PROSPECTOR'S ACCIDENTAL DEATH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13171, 8 May 1906, Page 5

PROSPECTOR'S ACCIDENTAL DEATH.

FALLS DOWN AN OLD SHAFT.

[BY TELICGKAI'IT.— OWX COBRESrOXDKN'T.]

Cokomandel, Monday. John Fitzgerald, 78 years old, one of Commander's oldest prospectors, met with an untimely end on Friday evening by falling down an old air shaft, 80ft deep, on the Hauraki No. 2 Gold Mining Company's property. Mr. Anderson, who lives next to the deceased, missed him, and on Sunday instituted a search, eventually finding the body at the bottom of the shaft. : Mr. Charles Norman volunteered to be lowered down, and a 60ft rope was obtained, but proved 100 short, and lie had to be hauled up to the surface again, when a longer rope was, got, and Mr. Norman placed another rope around the body, which was brought to the surface, when it was found that the deceased had his spine broken. Several ribs and the right leg were also broken. Dr. Smith states that death must have been instantaneous. Deceased leaves a sister in Australia and a, nephew (Mr. Oliver Mason, of Limestone Island).

An' inquest was held at the Golconda, Hotel, before Mr. Swindler, coroner. Mr. Anderson, Dr. Smith, Mr. C. Norman, and Constable Law gave evidence, and the following verdict was brought" in "That the deceased, John Fitzgerald, canto to his death by accidentally falling down an aitshaft on the Hauraki No. 2 Gold Mining Company's property. The jury consider Mi-. Charles Norman's action in descending the old shaft twice to recover the body whs highly commendable."

A good deal of discussion took place as to the action of companies in leaving old shafts unprotected, the coroner stating that the mining law;provided for old shafts being either filled in, covered, or fenced.