COACH ACCIDENT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 348, 18 April 1874, Page 2

COACH ACCIDENT.

INQUEST. The adjourned inquiry into the death of Thomas Anderson was held iv the Courthouse, Lawrence, yesterday, at 2 o'clock. After the names of the jury were called, Mr. Inspector Thompson said he had not any further evidence to offer ; but he had received a statement made by Miss Ambridge, ' and witnessed by Mr. Mallard, that* might possibly be taken in evidence. The Coronor said he could not take it in evidence. He had, however seen it, and did not consider it threw any light on the inquiry. The following is Miss Ambridge's statement :—": — " lam a single woman, living at. present with my mother, in Dunedin. I was a passenger by the coach on the day of the accident from Clyde to Lawrence. I was sitting outside next the driver. Mrs. Anderson sat next to me. The coach had 'arrived, at the top of the bill, and was just descending upon the opposite side. The horses were only walking as we descended the bill. I saw the driver put his foot on the brake,, which I saw immediately afterwards had given way or broken. I then saw him thrown forward on the foot-board. I heard him ask Mrs. Anderson to put her foot on the brake* at' her side. I remember nothing more till I was taken to Tuapeka on the following morning. Ido not consider" the driver was ra any way to blame. He was quite sober. (Signed) " EITMA AmbeIDGE." Mr. Thompson said that Mr. Anderson was in the Hospital, and neither he nor his wife were yet fit to give evidence. The Coroner- stated that he had seen Dr. Stewart, whojnformed him that Mr. Anderson was suffering from a very severe cold. The question of adjournment was then considered. There was a difficulty at- first of fixing upon a day, aud then of fixing upon an hour ; some jurors thought the afternoon of Friday would be the moat suitable, and others preferred Wednesday next. Wednesday having been fixed upon by the foreman, who considered 9 o'clock in the morning the best time of the day t« meet .while some of the jurymen preferred 5 o'clock in the afternoon, declaring that they could not leave their respective places of business at any hour of the day that might be fixed upon. The Coroner quietly reminded them that they would require to appear on the day and hour, otherwise suffer the consequences." The necessary document was then signed by the jurymen, after a great deal of squabbling, and the Court adjourned.