Inquest Concerning the Death of Mr S. S. M. Bish

Franklin Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 109, 16 September 1938, Page 4

Inquest Concerning the Death of Mr S. S. M. Bish

CORONER’S VERDICT

“KILLED BY A TRAIN”

NO ONE SAW DEGEASED FALL

A verdict that the late Mr Seymour Stanley Maxton Eish was run over by a train and killed on September 7, there being no evidence to show by what means he came to get under the train, was returned by the District Coroner, Mr C. K. Lawrie, J.P., at the conclusion of the inquest yesterday. Evidence by Sergeant .1. T. Cowan was to the effect that the body was taken info the police garage at 10.30 a.m. on September 7 and after an examination lie found il to lie that of Mr Stanley Bish, a married man residing with his wife and daughter in Queen Street, Pukekohe. Mr Bish was a returned soldier and town clerk at Pukekohe.

Mrs Bish said her husband was 41 years of age, and although be bad not enjoyed good health for the past nine months appeared quite well and bright before be left home on the morning of liis death. He left the bouse at 9.2. r > a.m. saying that he was going for a walk and also to the borough office. He did not say anything about going to Auckland. He had never threatened to lake bis life at any time. Conversation on Platform

John Hall, carrier, Pukekohe, said be met Mr Bish on the platform at the station and was in conversation with him for 10 minutes before the train came in. He was in good spirits and appeared quite normal. When the train pulled up Mr Bish got into a second class carriage well back toward the end of the train, and sat down. During the conversation be mentioned bis health saying it was a rotten thing from which he was suffering. Apart from this he gave witness no indication that he was worried or that he would take his life. Witness said he, knew that Mr Bish had not enjoyed good health for a long time, hut at no time had he heard him express the intention of taking his life. Air Bish told witness that he was going to Auckland but he did not know what time lie would be returning. Witness also bad a word with Air A. V. Fox, who was also going to Auckland.

Albert Victor Fox said that as the 9.40 a.m. Pukekohe-Auckiand train pulled in lie went to get on the rear end of the carriage next the guard’s van, when Air J. Hall informed him that Stan Bish was in the carriage, and be (Ah' Hall) asked him (Mr Fox) to speak to him. Witness said lie went through the carriage and found Air Bish sitting in a single seat about a quarter way down the carriage. Witness took the seat opposite him, facing south, Air Bisli facing north. Witness had spoken only two words to Air Bish by way of introducing conversation when lie (Air Bish) got up and walked out on to the carriage platform closing 11ie door behind him. Witness did not see any more of him as his hack was turned in the opposite direction. The train was then gathering speed and would lie approximately 400 yards from Ihe railway station. The train stopped a few seconds later and witness said he saw the guard and engine officials examining the (rain. At that time it. did not occur to witness that Atr Bish had fallen off, as lie thought lie must have gone into another carriage. The train started and the guard informed witness that a man had been run over by Hie train. It was then that witness became anxious about Atr Bish and when tiie train stopped at Paerata be learned that Atr Bisli was not on .board. Witness then telephoned Ihe Rev. A. E. Prebble at Pukekohe, asking him to get in touch with the Pukekohe police. ATr Bisli appeared to he quite cheerful and gave no indication that lie was likely to Lake his life. Witness did not see him after lie left the carriage | as lie shut the door behind him, or j could lie say how he fell from the train.

Object Under Carriages

Christina Scobie said she resided in a flat in King Street, the hack window of which overlooked the railway line. The 9.40 a.m. train from Pukekohe to Auckland was passing through the cutting below her and while looking llirough the window she noticed stones flying from underneath the carriages near the middle of the train. At the same moment she noticed a dark object underneath the carriages. This object was" carried out of he? sign! and she was unable to see it after the train had passed over it. ft was only alter going downstairs and along to llir railway bank that she found that a man had been killed. She had not noticed a man on the carriage platform, and could not say how he got under the train. .lohn William Rack, employed on Ihc railway duplication works about a duarler of a mile north of the Puke- : kobo station and in the vicinity of where the accident occurred, gave evidence as to (he recovery of the body. ; Hr. Frederick William Lumsden gave evidence as lo the extent of the ; deceased's injuries. Death, he said, ‘ was due to shock immediately follow- ;• ing one or more of the injuries he had 1 described. I John Fraser Clarke, guard on the

“Felt a Bump” train, said that when the train was i about 300 yards north of .the Pukej hohe station he fell a bump, and on ; looking back saw a body on the line, j He applied the Wehtinghouse brake, i stopped the train and beckoned to the j engine driver to come back. He re- ! f l UG sted a member of the maintenance I gang to advise the stationmaster. He ! re-boarded the train which resumed its ; journey, and saw Mr Fox whfmld him I he believed the body was trehtjof Mr Bish, a friend of his. He held the train at Paerala while Mr Fox telephoned Pukekohe. lie had examin'd the doors of the cars and gates and all were closed. Constable A. P. Packer gave evidence as to recovering the body. The coroner then gavq, his verdict as above. Mr Lawrio sympathised with Mrs Bish and her daughter and complimented the police on the expeditious way and clear manner in which they had presented the evidence. He said also that no blame was attachable to railway officials.