INQUEST

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 21 February 1928, Page 4

INQUEST

DEATH OF MR W. BENNETT HEARING ADJOURNS An inquest into the death of William Bennett, who died as the result of injuries sustained through an explosion of gelignite, was opened at the Court; house this morning. Mr T. E. Maunsell, Coroner, presided. John William Bredbury, of Nelson, undertaker, gave formal evidence as to identification of the body. , W , il,ii ™ Ohapman said that he went to the Tinline with the deceased in a car with Mr Reg. Gilbert. There were tour men and two boys in the car, and U-ey arrived at Sharland's whare about J.. 50 p.m. Some of the party went for a swim. Witness, accompanied by the deceased, went up the Pelorus riyer by themselves. The deceased threw a cap in a big hole where there were some Jogs with the idea of trying to blow a big eel out. The cap exploded but (.here was nothing there. The witness and the deceased then walked down t« the hut, but the deceased turned aside and went up the Tinline river. The deceased followed him on the opposite bank of the river. The witness saw'a big eel and the deceased proceeded to get ready what witness thought was a detonator cap. Witness did not see the deceased light the charge, hut he saw it alight in the deceased's hand. The charge went off while he was holding it. He staggered about a yard and witness jumped into the river to go acropg to him. Then there was a second explosion. Witness crossed the river and found the deceased fearfully knocked about. The two bovs ,<eame running along, and witness sent them' to get Mr Gilbert. The. deceased was sitting down and was conscious. When Messrs Gilbert and Sharland arrived the three men put the deceased in Gilbert's car and he was taken to Havelock. He was later transferred to the Wairau Hospitals Witness said that he saw some fuse and detonators in the deceased's possession but no other explosive. On the way out the subject of getting eels with explosives was discussed. Witness had no explosives himself. Evidence bearing out the above was given, by Reginald G. C. Gilbert, of Nelson, accountant. He accompanied the party, and in response to Chapman's summons came along and saw the. deceased badly knocked about. The trip was intended to be a shooting and eeling expedition. Plainclothes Constable Hall gave evidence that on the 28th Janhary last deceased purchased two plugs of* gelignite with a police permit issued under the Arms Act. It was understood that he was going to use these for blrtwing holes in the bottom of wells that he sank.

The inquest was then adjourned until 10 a.m. on Thursday morning at Blenheim, where medical evidence will be taken.