OTAKI GORGE FATALITY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXX, Issue 62, 10 September 1910, Page 2

OTAKI GORGE FATALITY.

[BT TELEGBAPH — SPECIAL TO THB POST.] OTAKI, This Day. An inquest was held at Hautere on the body of the late Mr. Arthur Collier, who was killed on Tuesday evening. Evidence was given to the effect that deceased did not return from his work on Tuesday evening last, and on search being made the body was found in a river at the foot of a cliff, lying face downwards, in 2ft of water. Deceased must have fallen 150 ft. It was thought by witnesses that deceased was pulling a tree root out, when he slipped over the cliff. A verdict was returned that deceased overbalanced and fell down the cliff, breaking his neck in the descent. The jury added as a rider that the road should be fenced in at its must dangerous parts, and that ho man should be allowed to work alone there.

That the accommodation at the Mas-ter-ton Courthouse is not adapted for the Supreme Court was amply demonstrated on Monday, states the Age. Tho only indictable case for hearing hud been called on, and the prison *v did not appear. There was a wait, after which his Honour enquired : "Can't they find him, or what ? rt The constable in court replied that the sergeant had gone for the prisoner. Still there was no appearance. Then his Honour said, sternly : "Put forward the prisoner !" The prisoner was still absent. "Where do they keep the prisoners ?" asked his Honour of the sheriff. "In the loc-k-up, some distance away," replied the sheriff. "If this was in my district I should have something more to say about it," said his Honour, as the prisoner was led into tbo dock. It is interesting (says the Otaki Mail) to compare the rainfall at Otaki Gorge with that of Otaki township last month. At the Gorge no less than 8.67 in was recorded, as against 3.68 in at Otaki. Rain fell on no less than 24 days at the Gorge.