ACCIDENTS AT ALBERTLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8582, 2 June 1891, Page 6

ACCIDENTS AT ALBERTLAND.

Our North Albertland correspondent gives the following particulars of. accidents which have occurred in the district:—

There has been an unusual prevalence of accidents lately, one of which has ended fatally to one of the sons of one of our eldest settlers, by name Frank Wharfe, aged 24, on Tuesday, 26th May. An inquest was held on the following day. In the absence of the district coroner, Mr. J. Shepherd, of Port Albert, conducted the proceedings. A jury of six eettlers was got together, of which Mr. E. Browne was chosen foreman. The following facts were elicited from Albert Wharfe :—About three

o'clock on the date mentioned above, the two brothers, Albert and Frank, were crosscutting a log about 3ft. diameter, 30ft. long, on hillside country. No danger had been anticipated, and as 'a safeguard they relied on a ricke'r five from the' butt to stay its downward, but on the log being cut through it shot forward, clearing the rickor, atid then rolling down hill. The deceased, in his haste to got clear, seems to have tripped, when the log rolled on him, the face being downward. About 16 feet from where ic

started its further course was stayed by other trees, tho log resting, on. the centre of Wharfe's back, ana one of the small knots which sometimes grow on tho bark was deeply pressed in. Help was called for from another pair sawine , close handy—both relatives, .one a brother. . A jack ,wa« employed to ease the weight on tho body, which was done in • iive minutes, but it took; about ten to get it entirelyclear. Life was extinct, with the exception of a motion of the head when the accident oc-

purred. There was no further movement. A stretcher was made, and the body carried home. The. evidence, of Daniel. Rico was also taken. Another brother, William H.

Wharfe, was also present to give evidence, bub as it w;as' the same as the previous witness, it was considered unnecessary, and tho jury were quite satisfied and had no difficulty in .returning a verdict that the deceased was " Accidentally killed by the rolling of a log." Great sympathy has been expressed to the relatives of the deceased to have such a promising young man bo suddenly cut off. He _was interred at the Tβ Arai cemetery on Thursday, the 28th May. Over fifty, male and female, followed on horseback, which was further in-

creased when nearing *;he cemetery. Mr. E. Richards, Church of conducted the funeral services, a shore lorvice being held at the house as well as at tin grave. The coffin was profusely decorated with wreaths and crosses of flowers which loving bunds had made. Considering the ttnount of timber work going on, there is mudi to bo grateful for that there has been auclii freedom from accidents. Another was nearly occurring to Mr. E. Browne, on his way to the Kaiwaku. Whilst proceeding on horseback, it seems, on a piece of road lately repaired, the ground being slippery, the horse's feet went from under it, and falling into a drain, in which it fairly got faet, feet uppermost, the animal had to remain in that position till help was obtained. But before this happened Mr. Browne managed to get clear of his horse, eo was unhurt. The remainder of the accidents I refer to

were cuts from axes, etc., but not very serious.