ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 964, 3 November 1910, Page 2

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

DEATH OF A KITCHEN HAND. FOUND DEAD IN BED. The Coroner (Mr. W. It. Haselden, S.M.) held an inquest at tho_ morgue yesterday afternoon concerning the death of William M'Millan, who was found dead in bed at his lodgings, 5 Martin Square, yesterday morning. Sergeant Murphy represented the police, and Mr. Brown watched the proceedings on behalf of an insurance company.

Arthur Chinnock, driver, employed by J. Godber, stated that deceased lodged with him at 5 Martin Square Deceased was a kitchen hand at Godber's, a single man 34 years of age. About a week ago he ran a rusty nail into the palm of his hand. On Monday last he sought medical assistance at the hospital. On Tuesday the wound was lanced. Witness saw him on his return, and ho then.seemed as if he had partly lost his senses; That was about 6 p.m. Ho had a littlo soun and some milk and water, and went to bed. Witness was sitting with him from 8 till 10. Ho was then sleeping, and was still asleep at a quarter to twelve, which was the Jast time that witness saw hini alive. About a quarter to six on , Wednesday morning, witness went into his room, and saw he was dead ill bed. M'Millan was a delicate man. Hβ did not complain much during the week, but said he was kept awake at night. Witness did not know if he got anything to make him sleep. Dr. AV. Kington Fyffe, who made a post-mortem .examination, said as the contents of the stomach had not been analysed, the causo of death could not be stated; it was probably some form of poisoning. Dr.- Sidney James Simpson, senior house surgeon at Wellington Hospital, saw deceased on Monday afternoon. Witness examined his hand, which was very swollen and inflamed, and asked him why he had let his hand get 'in such a state. M'Millan replied that he had been treated by a chemist. On Tuesday morning t.-;o hand was operated on at 11 a.m. by Dr. Brown, witness administering the gas. It only took about five minutes. Ho took the gas natnrally, and came, to quickly. He was not a robust man, had very littlo vitality, and was. suffering from the absorption of the poison from the abscess. He was taken to one of the wards to lie down. ■ At 2.30 p.m. -he expressed a desire to go home. Dr. Brown thought he was 'in a fit state to go, and one of the patients saw him to the tram. . : . • .'■

The Coroner said that they would have to account for deceased's movements from the time he left the hospital till he reached'his lodgings. It would be necessary to call the chemist, who was said to have treated deceased, also Dr. Brown, pnd possibly the patient who saw. M'Millan to the tram. The inquest would be adjourned until 10 a.m. on Friday, the stomach and contents to be forwarded to the Dominion Analyst. .

MEN INJURED BY FLAMES. • (By Telegraph.-Presa Association.). : ' ■'■ Taihape, November 2. While attempting to refill a lighted brazing lamp with methylated spirits yesterday evening, Albert Harvey, aged 18, a-cycle repairer, got frightfully burnt. The spirit caught fire, the flames ascending to the roof. :. Harvey, a mass of flames, rushed from the shop and crossed the road. He ivas entering a store-when lie was'seized by E.' Ingram, , -telegraph linesman, who promptly ripped the clothes off and laid the sufferer- in the water-table, thus saving the man's life. Medical sid was .summoned, and it was found that all tho lower part .of Harvey's body from the hips was more or.less burnt, also his arms and hair were singed. v '. „ • .;, . ■' .■' ■ Leslie Mahoneyi; a : -thb. samo premises, was also burnt about' the arms and face, and it is feared lie will i loso his sight, but the latest reports are that both sufferers are doing as. well as can be expected.' ■ ■■-: ■ The flames in the building were extinguished by a neighbour, Mr..M'Cormick, with a chemical apparatus.'

•A SAD FATALITY. .; : Napier, November 2. George Norman, aged 58, an old-and respected] citizen of Napier, was accidentally killed this afternoon: He was driving a cart laden with coal when the horses took fright, and their plunge jerked Norman off one of the shafts on which he was sitting. The .wheel of the cart passed over his body. He was immediately removed to tko hospital, but died half an hour after admission from internal ■.hemorrhage..: He leaves a widow, three, daughters, and ono son. An inquest •. will- be held-. to-morrow morning. • ■'--"■ ■