LAID TO REST

Hokitika Guardian, 23 January 1935, Page 4

LAID TO REST

AN OKURU HAPPENING. There recently appeared in the columns of the “Guardian” a report of the inquest proceedings at Okuru in the case of an elderly man who had been drowned Tn the Jackson River. At this particular time I was paying a short visit to the far south and consequently I. witnessed the whole proceedings incidental' to- the sad event. 1 was very deeply impressed by the ready co-operation 'and self sacrifice of the men in that far away settlement. Tne deceased man had no .known relatives in the South Island, but tlie residents of Okuru saw to it that everything was done to accord him a respectable burial. The fatality occurred over 20 miles south of Gxuru, and the published report of the inquest gives some idea of A the trying ordeal that, befell the young man who was crossing a Hooded river with the deceased at the time of the accident. His efforts to recover. the body and make it secure, followed by Ins long journey on foot to Okuru in stormy weather, cannot fail to arouse admiration. He reached his home about 2.39 on the next afternoon and gave the news. Immediately the settlers combined in the making of plans for bringing in the body. A message was telephoned to the nearest police' constable, over ICO miles away, and details were finalised for a party of men to leave at five o’clock next morning with an extra pack horse to bring in the body. They were given a detailed description of the spat where the ,corpse was secured and the journey down and back occupied fifteen hours. By mid-day they had reached the body and had placed it ou the pack horse where it was supported on each side of the packsaddle by sacks filled with ferns. As an example of the difficulties besetting the party it is to -be remembered that the A raw at a. river could be crossed only ‘by ferry, tlui s involving both and the re-ioading of the corpse.

As tiie cortege was wending its way northwards along the sea coast, other men in Okuru were busily engaged on the construction of a coffin. It is sufficent to say that such was no easy task under all prevailing conditions in an isolated district, but before nightfall .« neatly finished black casket was ready, lettered’ to receive the body. . Antongst the-limited number of men available, it, was also necessary to make arrangements for the digging of ’a grave in the Okuru cemetery. • . ■

During that same afternoon a polioe vjoasb ible was travoJUng south, by aeroplane to arrange for the inquest. By the late evening all parties had reached their central ’destination and the Okuru Hall became the scene of an inquest.

Horses were tied to the fences outside, aod a moderately sized &sseinb.sa.gi or 'jJtvjgud • gliueroJ. wit.nu. An oil lamp on tile table supplied the light and a jury of four was soon empannelled—most ot tne jurymen oeing liieinuers of the party who Had brought in the body. The'local Justice of the Peace presided, and the constable placed before the jury ail the available swor n evidence. The requirements of British law for such a case as this weie fully carried out. AY hen. there is "no coioner available to conduct an inquest it becomes a matter for fit jury to ascertain the cause of death. At the conclusion of the evidence in this case the jury returned its verdict and the members were paid for their services, the amount fixed by the law. The assemblage then dis-, persed into the darkness, each to mount his horse and proceed ihomeAVarcls. The casket remained overnight in the district library, where suitable Howers had been placed by the ladies. Next morning at a, fixed hour the funeral moved to the local cemetery. There was no undertaker, no sexton, no hearse and no minister of religion, - but nevertheless the usual procedure was properly carried out. A local resident read the burial service—the casket was interred and thus in far away Okuru—by the kindness of generous hearted residents—the deceased man was accorded a Christian burial with all those marks of respect given to those who die at home.

The whole event provided only anther example of the cheerful willingness which our southern residents display in giving their best services in timts of trouble or sadness. There was no one present at the time with* authority to thank the settlers, but this brief account may serve to record the appreciation and a visiting admirer.