INQUEST.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 14, Issue 1154, 20 May 1870, Page 3

INQUEST.

■An inquest was held at Mr. Cashmore's sawmilC Big Bush, on Tuesday, the 17th 'inst., before T. Hitchingß, Esq., Coroner, and a jury, touching the death of James Donnelly. The following evidence was ad- , duced :•— .Luke Maddigan, deposed: I am a laborer at the sawmill, and was mate of the deceased, James Donnelly. About 10 - turn, yesterday I was cross-cutting a log %ith deceased. There was a tree being felled four or five yards off. The tree in falling struck against another tree, and the limbs broke off in all directions, one of them falling on . deceased. In about two or three minutes I saw deceased in a stooping posture, covered by a branch ; he was bleeding from the forehead and ear, and did not speak or move. Thomas Wheat was with, me, and we soon discovered that deceased was quite dead. On felling a tree there is usually an alarm given. In this case, on hearing a crash, I sung out " Stand from under ; it is cracking." My mate heard it, and did his best to keep safe. The main trunk of the tree fell clear from us, and had it not been for the other tree against which it fell, all would have been well. If I had myself been injured I should not have attributed blame to any one. The deceased was killed entirely by accident, and no blame could attach, to any one. Thomas Wheat deposed : lam a laborer, working at Mr. Cashmore's sawmill. Yesterday morning, about 10 o'clock, I was felling a tree, when, rather before I expected it, the tree gave a crack and fell. lam experienced in felling trees ; it fell the way I intended. I had hardly time to make my own escape, being covered with boughs. In about two minutes I saw Donnelly ; he was in a stooping position, covered with limbs of the tree. I raised him up, and he appeared quite dead ; he was Weeding from the ear and mouth.- I never use ropes as guys ; there were none used on this occasion. I have felled trees for several years, and never had an accident before. The tree in falling, when about half down, struck against another large tree and broke in the centre ; the top fell back on the stump, covering myself, deceased, and his mate, as they were cross-cutting at the back of the -stump. . .; : . ;'■■;. The jury returned a verdict ; of " Accidental' Death."