NEW ZEALAND DISASTERS AND TRAGEDIES
OTAGO MINERS INQUESTS FROM THE OTAGO POLICE GAZETTES
1868-1872

With much thanks to Bill Martin for extracting these valuable pieces of genealogical information.

From the Otago Police Gazettes:

1868

An Inquest was held on the 18th January, 1868, at Frenchman’s Hill, near Switzer’s Diggings, by H S STRATFORD, Esq., R M & Coroner, on the body of Joseph BUTTERFIELD, a miner aged 23, who was accidentally killed the previous day, by the fall of a large mass of earth upon him, while working his claim at Frenchman’s Hill. Verdict accordingly.

An inquest was held on the 25th March 1868 at the Victoria Hotel, Naseby, by J N WOOD, Esq., R M & Coroner, on the body of Edward WILSON, a miner, aged about 35, whose death was accidentally caused on the above date, by the fall of a quantity of earth upon him, while at work in his claim at Naseby. Verdict accordingly.

An inquest was held on the 27th March, 1868, at the Royal Mail Hotel, German Hill, Black’s Diggings, by W L SIMPSON, Esq., R M & Coroner, on the body of Thomas CAREY, a miner aged about 37, whose death was caused the previous day by a stone falling upon him while at work on his claim at German Hill, killing him instantly. Verdict - accidental death.

An inquest was held on the 28 April, 1868, at Frenchman’s Hill, near Switzers, by H A STRATFORD, Esq., R M & Coroner, on the body of William DEMPSEY, a miner, aged 21, whose death was caused the previous day by a large quantity of earth falling upon him while at work with his mates on their claim at Donnybrook, near Switzers. Verdict - accidental death.

An inquest was held on the 4th July 1868, at the store of Mr John ANDERSON, Taupeka Mouth, by Edward CROKER, Esq., R M & Coroner, on the body of John MCCUDDEN, a miner, aged about 30, who died there on July 1st from inflammation of the lungs, caused by exposure to wet and cold. Verdict accordingly.

An inquest was held on the 3rd September 1868, at the Victoria Hotel, Naseby, by H W ROBINSON, Esq., R M & Coroner, on the body of Ah GUN, a Chinese miner, aged about 32, who was accidentally killed the previous day while at work in his claim at Naseby, by a large quantity of earth falling upon him. Verdict accordingly.

An inquest was held on the 12th September 1868, at Preston’s store, Macetown, Arrow River, by R BEETHAM, Esq., R M & Coroner, on the body of Thomas WINTER, a miner, aged about 28, who was found dead in an old tail race at Macetown on the morning of the 10th Sptember 1868, with his skull fractured, caused it is supposed, by his having accidentally fallen into the tail-race while returning to his tent the previous night in a state of intoxication. Open verdict.

An inquest was held on the 12th September 1868, at the Union Hotel, Hamilton’s, by H W ROBINSON, R M & Coroner, on the body of Paul MOORE, a miner, aged about 22, who was accidentally killed the previous day by the fall of a quantity of earth upon him while at work in a claim at Hamilton’s. Verdict accordingly.

An inquest was held on the 29th September 1868, at Rough Ridge, Mount Ida District, by H W ROBINSON, Esq., R M & Coroner, on the body of Charles HARRISON, a miner, aged about 30, who, while at work in his claim there on that date, was accidentally killed by a large mass of rock falling upon him. Verdict accordingly.

An inquest was held on the 9th November 1868, at the Sportsman’s Arms Hotel, Wetherstone’s, by Edward CROKER, Esq., R M & Coroner, on the body of George CLINKSCALE, a miner aged about 39, who was accidentally killed by a large mass of cement falling upon him the previous day while working at his claim at Weatherstone’s. Verdict accordingly.

An inquest was held on the 12th November 1868, at the Dunstan Hospital, Clyde, By Vincent PYKE, Esq., R M & Coroner, on the body of Owen GANNON, a miner aged 26, who was admitted to the above institution on the first October 1868, suffering from bronchitis, and died there on the 10h November. Verdict - died from pulmonary consumption.

