Biography

The deceased was in charge of a team until his death, having apparently stopped them and got out of the dray. His body was found only a few yards off the track and his team was standing on the road. Police Constable Hugh Hattie (Regimental No 117), of Bamboo Creek, proceeded to the place. On examining the body, he could find no marks of violence or the appearance of a struggle. Hayes, lately employed, by C. Farwig, was found dead on the road to his camp at the Eight-mile creek. He came Into Bamboo Creek with a load of firewood, and then complained of feeling unwell, but started out for his camp, and two hours afterwards, his lifeless body was found a few feet off the road, heat apoplexy being the supposed cause of death. An inquest was heard before Herbert P Pearse, JP, Acting Coroner. John Jardine, a cousin of Hayes, defrayed all costs.