AN EARLY WAGONER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25797, 19 March 1945, Page 2

AN EARLY WAGONER

Sir, —“ Old Wagoner ” has been asking through your columns the date when a wagoner named " Ned ” Gibson was fatally injured on the road near Wedderburn in the early coaching days, and where he was buried. As one who knew Ned ” Gibson well, I would like to let “ Old Wagoner ” know all I can of this old-time leading wagoner of Central Otago. He always liked to have the best team of horses on the road, and kept them in the pink of condition. On the day he was killed I spoke to him and his two fellow wagoners when they were yoking no in front of one of the hotels in Wedderburn, where they had been feeding their horses and themselves having a meal. The other two wagoners were “ Josh ” Dungey and. X think, “ Sandy ” Gunn. They were all loaded with wool from Blackslone Hill Station and were on their way to the railway at Dunback. When the accident happened Dungey was in the lead and negotiated Woodney's Gully safely, but " Ned ” Gibson, who had a team of 10 horses, failed to make, the approach to the culvert at tho bottom correctly, and was killed when the wagon capsized. As to the date, it must have been January or February, 1891. I have no knowledge of his funeral or where he was buried, but he came from the North Taieri, where he had two brothers, members of whose families are still there, and perhaps could supply the information wanted. I would just like to say that ” Ned ” Gibson was a man of sober habits, trustworthy and much respected. His death was a great shock to the district at the time, and was much regretted. I am, etc. Donald Sutherland.

Broad Bay, March 15. [A nephew of Mr "Ned” Gibson, Mr Francis Gibson, who resides in Fox street, South Dunedin, informs us that the fateful accident occurred on Christmas Eve, 51 years ago. and Mr Gibson was buried in the East Taieri cemetery.—Ed., 0D.T.1