An inquest was held on the 14th December 1868, at the Taupeka Hotel, Taupeka Flat, by Edward CROKER, Esq., R M & Coroner, on the body of Ah QUAN, a Chinese miner, aged about 41, who during a temporary fit of insanity on the 11th December, hanged himself by the neck to the pole of his tent. Verdict accordingly.

An inquest was held on the 15th December 1868, at the Falcon Hotel, Clyde, by Vincent PYKE, Esq., R M & Coroner, on the body of Hoch KONG, a Chinese miner, aged about 51, whose body was found the previous day in his tent at Prospect Flat, Clyde. He had apparently died several days before, the cause of death being inflammation of the lungs. Verdict accordingly.

1869

An inquest was held on the 7th January 1869, at Lawrence Gaol, by Edward CROKER, Esq., R.M & Coroner, on the body of William CROOK, a miner, aged about 46, who died there the previous day while under medical treatment, death having resulted from “delirium tremens.” Verdict accordingly.

An inquest was held on 5th February 1869, at Palmerston, by J W MURDOCH, Esq., R M & Coroner, on the body of Ah YAIK, a Chinese miner, aged about 40, who had been suffering from dropsy, and died on the 5th February at the Taieri Lake Station, while on his way to Dunedin Hospital from Naseby, having been forwarded from the latter by subscription, for the purpose of receiving medical treatment. Verdict - died from natural causes.

An inquest was held on 13th February 1869, at the house of Mr Isaac CLARK, Millers Flat, by John DEWE, Esq., Coroner, on the body of Thomas GIBBONS, a miner, aged about 38, whose death took place the previous day. (circumstances not stated) Verdict - died by the visitation of God.

An inquest was held on the 3rd March 1869, at the Hartley Arms Hotel, Clyde by Vincent PYKE, Esquire, R.M and Coroner, on the body of Loi YIN, a Chinese miner, aged about 50, who had been ill for several weeks, and died on the previous day while being removed from the Nevis diggings to the Dunstan Hospital. Verdict - died from natural causes.

An adjourned inquest was held on 11th June 1869, at Switzers Diggings, by J N WOODS, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of James BOLTON, a miner aged about 36, who died on the 5th June from severe injuries received by a large mass of earth falling upon him while at work on his claim at Frenchman’s Hill. Verdict - accidental death.

James SMITH, formerly a miner at Teviot Diggings, but who, for a short time previous to his death, was employed quarrying stone at Portobello, was accidentally drowned on the 14th June 1869, owing to the boat in which he was crossing to Port Chalmers being suddenly caught in a squall, an capsized off the Quarantine Island. Body not yet recovered, having been probably washed out to sea.

An Inquest was held, on 17th June 1869, at the Court House, Macrae’s Flat, by H W ROBINSON, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of Thomas MIDDLETON, a miner, aged about 36, who on or about the 14th June, while in an unsound state of mind, was accidentally drowned in a water hole, in a gully near Macrae’s Flat. Verdict accordingly.

An inquest was held on the 14th July 1869, at the Post Office Hotel, by Richard BEETHAM, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of Nils Christian THOMPSON, a miner aged about 40, who was accidentally killed by falling over a precipice in above locality, two days previously. Verdict accordingly.

An inquest was held on the 22nd July 1869, by Dr HOCKEN, Coroner, on the body of Henry WALKER, a miner, aged about 26, who died on the 20th July, from an attack of epilepsy. Verdict accordingly.

An inquest was held on the 12th August 1869 , at Kidd’s Hotel, Cromwell, by Vincent PYKE, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of Le CHEONG, a Chinese miner, aged about 55, who died suddenly in his tent about 7 miles from Cromwell, on the night of the 10th August, death being caused by enlargement of the heart. Verdict accordingly.

