INQUEST AT LYTTELTON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6033, 15 September 1887, Page 3

INQUEST AT LYTTELTON.

This Day.

The inquiry into the circumstances connected with the death of Cathol M'Leod, who waa killed by falling down the hold of the s.s. ' Botomahana on August 23, was held this forenoon. The inquest had been adjourned to allow the evidence of the chief officer and winchman. of the steamer to be taken.

Mr It. Beetham wa3 Coroner, and Mr W. Hildyard was foreman of the -jury. Mr H. N. Nalder appeared to watch the proceedings on behalf of the Union Steamship Company. William Colquhoun, chief officer of the s.s. Botomahana, sworn, said he knew the deceased Cathol M'Leod. He was A.B. on board the Botomahana. Eemembered the day he met his death. Witness was standing on the wharf at the time of the accident, opposite the fore hatch, where deceased was working. Did not see deceased fall down the hold. Do not know how the accident happened. The name of the winch— -an was Donald Matherson; he belongs to the ship. It is the duty of the hat— linan to give the order to " heave up" to the winchman. Witness ordered M'Leod to get the sling on board. It was his duty to repeat the order to the winchman. Witness did order the winchman to " heave up," but could not say if M'Leod repeated the order. The usual method for loading cargo was employed. Witness spoke to deceased immediately before the accident. Deceased was standing in front of the sling when witness gave him the order to go up. Deceased went on board before tho sling. This is the usual way. Did not see the deceased after he left the wharf. The duty of deceased was not dangerous.

Examined by Mr Nalder : We were loading from the middle railway line. A stage is secured from the truck to the ship's side. The goods are simply drawn along thi3 stage, and are usually stopped a few feet from the mouth of the hatch. It was so ou this occasion. The stage is about sft wide. Deceased must have fallen from the after part of the stage, from the position he was found in the hold, consequently he must have crossed the stage after witness saw him. It was a wet day, and the stage was slippery. Deceased had acted as hatchman over two years, and was an active man. He had been in the ship over three years, and had many a time been cautioned to be more careful in his duties as hatchman.

Donald Matheson, winchman onboard the s.B. Rotomahana. Witness was at the winch at the time of the accident. Received the order from the chief officer on the occasion of the mishap, witness thought, but could not swear. Sometimes the hatchman gives the order to "go up," and at v other times the officer in in charge of the hatch. On receiving the order to "heave up," witness looked towards the wharf. The chain was hooked on to the sling, and deceased was standing on tbe fore part of the sling. "Witnesahove the sling in on the skids. Owing to the skids not being even, one end canted in. It was about 18in above the deck. When the stage canted witness stopped bearing up, and M'Leod walked on to the skid, and on getting as far as the combing of the hatch, slipped, and fell into the hatch. Do not think the sling touched deceased, but could not ewear ib.

To a juryman : Cannot swear the chief officer was in a hurry to get tbe goods on board. Witness considered the Htage was quite safe, and did not know if deceased wanted any improvements made to it. Do not I— iow if the stage was altered after the accident. (The jury here retired to view the stage, &c, where the accident occurred). Oa returning Matheaon, in reply to Mr Nalder, said: The sling did not touch the deceased. When decoased fell down the hatch the bags were about three feet from him.

The Coroner then reviewed the evidence and the jury retired. After a short deliberation the jury returned with a verdict of "Accidental death," and also that no blame attached to the officers of the vessel.