CASUALTIES.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13614, 24 December 1909, Page 11

CASUALTIES.

INQUEST. At the morgue yesterday, Mr H. W. Bishop, Coronor, held an inquest concerning the death of George Cousins, do years of who was killed by a rail of earth at Cooksley's brickworks on >\ednesdav.

Pr Flesher watched proceedings on behalf of deceased's widow. Henry Cooksley, eniployed'at the brickworks where the fatality occurred, stated that on Wednesday, 'about 4.30 p.m., Cousins was undermining for a fall of clay. Tlie face was no more than twelve feet, and was perpendicular. Cousins was workin_; alone at the time. He had been doing undermining work ever since he went to work at the quarry four years ago. Witness heard a rumbling noise, and sawCousins running. Witness called for help, and ran to his assistance. He found Cousins partly covered, with his right shoulder and head out. He was conscious, and witness immediately unearthed him. The injured man was conveyed to the Hospital about 5.45 p.m., in the ambulance, but died on tbo way there. He complained of pain m the hips. AVhen he was unearthed there was a large lump of clay of about 2. cwt. lying in front of him, which had possibly struck him. Cousins had a free hand at undermining, and no one superintended the work. To Mr Flesher: Witness did not think it was necessary to superintend the work. It had never been the practice to keep watch. Dr. David Steven, assistant 'house surgeon at the Hospital, said that Cousins was dead when the ambulance arrived at the Hospital. Death had nrobablv resulted from internal injuries. There was a bruise on the right side of his body, and his clothes were covered with clay.

The Coroner returned a verdict of 'Accidental death," due to injuries received as the result of a fall of clay.

An inquest was held at the Ashburton Courthouse on AVednesdav afternoon, before Mr V. G. Day, Coroner, regarding the death of James Hartigan, an elderly man, who had been found dead m a hut at Trevorton. The evidence went to show that Hartigan had last been seen aiive on Saturday. There were no marks of violence on the body. A post mortem pointed to death having been due to heart failure, and a verdict was returned to this effect. A man named John Hull, twenty-five years of age, -who was brought to the Christchurch Hospital from Rangiora on Monday, died at the institution yesterday. As the ca,use of death has not been clearly established, an inquest will be held: to-day.

(press association telegrams.') AUCKLAND, December 22. The yacht Stormbird came into collision with a scow while tho latter was being towed by tho steamer Glenelg in the harbour last night. The yacht sank, and two of her crew, Gattanach and Passmore, were carried down in the sails, but came to the surface, and after swimming for ten minutes were picked up by the Glenelg's boat.

DUNEDIN. December 22. Mrs Mary McKendry, aged 44 years was injured internally on Monday at Highchff through a trap capsizing. She was removed to the hospital, where she died this morning. T , _' GORE. December 22. John Morrison, a farm labourer, 60 years of age, died at work near Riversdale last evening of heart failure.