An inquest was held, on the 8th September 1869, at the Taupeka Hotel, Taupeka Flat, by W L SIMPSON, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of Ah QUNG, a Chinese miner, aged about 19, who was found dead in his bed there the previous morning. Verdict - died by the visitation of God.

An inquest was held, on the 17th September 1869, at the Waipori Hotel, Waipori, by W L SIMPSON, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of Ah YONT, a Chinese miner, aged about 26, who was accidentally killed the previous day by a large mass of earth falling upon him, while working his claim at the Lammerlaw, near Waipori.

An inquest was held, on the 21st September 1869, at Kyburn Diggings, Mount Ida District, by H W ROBINSON, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of Alfred SCARLETT, a miner, aged about 28, who was accidentally killed the previous day, by a large quantity of earth falling upon him, while at work in his claim, at the Kyburn. Verdict accordingly.

An inquest was held, on the 25th October 1869, at the District Hospital, Lawrence, by W L SIMPSON, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of Ah CHOW, a Chinese miner, aged about 27, who’s death took place there the previous day, immediately after being admitted for medical treatment. Verdict - died from disease of the heart.

An inquest was held, by H W ROBINSON, Esq., R M and Coroner, at the residence of the deceased, on the 7th December 1869, on the body of Deidrick REINNER, a miner aged 45, and a native of Hanover, who died on the 6th December from injuries received through a large quantity of earth falling upon him while working in a claim at Naseby on the 30th November 1869. Verdict - accidental death.

An inquest was held, by H W ROBINSON, Esq., R M and Coroner, at Hamilton’s Police Station, on the 8th December 1869, on the body of Joseph SUMMERS, a miner aged 25, who was accidentally drowned by the upsetting of a punt in which he was sailing, on a water dam near Hamilton’s. Verdict accordingly.

An inquest was held on the 10th December 1869, at the store of Joseph BURLEY, Glenorchy, Lake Wakatipu, by Richard BEETHAM, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of a Chinese miner named Chung SUNG, but known as “the doctor”, who was found dead - jammed between two logs of timber on the Buckle-burn Creek, on the 9th December. Verdict - Accidental death.

An inquest was held, on the 10th December 1869, Tait’s Bendigo Hotel, Naseby, , by H W ROBINSON, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of Arthur Brompton GORDON, a miner, aged 33, who was accidentally killed the previous day, by a large quantity of earth falling upon him, while working in a claim, at Naseby, same day. Verdict accordingly.

An inquest was held, on the 15th December 1869 at the Courthouse, Black’s, by Vincent PYKE, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of David BREWS, miner aged 65, a native of the Orkney Islands, who was found dead in his hut, on the 13th December, at Black’s. It appeared from the evidence adduced that the deceased died from disease of the heart and lungs. Verdict accordingly.

An inquest was held, on the 29th December 1869, by H W ROBINSON, Esq., R M and Coroner, at the residence of the deceased, Soweburn, near Hamilton’s, on the body of Thomas Henry MORRIN, a miner, aged 44, who was accidentally killed the previous day, by a falling from a horse. Verdict accordingly.

An inquest was held, on the 31st December 1869 at the Cromwell Hotel, Cromwell, by Vincent PYKE, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of John William GARRETT, miner aged 31, who was accidentally killed the previous day by falling from his horse. Verdict accordingly.

1870

An inquest was held, on the 4th January 1870 at the Royal Mail Hotel, Alexandra,, Black’s, by Vincent PYKE, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of Thomas GEDDES, miner aged 29, who was accidentally killed the previous day by a rock falling upon him while working in a claim at Conroy’s Gully. Verdict accordingly.

A medical examination and enquiry was held on the 14th January 1870, by Dr Alexander A FLEMMING, at the Marewhenua diggings, on the body of a miner named Joseph JONES, aged 45, who it appears from the medical and testimony adduced, died from the effects of Tutu poison; some of the berries of which he was seen to eat on the 11th. Medical certificate to that effect.

