Edward ROGERS met with a nasty accident, his wife was alone a long time.

In loving memory of Edward
Beloved husband of Minnie ROGERS
Who died from injuries 18th Nov. 1905
Aged 45 years.

Also buried in plot but not on headstone
Mary (Minnie) ROGERS, wife of Edward
Died 27 April 1926 aged 60. [6]

Oneils Point Row E Plot 37

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 274, 16 November 1905, Page 4
“Upon inquiry at the Hospital this afternoon Edward ROGERS, who was crushed between two buses at Devonport on Monday night, sustaining injury to his ribs and head, was reported to be progressing satisfactorily. [1]

Evening Star , Issue 12664, 18 November 1905, Page 6
“…jammed between two buses at Devonport on Monday, died in the hospital to-day. The deceased leaves a wife and three children.” [2]

Edward was the foreman at Devonport for Messrs. Paterson and Company. The accident happened at the Victoria Wharf.[3]

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13029, 21 November 1905, Page 7
INQUEST ON EDWARD ROGERS.
The city coroner (Mr. T. Gresham), with a jury of six, held an inquest at the hospital yesterday upon the body of Edward Rogers, who died at the hospital on Saturday from the result of injuries received at North Shore on Monday, the 13th.

Mr. F. Earl appeared on behalf of the widow; Mr. McVeagh on behalf of Messrs. Paterson and Co., 'bus proprietors; and Mr. Devore watched proceedings on behalf of the Devonport Borough Council.

Dr. Laing said he was called in, to see Rogers on the 13th. He complained of being covered with bruises, and was pale. He could see the man was dangerously hurt, but he would not be removed to the hospital until the 15th. The post-mortem held on the previous day revealed that the man had died of laceration of the kidneys. It would be a blow that caused it. A kick from one of the horses would have caused it, but that would have, left an external mark, while there was nothing but a scratch to be seen. The laceration and rupture were quite recent, and presumably the result of violence happening shortly before he (the doctor) saw the deceased.

To Mr. Earl: The deceased had told him that the water had been turned on suddenly by the firemen and without warning, and the horses bolted. Apart from injuries to the kidneys, there was nothing in the deceased's general condition of health to account for his death.

John Thomas McEwin, a resident of Devonport, identified the body as that of Edward Rogers, aged about 45. He had known the deceased for about 12 years.

In answer to Sergeant Carroll, the witness said that a few minutes after eight o'clock he was in front of the 'bus stand. There were two reels and a ladder and a couple of barrows belonging to the fire brigade. There were several lights on these. Close to the door of the hotel by which he was standing was a hydrant with a meter attached to it. The brigade were standing round, apparently in charge of these appliances. After he had been there about 10 minutes the captain of the brigade blew his whistle. Two reels were then taken off by the men. One reel went up the street and the other down the street a few yards. One of the reels would be about 50ft from the horses' heads. Two of the reels then started to play and spurt the water. He (witness) expected that sooner or later the water would be made to play. He, however, did not hear any warning before it did play; neither was he astonished at the hydrants playing after the captain had blown his whistle. Simultaneously the hydrant nearest the 'buses was turned on, and the water came out with a rush. The horses in the 'bus nearest to the dock side darted forward, and after going a couple of lengths wheeled towards the triangle fence and across the heads of the other vehicles. He next saw the other 'bus move round, and then he noticed a man under the last-mentioned 'bus. With the assistance of some firemen they pulled the man from under the 'bus. The first words the man said, addressing the brigade, were, You chaps are to blame for thus; you ought to have warned up." The water could not have played on the horses. They might, however, have received the spray.

To Mr. Devore: He did not see or hear the captain give the 'busmen a warning.

To-Mr. Earl: The flow of water; was about 40ft- to 45ft from the horses' heads.

Dr. W. D. Ferguson said the deceased was admitted to the hospital on the morning of the 15th. He was then suffering from shock, and complained of pain in the left side of the chest. His condition became gradually worse, and he died at halfpast eight a.m. on the 18th inst. The cause of death laceration of the kidneys, .two fractured ribs set up a pneumonic condition.

John Regan, 'bus driver for Paterson and Co., said that on the day in question he was on the 'bus stand. Rogers just prior to the accident was standing by him (witness), between a waggonette and witness' 'bus. Witness went round to open the door of his 'bus. He heard Rogers call out, "Look out!" Simultaneously Parsons' 'bus swung in to witness' 'bus, which then swung in towards the wagonette. Rogers rushed to the reins of witness' horses and caught hold of them. The horses then swung further into the waggonette and took Rogers with them. They were tangled there for a time. Then the waggonette pulled away, and Rogers fell before the wheel of witness' 'bus and underneath it. Witness and others released Rogers from the wheel. The inquest was then adjourned until this morning at ten o'clock. [4]

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13030, 22 November 1905, Page 6
The jury, after retiring for some time, brought in the following verdict:—
"The cause of death was laceration of the kidneys caused by the deceased being accidentally crushed as a result of an accidental frightening of horses by a display of water by the Devonport Fire Brigade, and that the said Edward Rogers came by his death by accident and misfortune."

'The jury added the following rider:
"That on future occasions warning should be given to the public before the hydrants are let loose. At a meeting of the Devonport Borough Council, held last night, it was resolved on the motion of Mr. E. G. Ford, "That a letter be sent to Mrs. Rogers and family conveying the Council's profound sympathy in the loss which she has sustained in the death of her husband[5]

Private William Edward ROGERS 13/3071, 2nd Battalion Auckland Regiment, WW1, son of Edwardand his wife Mary (in this grave) died of wounds on 15 November 1916, France aged 23 years.
Memorial card for William (scroll to bottom of page when link open for more items) see comments section
www.aucklandmuseum.com/collection/object/am_humanhistory-...

Williams Cenotaph Database record:
www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/recor...

SOURCES:
[1]
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=s...
[2]
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=s...
[3]
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=s...
[4]
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=s...
[5]
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=s...
[6]
Auckland Council cemeteries database search page; www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/parksfacilities/cemeteries...

Taken on: May 8, 2016

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8 may 2016

edward rogers

william edward rogers

paterson and company

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early auckland fire brigade

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Sets appears in: • O'Neills Point (Devonport) Cemetery

Groups appears in: • New Zealand History

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