DEATH ON A COAL HULK

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 15, 19 January 1914, Page 8

DEATH ON A COAL HULK

'An inquest was held by Mr. J. S. Evans, S.M., to-day, concerning the death of Trofford Paterson, who was seized with a fit while working coal in the hulk Occident on Tuesday aftertnoon. He died in the Hospital the fe'ame evening. Mr. Goulter appeared "for the relatives of the deceased. Evidence was given by Dr. T. C. iFraseiv, senior house-surgeon at the flos* ipital, that a post-mortem examination disclosed a ruptured artery on the outside of the brain. There were no oxter--mil marks or bruises on the body to account for the rupture. Unusual exerVtioji or strain in a stooping position at .■work to wliich he was not accustomed .would account for the rupture. Deceased's ago was 32 years, and it was <;not probable in a man of his age that "the rupture would occur without some strain. Andrew Whelan, a waterside worker, employed on the hulk with deceased, said that he had found deceased lying on the coal, with his head and shoulders resting in the coal basket, which 'lie had apparently turned on its side, .preparatory to Hllingit. Witness thought 'deceased might have been hit by a 'ibasket. Edward Osborne, another worker, j said that they were working somewhat faster than usual. The man at the "bull rope," .who witness thought was a member of the old union, set the (.pace for the gang. After he learnt of 'itho deceased's condition he heard one *of_ the men remark : "Perhaps the swill go back to his farm and work there." • Frederick Sukroo said that he was .jworking as "bull rope" man over the ■hold in which the deceased was shovelling coal. Witness- did not hear the .remark recalled by the previous witness. fit returning a verdict that the cause ■of death was cerebral htemorrhage, due ,to natural causes, the Coroner said that the evidence did not disclose that there ■Jiad been any unduo running o» any suspicion of foul play.

Trouble has been experienced in SydSiey in connection with the loading of <the steamer 'Willochra foy Wellington. The vessel was to have brought 698 tons of general cargo to Wellington, but as the wharf labourers refused, according to private advice received to-<lay, to ■work overtime, much of it was shortshipped. The Willochra. is due here edriy on yfedossdag, mornipg., ~ ' ,