An inquest was held on the 15th January 1870 on the body of a man, name unknown, apparently a miner, who was found on the 13th, lying on a sand bank in the Molyneux river, in an advanced state of decomposition. Description: aged 30 to 32, height 5 ft 8 or 9 inches; dressed in white moleskin trousers, flannel shirt, and new watertight boots. Verdict - found drowned.

An inquest was held on the 27th January 1870, at the store of Thomas Lynch, Moke Creek, by Richmond BEETHAM, R M and Coroner, on the body of Patrick MCINNERNY, a miner, aged 28, who was accidentally killed the previous day by a fall of earth while working in Lynch’s claim on said creek. Verdict accordingly.

An inquest was held on the 7th May 1870, at the Lunatic Asylum, Dunedin, by T M HOCKEN, Esq., Coroner, on the body of Benjamin TRAVERS, aged 30 years, miner, who died at the Lunatic asylum on the 6th May. A verdict was returned that the cause of death was exhaustion and madness.

An inquest was held, on the 17th June 1870, at the Court House, Mcrae’s Flat, by H W ROBINSON, Esq., R M & Coroner, on the body of Thomas MIDDLETON, a miner aged about 36, who on or about the 14th of June, while in an unsound state of mind, accidentally drowned in a water-hole in a gully near Mcrae’s Flat. Verdict accordingly.

An inquest was held on the 21st June 1870, at the Post Office Hotel, Maori Point, By R BEETHAM , Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of Joseph MCILROY, a mined aged 35, who was killed by falling over a precipice there on the 17th June while in a state of intoxication. Verdict accordingly.

An inquest was held on the 11th July 1870, at the Public Library, Skippers Point, By R BEETHAM, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of William PENBERTHY, a mined aged 40, who died suddenly on the 8th July. Verdict - Died by the visitation of God.

An inquest was held on the 14th July 1870, at the Edinburgh Castle Hotel, Queenstown, By R BEETHAM , Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of Paul Dexter MILLER, a miner aged 28, who was accidentally killed on the previous day by falling into a mining paddock 100 feet deep. Verdict accordingly.

An inquest was held on 28th July 1870, at the Clyde Hotel, Clyde by Vincent PYKE, Esq., R.M. & Coroner, on the body of Seh Ah GOON, a Chinese miner, aged about 42, who was found two days previously in a cave at Rocky Point, near Clyde, about a mile from his tent. According to medical evidence adduced, death resulted from inflammation of the lungs, accelerated by the excessive use of opium. Verdict - found dead.

An inquest was held on the 28th July 1870 at the Manuka Creek Hotel, Manuka Creek, by W L SIMPSON, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of William TODD, a miner, aged 31, who died suddenly on the 26th July. Verdict - Died from disease of the heart and lungs.

An inquest was held on the 30th July 1870, at the Criterion Hotel, Alexandra, by Vincent PYKE, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of James REEVES, a miner, aged 30, who was accidentally killed the previous day by a fall of earth, while mining at Hobble’s Creek, Manuherikia. Verdict accordingly.

An inquest was held on the 4th August 1870, at the residence of David HUTCHISON, Shag Point, by John W MURDOCH, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of John COOK, a miner aged 28, who was accidentally drowned by the upsetting of a boat at Shag Point on the 19th July 1870. Verdict accordingly.

An inquest was held on the 20th August 1870, at the Oriental Hotel, Skippers Point, By R BEETHAM, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of William SHEPHERD, a miner aged 48, who was killed on the 8th August by by falling down a cliff at Skippers Point while in a state of intoxication. Verdict accordingly.

An inquest was held on 25th August 1870, at the Kidd’s Hotel, Cromwell by Vincent PYKE, Esq., R.M. & Coroner, on the body of Le CHEONG, a Chinese miner, aged about 55, who died suddenly in his tent, about 7 miles from Cromwell, on the night of August 10th, death being caused by extreme enlargement of the heart. Verdict- Died from natural causes.

