THE RAETIHI FATALITY.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 12829, 23 July 1909, Page 7

THE RAETIHI FATALITY.

Th» Late Mr J, Gibson

Particulars received in town concerning the .recent fatality al Ractihi, by 'which Mr Joseph Gibson lobfc his life, show that' he had some gelignite stored in his workshop, and, feeling uneasy about its safety,/ decided to shift it to a whare some distance away. He was *n the act of carry T ing a 501 b case of the explosive out of the workshop, when he stumbled and fell, with the box underneath him. The concussion exploded the gelignite, killing Mr .Gibson instantly, and demolishing the workshop. The body was terribly mutilated.

The late Mr Gibson, who was a Justice of the Peace for the Raetihi district, was one of the pioneer settlers of the Waimarino. He . arrived there in the first days of the township, when it was almost inaccessible through want of roads, and when the settlers had to endure many hardships. . He was always cheerful and optimistic facing every 'difficulty with a smile, and it is, therefore, easy to understand that he was liked and esteemed with all who knew him.

Mr Gibson war a native of Knaresborough, Yorkshire, and came out to New Zealand with his parents about 25 years ago, - when 12 years of age. After a | residence in Foxton and Wellington, he. •erved an. apprenticeship wit.li Mr Denton?" ironmonger, of Wellington, afterwards going into business on his own, account as a storekeeper at Raetihi. Mr Gibson was an enthusiast in musical matters, and always took a special and active . interest in church and Sounday school work. He leaves a widow and one child, with whom, together with his mother and sister, widespread sympathy is felt.