THE ACCIDENT AT MEEK'S MILLS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 109, 26 August 1876, Page 2

THE ACCIDENT AT MEEK'S MILLS.

"THE INQUEST. An inquiry took place at the Hosjiital this morning before T-. W. Parker, Esq., Coroner, touching the death of .John M'Murtrie, -which occurred yesterday. Mi*. D. Booth was chosen foreman of the Jury. Alexander Nicoll deposed : I am a miller in the employ of John and Thomas Meek. Knew the deceased, who was employed as miller in the same establishment. Recollect him going to work about six o'clock yesterday. The machinery was started slowly at 6.30, and the deceased went up to the second storey to adjust the feed of the catmeal stones. There are two feeders, eighteen inches apart, between which is a perpendicular shaft, which drives the sieves. The diameter of the shaft is about two and a-half inches, and it makes about 135 revolutions per minute. In adjusting the feeder, it is almost impossible to avoid touching the shaft, it being midway between the two stones. The deceased had on a loose jacket, buttoned in the centre. At the time of the accident I was on the ground floor. Shortly after the deceased went on to the second storey, Tankard and myself heard a noisy as if something were striking against the cases, and I at once called out to the engineer to stop the engines, which was very quickly done. I immediately went up-stairs to the stones, and found the deceased lying between them, with his jacket and shirt fastened, round the shaft. The head was above the feeder, on the top of the cases, and when I first saw him one of the feet was torn off the body. I at once called assistance, and sent up Tankard and the two enginedrivers, and went for the doctor. There was no lamp where deceased was working, and it was rather dark. He did not speak to me, but gave a groan. I think a wooden box to protect the shaft would not interfere with the spring. About six weeks ago, the same jacket worn by the deoeased yesterday was caught in another shaft, but he then succeeded in releasing himself by a miracle. I do not know that cautioned with regard to the this particular shaft, but he was with regard to another. He has told me to be careful, and seemed to be aware of the danger attending all the shafts. The deceased had been employed in the mill about three or four years. H. A. De Lautour deposed: I am a duly qualified medical practitioner, residing in Oamaru. Yesterday morning I was called about 7-15 to attend at Meek's Mills. When I got there, I found the deceased lying on some sacks on the floor. He was close to the machine where the accident occurred, and was perfectly sensible, but suffering severely from the shock. The right leg was torn off six inches above the ancle, and the left one was broken in several places. I procured a stretcher, and had the man conveyed to

the Hospital, where Dr. Wait and myself made a more complete "\V e found also several internal injuries, and the left arm broken in several places. The chest, also, had two or three ribs broken and respiration was veiy difficult. Thg face was discoloured, and under both eyelids there was much blood. From the time I first saw deceased, did not think he could live long. He was perfectly sensible at the time he arrived at the Hospital, and I am of opinion that the injuries received were sufficient to cause death. James Tankard also gave evidence, which was substantially the same as that given by the first witness. Thomas Meek was called, but the evidence given by him was of an unimportant nature. The jury returned a verdict of " Acci. dental Death," adding a rider to the effect " that they would recommend that al] shafts in exposed positions should he boxed in."