An inquest was held on the 17th September 1870, at the Waipori Hotel, Waipori, by W L SIMPSON, Esq., R.M. and Coroner, on the body of Ah YONT, a Chinese miner, aged about 26, who was accidentally killed the previous day by a large mass of earth falling upon him, while working in his claim at Lammerlaw, near Waipori.

An inquest was held, on the 21st September 1870, at the Kyeburn Diggings, Mt Ida district, by H W ROBINSON, Esq., R M & Coroner, on the body of Alfred SCARLETT, a miner, aged about 28, who was accidentally killed the previous day, by a large quantity of earth falling upon him, while at work in his claim, at the Kyburn. Verdict accordingly.

An inquest was held, on the 8th October 1870, at the Taupeka Hotel, Taupeka Flat, by W L SIMPSON, Esq., R M & Coroner, on the body of Ah QUNG, a Chinese miner, aged about 19, who was found dead in his bed there the previous morning. Verdict : Died by the visitation of God.

An inquest was held, on the 25th November 1870, at the District Hospital, Lawrence, by W L SIMPSON, Esq., R M & Coroner, on the body of Ah CHOW, a Chinese miner, aged about 27, whose death took place there the previous day, immediately after being admitted for medical treatment. Verdict: Died from disease of the heart.

An inquest was held, on the 7th December 1870, at the residence of the deceased, by H W ROBINSON, Esq., R M & Coroner, on the body of Deidrick REINNER, a miner, aged 45 and a native of Hanover, who died the previous day from injuries received through a quantity of earth falling upon him while working in his claim at Naseby on the 30th November. Verdict- Accidental death.

An inquest was held, on the 8th December 1870, at Hamilton’s Police Station, by H W ROBINSON, Esq.,m R M & Coroner, on the body of Joseph SUMMERS , a miner aged 25, who was accidentally drowned by the upsetting of a punt in which he was sailing, on a water dam near Hamilton’s. Verdict accordingly.

An inquest was held, on the 10th December 1870, at Tait’s Bendigo Hotel Naseby, by H W ROBINSON, Esq., R M & Coroner, on the body of Arthur Brompton GORDON, a miner, aged 33, who was accidentally killed by a quantity of earth falling upon him while working in his claim at Naseby, the same day. Verdict accordingly.

An inquest was held, on the at the Courthouse, Blacks, on 15th December 1870, by Vincent PYKE, Esq., R M & Coroner, on the body of David BEWS, a miner, aged 65 , a native of the Orkney Islands, who was found dead in his hut, on the 13th December at Blacks. It appeared from evidence adduced that the deceased died from disease of the heart & lungs. Verdict accordingly.

An inquest was held, on the 16th December 1870, by Richard BEETHAM , Esq., R M & Coroner, at the store of Joseph BURLEY, Glenorchy, Lake Wakatipu, on the body of Chung SUNG, but known as “The Doctor” a miner, who was found dead, jammed between two logs of timber on the Buckle-burn Creek, on the 9th December. Verdict - accidental death.

1871

An inquest was held on 17th January 1871, at the Ancient Briton Hotel, Naseby, by H W ROBINSON, Esq., Coroner, on the body of Alexander McFarlane, aged 44, a miner, who died on that day from the effects of injuries received by a fall of earth, while mining at Naseby, on 3rd January. Verdict - Accidental death.

An inquest was held on 13th March 1871, at the Royal Hotel, Naseby, by H W ROBINSON, Esq., R M & Coroner, on the body of Ah SOON, a miner aged 30 yrs, whose body was found on that day, on the ranges about a mile from Naseby. Verdict - Died from natural causes, accelerated by exposure to the weather.

An inquest was held on 13th March 1871, at the Royal Hotel, Waikawa, by John N WOOD, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of Samuel WALKER, a miner aged 40 years, who cut his throat on the 8th March, during a fit of temporary insanity, induced by excessive drinking, from the effects of which he died on the 12th March. Verdict - Suicide, while labouring under temporary insanity.

