FATAL ACCIDENT AT KAITAIA

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9034, 21 April 1888, Page 5

FATAL ACCIDENT AT KAITAIA

About half-past two o'clock on Wednesday, April 11, as Mr. Hay ward Matthews was feeding with hay a two-horse-power threshing machine, the platform on which he was standing suddenly gave way, and he fell forward, his left hand passing between the beaters, which, revolving at a great speed, at once drew in his arm up to the shoulder. The horses were stopped immediately, but the bones of the arm were completely crushed. Messengers were at once sent otY for assistance—one to Mangonui for Dr. Trimnell, others for the unfortunate man's brothers, and Messrs. T. W. P. Smith and J. A. Subritzsky. The doctor arrived at 3 a.m. on Thursday, but owing to Veak eyesight, he was unable to amputate the arm till S a.m., when it was taken off at the shoulder. In the meantime, everything possible was done to alleviate the sufferer's excruciating pain. He, however, gradually sank, and expired at halfpast one on Thursday afternoon. The deceased, who leaves a widow and four children, was well-known and much liked throughout the district. His life was, fortunately, insured for £'250 in the Australian Mutual Provident Society, and for £100 in the Government office, bonus bringing up the amount to £400. By his death a vacancy occurs in the Mangonui County Council, to which he was elected a short time since. At the inquest, held on Friday afternoon, at four o'clock, before Mr. R. M. Houston, J. P. (who acted as coroner in the absence of Mr. H. VV. Bishop, 8.M.), and a jury of six, the Rev. G. Aitken being foreman, a verdict of " accidental death >s was returned. The funeral took pl?ce on Saturday morning, at ten o'clock, and was numerously attended, many settlers having come long distances in order to be present. —[Own Correspondent. ]