FATAL KICK FROM A HORSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13647, 15 January 1908, Page 8

FATAL KICK FROM A HORSE.

THE CUSTOM-STREET ACCIDENT. lAx inquest was held at the Queen's Head Hotel-, before Mr. T. Gresham, Coroner, yesterday, on the body of Peter Upton Barrett, who was killed by a kick from a horse in Custom-street on Monday. Mr. M, G. McGregor watched the proceedings on behalf of the relatives. A son of deceased gave evidence of identification, and stated further that when he last saw his father alive he was in his usual state of health, and possessing all his faculties. Deceased was 66 years of age. Joseph O'Keefe, a carter, in conjunction with whom deceased had* been working in catting coal from the Hobson-street Wharf to the Gas Works, said he had had considerable experience at carting. He had left the wharf with the fifth load, and deceased was waiting for him as usual at the foot of the " steep pinch'' with the leader. This time, however, when opposite Smith's sash and door factory, the tire came off 'the near wheel of the dray. Witness telephoned to his employer and was told to 1 procure another dray and transfer his load. i When he had done so deceased ' helped him to hitch the leader to the damaged dray by the chains, in order to take it to the blacksmith's shop, 50yds away. As the horse pulled the shaft rose from the ground and struck it and it bolted. Deceased hung to the chain until he was knocked down by a kick from the horse. The horse swerved backwards and forwards across the road before deceased fell. To Mr. McGregor: The props were taken from under the shafts when the horse was hitched to the damaged dray. The shafts were then dragging on the ground. Both witness and deceased were perfectly tober. and they were both-of the opinion that they were adopting the proper method to take the dray to the shop. Thos. Mitchell, who was an eye-witti-ss of the accident, and Dr. Brockway, who was called to see deceased, also gave evidence, j A verdict ol accidental death was returned. I