INQUEST.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6015, 25 August 1887, Page 3

INQUEST.

The Lyttelton Fatality.

An inquest was held yesterday at the Mitre Hotel, Lyttelton, to enquire into the circumstances connected with the death of Cathol M'Leod, who died from ini'uries received on board the steamer Eotomahana on Tuesday. Mr E. Beetham was Coroner, and Mr W. Hildyard was chosen foreman of the jury. After viewing the body in the, morgue, the following evidence wa3 taken : — W. G. Fitzhenry, aworn, said : He was a duly qualified medical man, residing in Lyttelton. Was called to see the deceased at about 2 p.m. on the previous day. He waß being carried along the wharf. Ordered his removal to the casual ward, where he (witness) completed his examination. Found he had received a fracture of the base of the skull and was badly bruised. Could do nothing for him, and he. died at about 4 p.m. J. W. Cargill said he wa3 agent at Lyttelton for the Union Steamship Company. The deceased was a seaman on board the steamer Eotomahana. Knew nothing of the accident by which the deceased met his death, and nothing about his relatives. E. Gill said he was a clerk in the employ of the Union Steamship Company. "Was working at the Eotomahana on Tuesday. Saw the deceased, who was attending the fore hatch. He was keeping the slings clear of the coamings of the hatch. Deceased went on shore to hook the sling on, and after this was done he (deceased) called to the winchman to heave up. As the sling was being hauled on board he tried to cross, and in doing so he was met by the bags and;, sent below, a distance of about 22ft. Immediate steps were taken to procure medical aid. Had had considerable experience in the working of cargoes, and in the opinion of witness every care was taken to prevent accidents. The chief officer of the vessel was in charge of the work, and had just left the hatch when tha accident occurred. To the Foreman : The man at ttie -winch, gets the order to " heave up " from the man at the hatch. To a Juryman : The chief officer did not | give the order to heave up as he was not at the hatch at the time. Witness was certain. deceased was running across when the j sling was being taken on board. The man I was doing two duties, one by hooking the | sling on, the other by attending to the hateh 1 . Could not "swear that the chief I officer did not give the order to heave up. W. H. Dale said he was a clerk. Was working at the Eotomahana when ! the accident happened to deceased. Saw deceased on the wharf. Did not sea him come on board the veseel, but saw him jump across the stage on which the goods run when being taken on board. While in the act of crossing the Btage the sling caught him and knocked him down the hold. Did not notice any officer at the hatch at the time. Could not say who gave the order to the winchman to " heave up." The accident would not have happened had deceased not attempted to cross the stage. To a Juryman : Deceased might have been attending to some dutieß forward of the hatch, and was crossing the stage at the time of the accident. It is usual for the hatchman to go to the truck and hook on the sling.

John Madden said he was a labourer

employed on the wharf. Was down the hold of the Hotomahana when de-

ceased fell down. Knew nothing as to bow the accident happened. Deceased tf^ruck a cask in the fall, and was unconscious when picked up. Had had considerable experience in work of this kind. It is usually the duty of the hatchman to give the order to "heave-up." Iv work for the New Zealand Shipping Company, the Railway's man hooka on the sling. A man could not very well gat on the wharf to hook on from the New Zealand Shipping Company's boats, as they are so high above the wharf. Have filled the position of hatchman and hooked on the cling at the same time. It would not be safe to cross the stage as the winch was heaving up. Mr Cargiil, to the Foreman: Deceased had been in the ship about four years, and would most probably have done hatch work before.

W. Stewart said he was employed by the Railway at the Eotomahana on Tuesday. Was present when the aocident happened. Did not know who hooked on the sling. Deceased came on the wharf to the sling. Could" not swear whether deceased went on board before the order to heave up was given, but he was in front of the bag as they were going on board. Could not say who gave the order to heave up. The chief officer and the hatchaian were both there. Was sure the chief officer was at the hatch at the time. Did not see the deceased cross the stage. He may have done so, but witness thought not. The man at the hatch gives the order to heave on the winch. It is usual for the hatchman to hook on the slings, and it is sate to do so.

To the Foreman : The proper way is for the winchman to walk after the sling. Deceased walked aboard in front of the bags.

Stewart continued, said: He was certain deceased was not re-arranging the stage when the order was given to heave up.

The jury then retired, and shortly afterwards returned and informed the Coroner that they were unable to find a verdict, there not being sufficient evidence before them.

The investigation waß then adjourned until the return of the Eotomahana from Melbourne, when the evidence of the chief officer and that of the wincbman will be taken.

The body of the deceased will be sent to Dunedin to-day, where some of his friends reside. -•»•.?.