BALCLUTHA DISTRICT NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22100, 2 November 1933, Page 13

BALCLUTHA DISTRICT NEWS

(From Oub Own Correspondent.) BALCLUTHA, November 1.

STIRLING ROAD FATALITY. ' The adjourned inquest on the body of Daniel Hessey Davey/who died as the result of injuries suffered in a motor collision on the Stirling road on October 21, was resumed to-day at the Balclutha Courthouse, before Mr W. Kean, J.P., as coroner, and a jury comprising Messrs G. W. Wood (foreman), A. Stevens, James Guest, and Wilson Elliott. Mr A. C. Hanlon appeared on behalf of Mr R. C. Wilson; Mr R. R. Grigor represented the relatives of the deceased, and Mr C. B. Barrowclough the Stirling Dairy Factory Company and the Farmers’ Union Mutual Fire Association.

Thomas Duncan, manager of the Stirling dairy factory, said that the deceased had been employed for about six years_ as assistant cheesemaker. On the morning of the accident witness sent the deceased a message on his motor cycle. The weather was bad. with sleejt and rain showers. ' i

Richard Charles Wilson, agent for Dalgety and Co. at Balclutha, gave evidence that on the date in question he was returning from Stirling to Balclutha. He was travelling at the rate of not more than 20 miles an hour, and when approaching the intersection with the Factory road a man on a motor cycle struck his car on the right aide.) Witness must have been past the intersection when the collision occurred. Witness knew nothing more till the car went over on its side. He could not explain why the sprocket on the rear wheel of the bicycle showed signs of a severe bump, and the front spring of the car bore similar signs. David Milne, an employee of the factory, described the. scene just after the accident and Dr D. M. Frengley said that when the deceased was admitted to the Balclutha Hospital he was unconscious, and was suffering from extensive injuries, including a deep scalp' wound and facial injuries. He died about 7 p.m. In witness’s opinion death was due to cerebral laceration and fracture of the base of the skull. Constable G. Watkins and Constable W. S. Boyle gave evidence regarding the position of the marks on the car, ;and the latter said he was of opinion that the bike had not struck the side of the car.

The jury, after a retirement of threequarters of an hour, returned a verdict that the deceased met his death the result of injuries accidentally received. No blame was attachable to either patrty. QUEEN CARNIVAL.

The Methodist Queen Carnival was brought to a close last evening with a concert in St. Mark’s Hall, when there was a good attendance. The bulk of an enjoyable programme was contributed by the Kaitangata troupe of minstrels led by Dr de Clive Lowe. During half .hour intervals announcements were made 'by the Rev. F. J. Handy concerning the progress of the contest, the final result being Mias Brenda Mitchell (Sports Queen) 2404 shilling votes; Miss Dorothy Sinclair (Choir Queen), 1662; Miss Marjorie Guest (Services Queen), 1000. It was announced that the effort would result in a profit of £253 6s 6d. , -• OBITUARY. Mr C. G. Kirby, a well-known citizen of Balclutha, passed away early this morning, after a long illness. He was a son of the late Mr Henry Kirby, who was one of the earliest bakers in Kaitangata, and subsequently conducted the Coffee Palace in Balclutha. Mr Kirby, who was a tailor by trade, also conducted a tailoring business at Kaitangata, and also for many years at Balclutha. He was secretary of the Kaka Point Welfare Society, and took considerable interest in local affairs, until ill-health prevented him from active participation. He is survived by his widow. ’