THE DREDGE FATALITY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14690, 26 May 1911, Page 8

THE DREDGE FATALITY.

CONCLUSION OF INQUEST.

The adjourned inquest on the body of W. T. Bateman, late chief engineer on the Harbour Board's dredge Hapai, was held in the Criterion Hotel yesterday, before the Coroner (Mr. T. Greaham) and a jury. Mr. Hall Skelton appeared for the repre-

mtatives of deceased, and Mr. E. Russell,

on behalf of the Harbour Board. Before taking evidence, the jury visited the dredge.'

Henry, Wetherilt, the Government inspector of machinery, and suveyor of ships for the port of Auckland, said he understood that at the time of the accident de-

ceased was fitting a lubricating pipe to the top bearings, and to the lower bearings on tho vertical driving shaft, which was in motion. In fitting this pipe it was evident that the lower end of the pipe became entangled with the coupling belt of the shaft, making a Spanish windlass of it, binding deceased to the vertical shaft. Every movement of the. shaft, which was then in motion t tightened the grip on the victim.

To Jurymen : If there had been a handrail round the platform it might have prevented deceased falling, but it would not have prevented him from being squeezed. The ladder from the deck to the platform should be a fixed one, if-the bearing had to be oiled by hand. Bateman had charge of the machinery, and had power to stop the shaft while he put the pipe on. T)r. CTirdler gave evidence- that death was caused by shocks, due to severe crushing. This was corroborated by Dr. C. H. Tewsley. Richard Mackay, the second engineer on the dredge, stated that he was engaged with Mr. Bateman in fixing the pipe. Witness left the scene for a time, and on returning saw the deceased made fast to the revolving shaft, with the pipe coiling around him. Witness at once rushed to the engineroom and reversed the engines. This had the effect of unwinding the pipe and letting deceased drop to the ground: The jury returned a verdict that death was due to misadventure. They added a rider to the effect that each vessel should be thoroughly inspected before leaving the dock, as several of their number considered the pipe in question should have been fixed when the dredge was borthed, and the engines not working. The Coroner remarked that he did not consider the rider would have much weight. , The funeral of the late Mr. Bateman will leave Walters Read, Mount Eden, this afternoon at two o'clock.