MINER KILLED

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 January 1945, Page 4

MINER KILLED

MOODY CREEK FATALITY

Struck on the head by a large piece of stone, while at his work in the Moody Creek Co-operative Party’s mine, above Dunollie, shortly before 10 o'clock this morning, James William Patterson, working manager of the mine was killed. Accompanied by a member of the party, R. Wright, of Runanga, Patterson was engaged in timbering at the time of the accident, and as Wright turned away to obtain another prop to hand to Patterson, a piece of bad stone fell- from, the roof and struck the latter. Though he was wearing a helmet, he was rendered unconscious and died a few minutes later. Dr. Ongley, of Runanga, was called to the mine. The victim, who was aged 60 years, was married, and resided in Runanga. He was born at Reefton, being the eldest son of the late Mr and Mrs William Patterson, of Reef ton. He was educated at the Reefton High •School and associated with the Reeiton School of Mines He served during the last war in the Merchant Navy. He came to Runanga about seven years ago, and for the past five years had been manager of the Moody Creek mine. He was a member of the Runanga School Committee, the Debating Club and Bowling Club, and had been a director of the Grey River Argus.” He is survived by his wife, one son, William, one daughter, Irene, five sisters, Mesdames V/. Mitchell (Reefton), H. Woods, A. Bassett (Auckland), D. Lawson (Wellington), and H. Hart (Blenheim), and four brothers, Affieit (Wellington), Ernest (Reefton), Gordon and Leslie (Greymouth).