An inquest was held on the 25th March 1871, at the Melbourne Hotel, Naseby, by H W ROBINSON, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of Margaret COGAN, aged 2 years who was drowned in a tail-race at Naseby on the 23rd March. Verdict - Accidentally drowned.

An inquest was held on the 27th March, 1871 at the Bendigo Hotel, Blacks, by Vincent PYKE, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of James HENDERSON, a sailor, aged 25 years, who was accidentally killed by a fall of earth while mining at Blacks, on the 24th March. Verdict accordingly.

An inquest was held on the 10th April 1871, at Powell’s Family Hotel, Queenstown, by R BEETHAM , Esq., R M & Coroner, on the body of John Roe PASCO, a miner aged 30 years, who was accidentally killed by getting entangled in a quartz-crushing machine at Skipper’s Point on the 8th March. Verdict accordingly.

An inquest was held on the 18th May 1871 at the store of Mr WAIN, Adams Flat, by John DEWE, Esq., Coroner, on the body of Thomas PAINTER, a miner, aged 35 years, whose body was found in a waterhole on the 16th May. Verdict - Found drowned.

An inquest was held on the 30th May 1871, at Orepuki, by Henry ROGERS, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of William McIntosh, a miner, aged 34 yrs, who was killed by a fall of earth while mining, at Operuki on the 27th May. Verdict - Accidentally killed.

An inquest was held on the 30th May 1871, by W L SIMPSON, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of Ching FOOY, a miner aged 40 years, who perished in a snow storm, near Wairori, on the 24th May. Verdict - Died from cold, and exposure in a snow storm.

An inquest was held on the 22nd June 1871, at Nobles Hotel, Tapanui, by W H S ROBERTS, Esq., J.P., on the body of James THOM, a miner, aged 22 years, who was killed by a fall of slate rock, while mining at scrubby Flat, Ardmore Station, on the 20th of the month. Verdict - Accidentally killed.

On the 31st July 1871, Edwin MCCULLOCH, a miner, who had been for a few days suffering from mental derangement, committed suicide by jumping into the Molyneux River, at Butcher’s Point, Dunstan district. The body has not yet been found, although a constant search has been made for it.

An inquest was held on 7th September 1871, at the Crown Hotel, Switzers, by J N WOOD, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of Thomas WHITE, a miner, aged 30 years, who was killed by a quantity of earth falling upon him while mining at Frenchman’s Hill, Switzers on that day. Verdict - Accidentally killed.

An inquest was held on the 13th September 1871, at the Court House, Queenstown, by R BEETHAM , Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of Ah FAN, a miner, aged 26 yrs, who died suddenly at Moke Creek on the previous day. Verdict - Died from disease of the heart.

An inquest was held on the 17th September 1871, at the Commercial Hotel, Tapanui, by A F MCKENZIE, Esq., J P, on the body of George CHING, a miner, aged 45 years, who was drowned in the Pomohaka River, on the 31st August 1871, by the capsizing of a punt in which he was crossing the river. Verdict - Accidentally drowned.

An inquest was held on the 18th September 1871, at the Taupeka Hotel, Lawrence, by Adam STUART, Esq., J P on the body of Ah TEE, a miner, aged 32 years, who was killed by a fall of earth, while mining at Taupeka Flat, on the 16th September. Verdict - Accidentally killed.

An inquest was held on the 23rd September 1871, at the Criterion Hotel, Alexandra, by Vincent PYKE, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of John FARLEY, a miner, aged 27 years, who was drowned in the Clutha River, near Mutton Town Point, on the 10th August 1871, while crossing the river in a small boat. Verdict - Accidentally drowned.

An inquest was held on the 2nd October 1871, at the Royal George Hotel, Lawrence, by W L SIMPSON,, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of Ah LEION, a miner aged 28 years, who died suddenly at Lawrence on the previous day. Verdict - Died from an apoplectic fit.

