Biography

At the enquiry into the circumstances of Mr Gardiner's death, it was revealed that the deceased was working at the Barrambie Gold Mine when he fell out of the bosun's chair while being raised up the shaft. Gardiner had descended the shaft to effect some repairs to the pump. In about ten minutes had signalled to be raised to the surface, and when about 40ft. from the surface, he fell from the boatswain's chair, in which he was seated. A man named Krug immediately descended the shaft and shortly afterwards informed witness he had found Gardiner's apparently lifeless body at the bottom. The jury returned a verdict that be deceased met his death by falling out of a boatswain's chair whilst being raised to the surface ; also that they were of the opinion that, had the manager's instructions regarding the body strap been complied with, the accident might not have occurred. The jury added a rider that they were of the opinion that the shaft where the accident occurred was too hot to work in. The jury also expressed the opinion that the action of Conrad Krug in rescuing the body of the deceased from the shaft after the accident, was worthy of the highest appreciation. He is buried at Barrambie Cemetery, at the Barrambie mine site north of Sandstone on Cogla Downs Station, about 70 metres from the Meekatharra to Sandstone Road. He was buried by Christopher Hanlon. He is also believed to have been the stepson of Joanna Gardiner of Schafer Street Leederville, wife of Joseph Francis Gardiner, Broome, and had a brother named Peter Joseph Gardiner, of Cossack.