REEFTON NOTES

Grey River Argus, 29 May 1935, Page 7

REEFTON NOTES

(Onr Own Correspondent.) REEFTON, May 28. An inquest wa a held at the Courthouse, Reef ton. before Mr W. B. Auld, J.P., as Coroner, to enquire into the circumstances of the death at Big River of Michael Burns. Sergeant Hodgins stated that on Sunday afternoon about 4.30 he received information that a man named Michael Burns, a resident of Big River, had been found dead in a creek about eleven o’clock in the morning. He went to Big River and there saw the body of Michael Burns, whom he knew for twelve months. Deceased was a miners’ phthisis pensioner. Tie was not in good health, and was probably subject to bad turns. During January of this year, he saw deceased in Reefton. He was walking along the footpath ahead of witness, and suddenly collapsed, falling on the path. Someone picked him up and took him into the Globe Hotel. Later in. the day witness again saw deceased and he appeared to be alright. When at Big River, witness was shown th’° place: wh«re body Xvas 'found.. Thera was a drop of about’ 20 feet, and the briars where deceased had fallen showed evidence of being crushed by a. fall. On examination, the body showed a deep scalp wound on the left side of the head. The skull was fractured, and the brain protruding. Tn witness’s opinion, death would have been instantaneous. On inquiry, witness learned that deceased had been in Big River township on the Saturday. He had been at the hotel, but left there for his but about 4 p.m. Deceased was sober. From enquiry he learned this, and also that the last person to see the deceased alive was Hnrrv Colvin, who saw deceased making his wav to his hut. The body was found 200 yards from dec-eased’s hut. There were no suspicious circumstances surrcunding h*s death; apparently deceased took a. bad turn and fell over the bank. The inquest, was then adjourned to May 31st.

The following placers have been selected to represent Tnangahua in the Rugby match against a Greymouth team on June 3rd at Grevmouth:— A. O’Malley: F. Millar fvice-cantA J. Smith, F. Malley (rapt.); W. Smith, D. Bateman; R. Bolitho; J. Crossman, L. MrKane, R. Hewison; P. O’Reran, W. Hunt. E. Duggan, C. Cowan: M. Hunt. Reserves; Forwards. L. Broadhurst, G. Archer; backs. C. Hunt J. Dellaea. Any players unavailable please advise the Secretary immediately.