WATERSIDER’S DEATH

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20672, 10 March 1937, Page 5

WATERSIDER’S DEATH

OPEN VERDICT RETURNED By TelPßTßDh—Prppe Association WELLINGTON, March 9. The Coroner reserved his verdict at the inquest into the death of Gordon Hector Manning on March 3 from injuries received when struck by a 15 cwt steel beam which fell into the hold of the Durham, but intimated that as civil proceedings would no doubt follow the verdict would be an open one. Evidence was given that when an empty tray was being hoisted from the hold the hook unshipped the beam and the beam and hatch covers fell about 50 feet into the hold. The question at issue is whether the beam was secured by bolts, and evidence was given with a view to suggesting it was secured at one end only and that the end showed a rupture mark. The winchman caid he had earlier complained and asked that the forward sections of the hatch should be lifted, but the boatswain replied that this was never done. Another winchman said he saw the corner of an empty wooden tray catch the unbolted end of the beam and lift it up. The beam fell back, missed the slot and wrenched out the bolt in the other end. Counsel asked that in the event of the finding making any reflection on the master or chief officer he might be given the opportunity of calling both. The ship was being worked by non-union men, and one who had given evidence said that had there been unionists among them they would have seen that everything was secure before starting work as they were more experienced.