Clash Of Evidence At Inquiry Into Quarryman’s Death

Northern Advocate, 24 May 1939, Page 4

Clash Of Evidence At Inquiry Into Quarryman ’s Death

A VERDICT THAT WILLIAM KAIRE DIED IN THE WHANG ARE! HOSPITAL ON MAY 16 THROUGH LOSS OF BLOOD AND SHOCK, AS THE RESULT OF INJURIES RECEIVED IN AN EXPLOSION WHILE WORKING AT GOING BROTHERS’ LIME QUARRY AT RUATANGATA ON MAY 15, WAS RETURNED BY MR G. H. MORRISH AT THE INQUEST, CONCLUDED TO DAY IN WHANGAREL

In giving his verdict, the coroner said that he did not propose to review the evidence, which was lengthy and involved, but to him the position seemed clear. The first witness was William Henry Andersen, the manager of the quarry, who said that deceased was a capable certified quarryman and well versed in the handling of explosives. Ho stated that he had hoard the shots being fired, and later one single shot.

He was then informed of the accicl

ont, and wont down from his office to the quarry, where he saw Kaire. He returned to inform the police and call the ambulance. Son’s Alleged Statement. ITo saw Henry Kaire, son of the deceased, in his office, and Henry said that his father had done it on purpose, continuing by saying that his father had put out a lot of cheques and he was frightened that the police would get him. Later in the morning, the bank rang up in connection with a cheque that nad been issued by Kaire for which there were no funds to meet. In reply to a question, witness said that he knew of previous occasions on which Kaire had isstted cheques which had been dishonoured, and he thought that there was still at least one cheque still unpaid.

tractor of the company, and the company did not interfere with his working of the quarry. An employee of deceased, J. Pivac. said in evidence that Kaire said that he was going to fire four shots early in the morning, and stated that he might have trouble with damp fuses. Witness heard three shots and then went to see if Kaire was all right on account of the other shot not going off, Kaire said that he was all right and was going to prepare five more shots. Accident Discovered. About one-quarter of an hour later witness heard another shot, and then heard deceased crying out. He went to investigate, and found Kaire with an injured right foot. The boot was nearly off the foot. Kaire said that a cap had gone off. He then fainted. Firstaid was rendered by witness. In reply to questions, witness said that deceased was behind a forked tree and every now and then he would lock up, but if to watch the men working or to watch a truck of stone going up the line, witness did not know. Alleged Statement Denied.

Preparation of Shots.

Further questioned. Mr Anderson said that he understood Kaire was preparing five shots, but after the accident there were still the five prepared shots left. It was not usual to prepare more shots than would be immediately used. On account of the quantity of spalls ready, there was no need for blasting that day, but there was nothing to prevent deceased from carrying on with the blasting. Kaire was a con-

A denial that he made any remarks to Mr Anderson, a previous witness, in connection with his father doing it purposely or about cheques, was made by Henry Kaire, a son of deceased, in evidence.

Witness said that he did not know how his father’s bank account stood. Later, Mr Anderson had told witness that the bank had rung up about a £ 10

cheque. The Government Inspector of Quarries and Mines, stationed at Huntly. Roger Thomas Hilton Bale, said in evidence that he had been informed of the accident and the death of Kaire by the manager! of the works, Mr Anderson. He had come to Whangarei and examined the quarry. Everything appeared to be in order and the quarry safely worked. Banger of Explosion. He had examined the charges prepared by deceased, and the fuses were of the required length for safety. Witness had noticed that in one instance the detonator had been crimped too closely to the detonator charge for safety. If crimped close to the charge, there was the danger of the charge exploding when this was being done. He had, at the request of the coroner, carried out experiments, and Mr Anderson had stated that the explosion of a small charge of gelignite, one of the charges prepared by Kaire, had more the sound of the shot that Mr Anderson had heard than had a de-

tonator exploding. At the opening of the inquest medical evidence as to the cause of death had been given by Er. J. W. Hall, medical superintendent of the Whangarei Hos-. pital, and it was in accordance with this evidence that the coroner gave his verdict.

Chinese Invaders Downed. Seven aeroplanes, which crossed the border to Manchukuo from Outer Mongolia, were shot down after an aerial combat, says a message from Tokio.