CASUALTIES.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 14288, 26 February 1912, Page 8

CASUALTIES.

INQUEST AT HOSPITAL.

An inquest regarding the death _of Jobn Nicoll was held at the Hospital on Saturday evening, before Mr H. W. coroner. The* evidence showed that Nicoll was brought .to the Hospital oil February 21st in an unconscious condition by a friend at whose place he had been allowed to stay for a few days before he became ill. He was about 59 years old, and was a dyer by trade. He had been drinking recently. He 6aid he had got a cut on the head by falling on the pavement. Dr. AY. S. Robertson, house surgeon, said Nicolls had a scalp wound on the back of his head. He did not- recover consciousness, and died at 10.30 p.m. on February 22nd. A post mortem examination revealed no indentation of tho skull, and the scalp wound penetrated only the nrst v two layers. There was a considerable amount of pus Bpread over the surface of the brain. The cause of death was septic meningitis. Tho Coroner returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

A young man named Thomas AleGrath was injured in a collision befcwee a two motor bicycles in Manchester street on Saturday. He was taken to the Hospital, where he is under observation for a supposed fracture of the skull. His condition -was reported to bo better yesterday.

Michael O'Brien, employed in the Telegraph Department's yard m Hereford street, was loading poles on Saturday, when ono fell on him and fractured his thigh. Hβ was .taken to tho Hospital.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION' TELEGE'aM.)

WHANGAREI. February 24. Joseph Rule, labourer, about sixty years, . committed suicide yesterday afternoon at Grahamstown. He was found by his son hanging dead from a strap which ho had fastened to a pcs in. tho wall.

ASHBURTON, February 23. An inquest was held to-day "at the Ashbtirton Courthouse, before Mr V. G. Day, S.M., touching the death of Matthew Laffey, a farm contractor, and a widower with fivo children, who" was thrown out of his trap on Monday evening whilo driving with his brother John on the Southeast Belt, Ashburton. From the evidence given it appeared that tho brother, before leaving Tinwald. had had several drinks of whisky. When turning a corner sharply on the South-east Belt. Ashburton. both brothers were thrown out. Matthew Laffey was picked up in an unconscious state and taken to tho Ashbnrton Hospital, whereJie died at midday the following day. A verdict was given that death was caused by_ ' hemorrhage on the skull, caused by injuries received through being thrown out of a trap, the Coroner remarking that there was no doubt deceased was considerably under the influence of liquor at tho time of tho accident.