Serious Accident in Albertstreet.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1621, 24 April 1875, Page 2

Serious Accident in Albertstreet.

Shameful Neglect to Inform the Sufferer's Wife-

We learn that a very serious accident occurred at the cutting in Albert-street on Thursday afternoon about three o'clock. A labouring man named William Metcalfe was engaged working below the hill when two masses of earth in succession fell on him, the first knocking him down and the second burying him so completely that it took his mates half-an-hour to dig him out. When the earth was cleared away, the unfortunate man was found to be in a perfectly unconscious condition. A doctor was at once sent for, and he ordered the sufferer to the hospital, where he was accordingly removed. Upon examination by Dr. Philson, it was found that the thigh bone was broken close to his body, that his back and head were much contused, and he was suffering from internal injuries, so serious that his case is a most precarious one. But a singular feature in connection with this accident is the neglect to inform Metcalfe's wife of the occurrence until hours after it had occurred. Mrs Metcalfe, who lives in a cottage in Drake-street, just opposite Hough's store, and consequently near to the works whex'e her husband was hurt, first received intimation of the accident by a number of men bringing home the whole of her husband's clothes from the hospital at nine o'clock at night. She had made his tea as usual, and remained in a state of suspense at his non-arrival until startled by the information of his misfortune, communicated in the way stated, and at a time when it was too late for her to see her husband that night. We hardly know how to characterise this cruel neglect which is doubly shameful because the lot of poor Metcalfe may any

day be the fate of those mates who shewed such a disregard for those connected with the unfortunate (man as is not only manifested by their behaviour towards hia wife, already mentioned, but also by the fact that no one has called since to say a kindly word to her or lend her a helping hand in distress. She fe entirely without means, as they are recent arrivals, and her husband had been some ti/Se out of employment before getting his Jastjflb, and she is in |indifferent health. TheyiMj* one son, who earns 10s. a week at MessiSreSrown and Barrett's. We hope the contractor, and men engaged on the work will start a subscription on her behalf among themselves. Under the most favorable circumstances, Metcalfe cannot be about again for three months, and the case is one having special claims on those who are in daily peril of similar misfortune.