On the 10th October 1871, David PERKINS, a miner aged 35 years, was drowned by falling down a precipice, at Nevis Ferry, into the Clutha River, while in a state of intoxication. The body has not been found, although a search has been made for it.

An Inquest was held on the 18th October 1871, at the Melbourne Hotel, Naseby, by William GRUMMITT, Esq., J P., on the body of Malachi RYAN, a miner aged 33 years, who was killed on the previous day by a mass of earth falling upon him while mining at Surface Hill. Verdict - Accidently killed.

An inquest was held on the 30th November 1871, at Russel’s Hut, Dome Creek, by John N WOOD, Esq., on the body of Soi YONG, a miner, aged 40 years, who was found dead at Dome Creek on the 28th November. Verdict - Died from natural causes.

1872

An inquest was held on the 31st January 1872, at Clyde, by Vincent PYKE, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of Sin KEM, a miner, aged 32 years, who was found dead at Five Mile Creek, with his skull fractured, on the 28th January. Verdict - That the deceased was killed on the 28th January 1872, whilst collecting firewood at Five Mile Creek, but how he met his death there is no evidence to show.

An inquest was held on the 12th February 1872, at the Reliance Hotel, Otakia, by James FULLTON, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of Frank Manning, a miner aged 35 years, who was drowned in the Taieri River, near the Reliance Hotel, on the previous morning. Verdict - Found drowned.

An inquest was held on the 10th March 1872, at the Waikaka Hotel, Waikaka, by John Nugent WOOD, Esq., Coroner, on the body of HANNAGH, a miner, aged 28 years, who was found hung (hanged) by the neck with a stirrup leather from a beam in his hut at Waikaka on the 7th March. Verdict: Suffocated by strangulation while labouring under temporary insanity.

An inquest was held on the 16th March 1872, at the Ancient Briton Hotel, Naseby, by H W ROBINSON, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of Rasmus LARSEN, a miner, aged 35 years, who was killed by a quantity of earth falling upon him, while mining in Milkman’s Gully on that date. Verdict - Accidently killed.

An inquest was held on 13th May 1872, at the Wakatipu Hotel, Queenstown, by R BEETHAM, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of Thomas JONES, a miner, aged 40 years, who was killed by a fall of earth while working in a mining claim at Nine Mile Creek, on the 10th May. Verdict: Accidently killed.

An inquest was held on the 14th May 1872, at the Lunatic Asylum, Dunedin, by T M HOCKEN, Esq., Coroner, on the body of John HARRIS, a miner, aged 36 years, who died there the previous day. Verdict: Died from convulsions.

An inquest was held on the 4th June 1872, at the Mt Ida Hospital, Naseby, by H W ROBINSON, Esq., R M & Coroner, on the body of William PARK, a miner, aged 22 years, who was killed on that day by a quantity of earth falling upon him while mining at Naseby. Verdict - Accidently killed.

An inquest was held on the 26th June 1872, at Clyde, by E H CAREW, Esq., R. M., and Coroner, on the body of Patrick O’NEILL, a miner aged 40 years, who died suddenly there on the previous day. Verdict. - Died from natural causes

An inquest was held on the 27th June 1872, at the Hospital, Taupeka, by Vincent PYKE, Esq., R M & Coroner, on the body of Chow PETT, a miner aged 26 years, who died there the previous day. Verdict - Died from disease of the lungs.

An inquest was held on the 9th July 1872 at the Sons of Freedom Hotel,Switzers, by J N WOOD, Esq., R M & Coroner, on the body of William ARTINGSTALL, a miner aged 37 years, who was killed by a mass of earth falling upon him while mining at Switzers, on the 27th May 1872. Verdict - Accidently killed.

An inquest was held on the 10th July 1872, at the Golden Age Hotel, Waitahuna, by Vincent PYKE, Esq., R M & Coroner, on the body of James BROWN, a miner, aged 47 years, who fell into a water race at Manuka Hill, on the 4th July 1872, while in a state of intoxication, and thus perished. Verdict- Died from exposure.

