FACTORY EMPLOYEE’S DEATH

Taranaki Daily News, 7 May 1930, Page 6

FACTORY EMPLOYEE’S DEATH

FALL INTO BOILING WATER. The opinion that dairy factories should provide some belter system of keeping boiling water than leaving it in open vats’ was expressed by the district coroner, Mr. K. S. .Sage, J.l’., at Hawera yesterday, when the inquest into the circumstances surrounuing the death of Leonard John Kilpin, aged 25, was held. Death occurred in tlie Hawera Hospital, to which he had been admitted on April 12 suffering from scalds sustained during his employment at the Mountain Road dairy factory, Eltharn.

The coroner’s verdict was that deatli

was the result of toxaemia from severe scalds suffered by the deceased when he accidentally fell into a vat of hot water. Dr. J. Cairney, medical superintendent of the Hawera Hospital, gave evidence that Kilpin was admitted to the hospital about 5 p.m. on April 12, suffering from a scalded back, extending over the whole width and around both sides of tlie abdomen and lower chest and from the shoulder-blades down to and over both buttocks. Extensive blisters were evident over the area and further blisters came up later. He was delirious before admission and sedatives were administered on account of restlessness. On the following day he was quite bright and his condition satisfactory, but on the evening of April 14 he passed into a state of acute toxaemia, which was recognised as the critical stage in cases of severe burns. An improvement was shown under treatment, but on the evening of April lb* he became worse and died at 1 a.m. In witness’ opinion death was due to acute toxaemia, following the scalding. Dr. Saunders, Eltharn, had ■ attended deceased prior to his admission to the hospital and had accompanied' him to the 'institution. Prior to his admission everything possible had been done. Deceased had been employed as first assistant at the Mountain Road dairy factory, said the manager, C. M. Horrocks. On April 12, he was. washing down a. curd mill near tubs of boiling water and at one stage witness noticed that deceased had become very pale. “I asked him what was the matter,” witness said, ‘‘and he replied ‘nothing.’ Shortly after he walked out with his overcoat on, and about 15 minutes later; he returned doubled up in agony. He said to me, ‘I cannot stand it any longer,’ and lifted up his coat, showing me that he was badly scalded. I could not find any oil in the first aid outfit, but procured some salad oil and rubbed it on the burns. Subsequently we found the bottle of oil from the outfit and rubbed it on his back. I immediately communicated with a doctor and he was present ten minutes later. Neither I nor any other employee saw the accident occur, as we all had our backs j towards deceased. I think, however, ! that he inust have fallen into the I trough, which is about 6ft long, 2ft I wide, and 2ft high, and full of boiling i water kept heated by live steam.” j

Deceased, contrary to custom, was wearing boots on the day of the accident, said witness. Had he exercised ordinary care there was no unnecessary risk attached to his work. 'Witness considered from the injuries that deceased had fallen 'backwards into the tub. Steam on all the vats at the time, made a considerable noise and deceased would have had to have called out very loud to have attracted attention.

When he visited him in hospital deceased told him that he was getting a bucket of water out of the tub and as lie turned his boots slipped and he fell backwards into the tub, said WilI liam George Kilpin. He got out of the I tub and went to the hack without menl tioning the accident to his fellow employees. MATAPU FARMERS UNION. ANNUAL MEETING- REVIEWS YEAR. The annual meeting of the Matapu branch of the Farmers’ Union was held in the Matapu Hall on Friday. Mr. W. T. Seed presided. Sympathy with the -secretary, Mr. G. Downey in the death of his sister was carried. The report and balance sheet, which disclosed a credit balance of £9 14s 2d, were adopted. In presenting the tenth annual report, Mr. Seed complimented, the branch on the satisfactory state of finance. The credit balance compared very favourably with that: of branches of much larger membership. The membership wajs 34. The annual social and dance, although showing only a small profit, were most enjoyable. Prizes were awarded to members successful in the root competitions and to winners in the school competitions. Donations of special prizes for the root crop competitions were made by Kempthorne Prosser and Go., C. A. Wilkinson Ltd., Hodder and Tolley, and the Patea Farmers’ Freezing Works. Mr. Robertson notified that he had interviewed Mr. J. W. Palmer of the fields division about judging the root crops. The arranging' of a left to the president. .■ . Officers elected were: president, Mr. W. T. Seed; vice presidents, Messrs. O. Robertson and R. C. Trcweek; secretary and treasurer, Mr. George Downey; auditor, Mrs. Russell; .executive committee, president and secretary;; delegates to conference, Messrs. T. York and RTreweek. Members complimented Mi. Downey on the way he had carried out the secretarial duties. MANGATOKI NEWS. There was a good attendance on the Mangatoki tennis courts on Saturday afternoon, when some interesting club games were played. Afternoon tea was supplied by the ladies. The. preside.t, Mr. R. D. Douglass, apologised for the absence of Mr. A. C. Peace, donor of the cups for the handicap singles competition, who through indisposition was not able to be present to make the picsentation to the winners. On the request of Mrs. Pease, Mrs. Douglass was called on to officiate in her stead. The president said the clubs thanks were due to Mr. Pease for generous gifts which had done much to stimulate interest in the club. There had been good competition for the cups and an improvement in .play had resulted. To become the property of the, member the cups would have to be. won three times in succession. He had pleasure in calling on Mrs. Douglass to present the cups to the first winners, Mrs. Dunean and S. Marx, who had thoroughly deserved success. . . - ;