Oliver WAKEFIELD [1927]

   Cause of his death was run over by a tram.

  General Notes:

Oliver's death received a great deal of publicity.

  Other Records

1. Oliver Wakefield: Will, 19 Feb1878, with codicil 17 Sep 1881.
This is the last Will and Testament of me, Oliver Wakefield, of Wellington, in the Province of Wellington, New Zealand, an officer in the Public Service. After payment of all my just debts, funeral and testamentary expenses, I give, devise, and bequeath unto my sister Josephine Wakefield, spinster, now in England, and unto my brother Edward Wakefield, journalist, of Timaru, Canterbury, and unto my brother Percy Wakefield, now in Australia, and unto my brother-in-law, the Rev A. D'Arblay Burney, of Witham Friary, Somersetshire, England, to be equally divided between them, all my real and personal estate whatsoever including any share in the property known as the Wakefield Trust Estate, my Government Insurance Policy of L500 and all my clothing, jewellery, and all other things belonging to me: excepting L400 to be forwarded to my brother Murat Wakefield, of Adelaide, and L100 to be given to the Trustees of the Wellington Benevolent Society, as an endowment for the benefit of that institution.
And I hereby appoint Edward Wakefield, of Timaru, journalist, and Alexander James McTavish, of Messes Krull and Company Wellington, or the survivors of them, Executors of this my Will.
As witness my hand this nineteenth day of February, one thousand eight hundred and seventy eight.
Oliver Wakefield
Signed by Oliver Wakefield the testator, as and for his last Will and Testament, in the presence of us, who in his presence at his request, and in the presence of each other, have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses.
Thomas Rose Inspector of Post Offices.
JW Horton Chief Clerk General Post Office.
Codicil.
My brother in law A. D'Arblay Burney having died on 16 July last, I give, devise, and bequeath unto his widow (my sister) Constance Burney the share of my property which would have gone to her husband.
As witness my hand this 17th day of September, one thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
Oliver Wakefield
Signed Oliver Wakefield the testator in the presence of us, who in his presence, at his request, and in the presence of each other have here unto subscribed our names as witnesses.
R.S. Fountain Under Secretary Wellington
C.J.S. Hasilden. Register of Patents, Wellington New Zealand.

2. Oliver Wakefield: Will,: Probate with codicil 28 Mar 1884.

3. Oliver Wakefield: Accidental death, 20 Mar 1884, Dunedin Otago NZ.
The Death of Mr Oliver Wakefield
Full Particulars.
[by telegraph own correspondent.]
Dunedin, Friday.
A few minutes before three o'clock the steam motor, with car attached, was proceeding at ordinary rate along Princess street between the Criterion Hotel and Octagon, when it suddenly came to a standstill, exactly opposite the "Morning Herald" office. A. C. Kimball, who was standing on the back platform, jumped out to ascertain the cause, and beheld the body of a man lying at the back of the front wheel of the engine. The engine driver (Peter Sack) and some persons who had observed the accident, extricated the body. On being raised, Mr Wakefield told Mr Kimball who he was, and asked for Mr Larnach, and said the papers on him would give all necessary information. The driver and Mr Larnach at once telegraphed to Judge Ward, and also communicated with Mr E. Wakefield at Timaru. Drs. Maunsell and Scott amputated both legs, but from the first it was seen to be a hopeless case. A few minutes before his death he once more regained consciousness, and recognising Messrs Larnach, Elliott, and other friends who were present, he addressed few words to them, and then passed away in peace. An onlookor named David B. Lister, who was present when the accident occurred, stated that the unfortunate gentleman was crossing from the "Morning Herald" office towards the establishment of Herbert Haynes & Co,, when the affair happened, When in the centre of the road, Mr Wakefield observed an express and the steam motor close upon him. The express was in front of the train, and the engine, driver whistled in order to apprise the express-man of his dungcr. The latter twisted his horse aside, and Mr Wakefield in trying to escape the express ran between the rails, and dropped down as if overtaken by nervous excitement in front of the engine. Tho driver, observing him, shut off steam as quickly as possible, but the front wheel - passed across tho victim's thighs before the engine came to a stop. Mr Lister states that the driver acted with commendable promptitude, He also states that when Mr Wakefield was extricated, he opened his eyes and exclaimed in a feeble voice, "Oh ! Why didn't you stop." At tho request of the member for Selwyn, the inquest was adjourned till Saturday.
Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 4320, 22 March 1884, Page 2

