The Late Mr. Oliver WakefieUU CORONER'S INQUEST.

Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 70, 22 March 1884, Page 2

The Late Mr. Oliver WakefieUU CORONER'S INQUEST.

[Bt Tklioraph.J [ttnitkd fbkBB association' ] DDMKDIN, THIB DAT. , Tho inquost on the late Mr. Oliver Wakofield was opened this morning. Mr. Stout watched tho prodoodings on behalf of tho Tramway Company. Mr. Edward Wakofiold stated that ho had a lottor from the deceased, written just as ho was leaving Wellington, in which he stated that he was in a loir state of health, and been ordered a complete ohango for whioh he wa« going Jto Melbourne, thonoe to Adelaide. He had been in a weak, ncrTons state for some time, and while in that condition was very deaf, and quite likely to lose his nerve. He was 40 years old. Dr. Maunsoll, who assisted at the operation, said both deoeased'a thighs wen terribly crushed, almost as High as tho hip joint. Ho' was then perfectly oongoons. Witness asked him how tho ao'oident oooorrod, and he replied he was run over by the steam tram". Witness asicea why he did not got out of the way, and he replied that it was impossible, us then was a oab in front of him. Ho did not blame anybody. Ho had also a wound on his head. He seemed to hear vary acutely. Witness remarked that, on hearing that he was rather doaf. Alfred Charles Kimboll, woololauar. * passenger by the steam tram, stated that ha was standing on the near platform of the oar when tho aooident happened. He Helped to romovo deceased from under the engrae, and went with him in an express to th 6 hospital. On the way down deceased bocame oonsoious for a tew seoonds, and said his name was Wakefleld, and that he was a passenger by the Waihora from Wellington. The engine was going at a slow rate, and tho speed had boon gradually slackened before the accident happened. Lewis Martin, another passenger, notiood the engine slowing, and neard the driver whistling to the express in front of the tram. A man fell down n. few feet in front of the engine, whioh passed over him. From the Criterion Hotel the engine went very slowly. Deceased fell without the engine touching him. He must either havo lost his presence of mind or taken a fit. Several witnesses gave evidenoe that th« engine was going at very slow speed when the aooidont ooourred. The jury found that tho death was accidental, resulting from deceased's nervous temperament causing him to fall in front of the engine. They added a rider approving the action of the City Counoil with respeot to the removal of steam motors. The eooretary of tho Tramway Company mentioned that all steam motors aro to be removed within ton daja and horaes substituted.