ENQUIRY INTO THE DEATH OF LOVELACE AT WELLINGTON.

Timaru Herald, Volume XL, Issue 3196, 23 December 1884, Page 3

ENQUIRY INTO THE DEATH OF LOVELACE AT WELLINGTON.

(By Tbleokaph.) Wbllihgtok, Dec. 22. An enquiry was held to-day into the circumstances connected with the death of Win. Lovelace, who was injured on board the s.s. Hawea on Friday last. The evidence showed that while the case of galvanised iron was being slang on board it was not raised high enough by the winch to clear the hatch, which it struck. The bottom of the case fell out, and the conetnts slipping away, fell on deceased, indicting terrible injuries, from which he gucenmbed. Evidence was adduced that a seaman had been duly at the hatch passing down word when cases were being lowered, hut prior to the accident he had been taken away on the authority of Mr Waller, chief officer, to perform some other duty. Two seamen deposed that when they saw the case strike the hatch, they called out, "Stand from nnder." John Garlick, who was working with deceased m the hold of the vessel, said they were trying to lift a he*vv case when two single sheets of iron fell down and struck deceased on the leg, the rest of the case coming down immediately afterwards. Witness just had time to jump aside, but deceased got his foot jammed. They had not been aware of tbs fact that the man at the hatchway had been called away, otherwise they might have been more careful. After a quarter of an hour's deliberation the jury returned a verdict of manslaughter against the chief officer Wm. Waller. To tbe verdict was appended the following rider— "That the Coroner be requested to point out to the Harbor Board the importance of the attendance of a man at the hatchway." Waller was afterwards committed for trial. Bail was allowed m two sureties of £200 each and himself m £100. Waller obtained bail, and left m the Hawea for Picton and Nelson during the afternoon.