Tragedy at Muhunoa East

In 1905, Mr. R.A. Rolston acquired a property of some 66 acres joining his farm at the back on the north side from Mr. Russell, who had leased it from the Government, the rent being 2/7½d. per acre and was what was known as a perpetual lease of 999 years duration.

The land was in standing bush and unroaded.

Mr. Russell built a four-roomed house at the west end for himself and family, the only access to the property was through my father’s property, being an obligement by mutual consent. Mr Russell had also felled about half of the bush when he sold the good-will to my father for £150, who later was able to buy the freehold from the Government. My father then let the contract of felling the rest of the bush to Mr. C. Randall (my uncle by marriage), who was a splendid axe-man and had won many championships in chopping matches in New Zealand. Mr. Randall engaged my two uncles Robert and Fred Whiley to do the work.

A young man by the name of Walter Jukes who had only left school a short time before was engaged as their cook.

One afternoon he, having a little time on his hands, took his axe and gave a hand at the felling, when about 4 o’clock he was struck down by a tree he was felling and died about 5 o’clock the next morning without regaining consciousness.

His death took place on 30^th August, 1905, at the age of 16 years and 10 months and his early demise cast a gloom over the community for many days. Thus was a young life cut off without any warning and reminding us of the uncertainty and brevity of life. This young man sat in the same desk with the writer at school up till the time that he left in 1904, and also met him on the road to work as he was going to school on the morning of the day of the accident. The funeral was a large one, the people driving with horse and trap; the hearse was drawn by two horses, the bearers wore top hats (known as “bell toppers” with a band of black crepe around them and a short double piece hanging down about 6 inches at the back); the mourners wore a piece of black crepe about 3 inches wide around the upper left arm and the women mourners usually wore a black dress and hat.

The afternoon of the funeral proved to be very wet with a thunderstorm raging all the way to the cemetery. A gloomy day indeed.

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