An inquest was held on the 10th July 1872, at the Royal mail Hotel, Hyde, by W J GRUMMITT, Esq., J P., on the body of Thomas STEWART, a miner, aged 34 years, who lost his way between Hyde and the Taieri Lake Station on the night of the 6th July 1872, while conveying the mail there, and was found lying in an insensible state near Hyde on the 8th July and had died on the same day. Verdict - Died from want of food and exposure to cold.

An inquest was held on the 26th July 1872, at Clyde, by E H CAREW, Esq., R M & Coroner, on the body of Patrick O’NEILL, a miner, aged 40 years, who died suddenly there on the previous day. Verdict- Died from natural causes.

An inqust was held on the 4th September 1872, at Utting’s Miners Right Hotel, Switzers, by J N WOOD, Esq., R.M., and Coroner, on the body of Ah Quon, a miner aged 58 years, who fell dead while prospecting for gold at Switzers on that day. Verdict.- Died from disease of the heart.

An inquest was held on the 6th September 1872, at the Masonic Hotel Lawrence, by Vincent PYKE, Esq., R.M., on the body of Ah QUAY, a miner aged 38 years, who was found dead at Lammerlaw Range, on the 3rd September. Deceased left his hut near Lammerlaw, on the 10th August, to prospect for gold on the Lammerlaw Range, and it is supposed he lost his way in a snow storm, and thus perished. Verdict.- That deceased, on or about the 10th August, perished from exposure, exhaustion, and suffocation.

An inquest was held on the 6th September 1872, at the Bendigo Hotel Naseby, by H W ROBINSON, Esq., R.M, and Coroner, on the body of Ah KEM, a miner, aged 37 years, who was killed while mining at Naseby the previous day, by a quantity of earth falling upon him. Verdict.- Accidentally killed.

An inquest was held on the 13th October 1872, at the Royal Mail Hotel, Hyde, by H W ROBINSON, Esq., R.M., and Coroner, on the body of William WALLACE, a miner, aged 42 years, who was killed by a fall of earth while mining at Fireman’s Hill, Hyde, on the 11th October. Verdict.- Accidentally killed.

An inquest was held on the 26th October 1872, at the Court House, Macraes, by H W ROBINSON, Esq., R.M., and Coroner, on the body of Ah YEEN, a miner aged 47 years, who was found dead in his tent at Peet Gully, Macraes, on the previous day. Verdict.- Died by the visitation of God.

An inquest was held on the 24th October 1872, at the Shamrock Hotel, Nevis, by E H CAREW, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of John McDONALD, a miner, aged 34 years, whose body was found in the Nevis River on the 22nd of October, and who, it is supposed was drowned while fording that river when in a flooded state on the 14th of that month. Verdict - Found drowned.

An inquest was held on the 9th November 1872, at the Melbourne Hotel, Naseby, by H W ROBINSON, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of William BARDSLEY, a miner, aged 60 years, who was killed by a fall of earth while mining at Surface Hill, Naseby, on that day. Verdict - Accidentally killed.

An inquest was held on the 13th November 1872, at the Golden Age Hotel, Cardrona, on the body of AH CHEW, a miner, aged 21 years, who was found hung (sic) by the neck with a rope from the rafter of his hut at Six Mile Creek, near Cardrona, on that day. Verdict - That deceased committed suicide by hanging himself, while in a state of temporary insanity. Note: The name of the Coroner was not stated in the report.

An inquest was held on 2nd December 1872, at the Ballarat Hotel Naseby, by H W ROBINSON, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of Thomas TURNER, a miner aged 38 years, who died at Hogburn Creek the previous day , from the effects of injuries sustained by a fall from a horse which he was riding there on that day. Verdict - Accidental death.

An inquest was held on the 12th December 1872, at the Royal George Hotel Lawrence, by Vincent PYKE, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of William CASEY, a miner aged 72 years, who was found dead in a water race at the Blue Spur, near Lawrence, on the 10th December. Verdict - Found drowned.

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