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 98, 21 March 1884, Page 3
Fatal Accident.
Mr Oliver Wakefield Killed
(BY TELEGRAPH.) (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.)
Dunedin, March 20.
Mr Oliver Wakefield (Under-Secretary for Goldfields), who was on his way from Wellington to Melbourne by the Waihora, was killed to day by a steam tram motor in Princes street today. He was crossing the street, and in trying to avoid an express waggon, was strnck by the tram engine and knocked down. The front wheel ran over him, but the engine was stopped, before the front-wheels (sic) could touch him. He was taken to the hospital, in an unconscious state, and there, it was found that both his thigh bones were severed, and that he had received a severe scalp wound. He is a brother of Mr E. Wakefield, M.H.R., and Mr Wakefield has been sent for to come to Dunedin. The doctor amputated both his legs, and he lived a very short, time afterwards. Four doctors performed the operation. It was not for a moment believed that his life could be saved, but it was the only chance,as the thigh bones wene severed, He was sensible after the operation, and spoke to his acquaintances present, but he only lived about half an hour. The doctors remained with him till be died. He was going on a visit to Melbourne on leave. The news of the accident has caused a shock m the city. Ref: Papers Plus

Bay Of Plenty Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1664, 22 March 1884, Page 3
DUNEDIN
Friday. Mr Oliver Wakefield, Under-Secretary for Goldfields, was run over by a steam tram motor, and had both thigh bones severed. Both legs were amputated at the Hospital, but death ensued shortly after. Ref: Papers Past

Marlborough Express, Volume XX, Issue 67, 21 March 1884, Page 2
MR OLIVER WAKEFIELD KILLED BY A TRAM ENGINE.
[United Press Association.] Dunedin, March 21.
Mr Oliver Wakefield, Under-Secretary for Goldfields, who was on his way from Wellington to Melbourne, was killed by a steam tram motor in Princes street yesterday. He was crossing the street, and in trying to avoid an express waggon was struck by a tram engine and knocked down. The front wheels ran over him, but the engine was stopped bofore tho back wheels could reach him. He was taken to the Hospital in an unconsoious state, where it was found that both thigh bones were severed, and that he had sustained a severe scalp wound. He recovered consciousness at the Hospital, In the Hospital the doctor amputated both legs, and he lived a very short time afterwards. He is brother of E.Wakefield, M.H.R. In connection with the death of Mr Wakefield, it is not known whother the tram knocked him down, or whether he got confused and fell. Some persons on the pavement who saw the occurrence believe that he lost his nerve and fell before it struck him. Ref: Papers Past

THE COLONIST. PUBLISHED DAILY NELSON, SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 1884.
A very shocking accident has occurred at Dunedin, resulting in the death of Mr Oliver Wakefield, the Under-Seeretary for Goldfields, and brother of Mr E. Wakefield, M.H.E.
Whilst walking in Princess street he tried to get out of the way of an express waggon, when he fell across the tramway, the steam motor of which ran over him, mangling both his thighs, and inflicting besides a severe scalp wound. He only lived half an hour after his legs were amputated. Deceased was passing through Dunedin at the time of the accident, on his way to Adelaide, in order to pay a visit to his brother, Mr Salvator Wakefield. He had held the office of Under Secretary for Goldfields for four years. Some years ago deceased resided with his father, Mr Felix Wakefield, in Nelson. The news of the accident caused a shock wherever deceased was known. Ref: Papers Past

Star , Issue 4959, 25 March 1884, Page 3
Speaking of the late Under-Secretary of Mines, whose unfortunate death at Dunedin was recorded last week, the Timaru, Herald (the very best authority on the subject, of course) says Mr Wakefield was on his way to Melbourne and Adelaide, having obtained some six weeks' leave of absence. His intention was to visit his eldest brother, Mr Salvator Wakefield, who lives at Adelaide. He was about 40 years of age, and was born in Launceston, Tasmania. His father, Mr Felix Wakefield, and family subsequently went Home, but came out to New Zealand in the Sir George Pollock, in 1851. The deceased gentleman had resided in Wellington for many years past, occupying various responsible official positions. He was appointed Under-Secretary for Mines about four years ago, and since then has travelled over a great portion of the Colony.
Ref: Papers Past

Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 69, 21 March 1884, Page 2
The Late Mr. Oliver Wakefield.
A very painful sensation was created in this city last night by the arrival of the shocking intelligence that Mr. Oliver Wakefield, the popular Under-Secretary for Goldfields, had just met with a sudden and dreadful death in Dunedin, having been run over by a tram-engine and so frightfully mutilated, that he expired within a few hours. Full particulars of the terrible occurrence are given in our telegrams in another column. The details are peculiarly harrowing. It appears that Mr. Wakefield having had no holiday of any length for seven years past, found himself suffering from nervous exhaustion and need of rest and change. He accordingly obtained six weeks' leave of absence, and left by the SS. Waihora last Monday for Australia., intending to visit Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide, returning to Wellington by way of Auokland. It was while he was paying a passing visit to Dnnedin that the fatal catastrophe took place. Mr. Oliver Wakefield was about 40 years of age, and was unmarried. He was a son of the late Mr. Felix Wakefield, and came out with his father and family to Nelson many years ago. His first inclination was, we believe, to station life, but on trying the experiment this did not suit his tastes, and he subsequently obtained an appointment in the Nelson branch of the Bank of New Zealand. He held this position until March, 1867, when he joined the Civil Service as a clerk in the Audit Department. On the establishment of the Stamp Office, Mr. Wakefield was promoted to a higher position in that department, and afterward received further promotion on his transfer to the Department of Crown Lands. In 1876, he went Home on a year's leave of absence, and on his return to the colony in 1877, the new Department of Goldfields having been created on the abolition of Provincialism, Mr. Wakefield became its permanent head as Under-Secretary for Goldfields, to which was added later the fresh sub-department of Mines. On one occasion he entertained some thought of taking up the Press as a profession, being a facile and forcible writer, but he doubted his health and nerves standing the constant strain of Press work, and soon abandoned the idea. He joined the Star Boating Club in 1871, and has been a prominent member ever since. Formerly he took an active personal part in the club's racing affairs, and he was one of its trustees at the time of his death, his co-trustees being Mr. Edward Pearce and Mr. H. D. Bell. In his official capacity he was a most able and active officer, while his high moral character and unblemished life presented a valuable example to his brother officers, by whom he was greatly beloved, and among whom his influence was widely exercised for good. He had a large circle of private friends in Wellington to whom the sad news of his dreadful death was a very painful shock. Mr. Wakefield seems to have had a strange presentiment that ill would befall him on his trip. Just before leaving, when taking leave of one particularly intimate friend he expressed a misgiving that he should never see them again, and he was affected even to tears. He also made his will before leaving, and left careful directions about some property he possessed. On the other hand, however, it should be mentioned that he was always subject to similar nervous depression before starting on a journey, and on this occasion, just before leaving, he consulted a friend as to some steps he purposed taking on his return to Wellington with reference to the investment of some money he had lying idle. He was in very comfortable worldly circumstances. It may be added that he was a nephew of the celebrated Edward Gibbon Wakefield, and a brother of the present member for Selwyn.
Ref: Papers Past

Bay Of Plenty Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1665, 25 March 1884, Page 3
At the inquest on the body of Mr Oliver Wakefield the jury added a rider condemnatory of steam motors for tramways. Ref: Papers Past

Grey River Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 4879, 15 May 1884, Page 2
AN ENDOWMENT.
The late Oliver Wakefield, who was killed by a tram accident in Dunedin recently, had bequeathed L92 as an endowment for the benefit of the Benevolent Institution.
Ref: Papers Past

4. Oliver Wakefield accidental death: Proceedings of the Coroners Court (Part), 21 Mar 1884, Dunedin Otago NZ.

5. Oliver Wakefield accidental death: Proceedings of the Coroners Court (Part), 21 Mar 1884, Dunedin Otago NZ.
Page 2 the Jury.