the men J2j_.__ out my in-tructions the accident ____t not have happened. Brooks, Inspector of the Christ- " .AnK-i Dxa___e Board, being sworn said jjaye known deceased about four or " _re_e--_. he had been in my employ, and fa-ad him to be very careful, and that -may precaution had been taken. After brief deliberation the jury returned -" of " Accidental death."