Accidents, Inquests. &c.
Star , Issue 5767, 4 November 1886, Page 4
About this newspaper
Accidents, Inquests. &c.
A boy, fifteen years old, named Forsyth, vrhen playing cricket on Tuesday evening, was knocked on the head with the ball, which he was attempting to patch, and rendered insen&ible for a few minutes. On Tuesday last, a three-year-old daughter of Mr Thoma3 Brownlee, residing in Hororata, had a narrow escape from instant d^ath. Mr Brownlee was engaged in loading a dray with soil, and the child was playing with a large dog beside him. It appears that the dog leapt upon the child' and threw her under the wheel at the moment the horse moved on. The wheel grazed her head, inflicting a severe scalp wound. Dr Richards was promptly on the spot, and attended the little suf, ferer, who is progressing favourably. INQUEST AT WADDINGTON. On Wednesday, an inquest was held at Pinegrove (Waddington) on the body of the lad William Donald M'lntosh (who was killed through, being dragged by a horse), before Mr Whitefoord and a jury of six, of whom Mr Pengelly was chosen foreman. James M'lntosh, the father of deceased, eaid deceased was nine years and sis months old. On Sunday, Oct. 31, he was returning from church, and. was met by deceased, who asked to be allowed to ride the horse. Put deceased on the horse and walked alongside for several yards. Deceased dug hia heels mfc the "oree and made it trot. Did not att^ mpt I>> stop him as the horse waa quiet, wad hi vas only about a hundred yards from the gate. Deceased tried to pull up, but the horse broke into a slow canter. Deceased pulled the off rein, which, caused the horee to go towards the ditch. He then pulled the near rein, and the horse turned suddenly, and deceased swerved suddenly to the off side. Tiicd to get alongside, but before he could do so, deceased Blipped over and dropped to the ground, hia right foot remaining a tuck in the ttirrup leather. The horse tht-a bolted, and when it passed the gate he saw the saddle turn under its belly, and decea?ed was dragged under the horse's heels. About 23 yards past the gate tha eaddle parted frora the horse. On reaching deceased, he (Dl'lnto3h) found him lying face downwards. Lifted deceased up and epoke to him, but though breathing strongly he appeared insensible. Carried deceased to the house, and told his wife what had occurred. Eecaught the liorse, and on examining the Baddle found the girth broken. Immediately rode for the doctor. On coming back went to look at deceased, and he appeared to be dead. The doctor arrived about 15 minute 3 after, and said life was extinct. The horse was a quiet one, and deceased was in the habit of riding it. Had often placed three children on its back. Henry F. Meadows deposed he was called on Sunday laßt to see deceased, about halfpast one. On arrival at Pinegrove found deceased lying on the bed, and on examination found him pulseless. The body was still waim, death having recently taken place. Made a cursory examination of the body, and found it had several contusions. The face was cut in one or two places, and there was a lacge wound under the chin. The injuries might have been caused by an accident such aa the father describes. Think that death was caused by fracture of the base of the Bkull. The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death," and added a iider that no blame could be attached to any one.
[Pee Pbess Association.J A CHILD'S DEATH BY STARVATION. INVERCARGILL, Nov. 3. An inquest was held to-day on the body of a four months' infant aon of Arthur Kußsellj a gardener residing in South Ihveruargill, who was alleged to have died from starvation. Witnesses deposed that the mother was scarcely ever sober, I and that she had left the child locked j up in the house alone for houra together, j The medical evidence went to show that the infant had been starved, there being no organic disease to account for death. The body weighed 51b 12oz. The doctor by whom the child was shown by his mother stated that he told her the child was not getting sufficient nourishment, and gave instructions for proper food to be given. The mother stated that she gave the child all it would take, and that it rejected the food ordered by the doctor, and had diarrhoea after it. She had applied to th" Charitable Aid Board for help, but her complaint at the office was chiefly that lur husband had deserted j her. She was toJd to call when the Board j was sitting, but did not attend, and was j intoxicated when she made the application. The jury returned a verdict to the affect that the child had died from starvation, but they could not ssy who was to blame, it not being clear that the husband had not supplied funds for the maintenance of the child. The woman seemed always to have money to spend on drink, and it was proved that she had bought several quantities of milk, but not continually. At Melbourne, it is reported that bodies lying in the morgue are daily devoured by rats owing to the neglect of the authorities to provide wire covers.
