ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1139, 29 May 1911, Page 6

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

MAN OVERBOARD. „FATALITY AT QUEEN'S' WHARF. Excitement was caused at the Queen's Wharf on Saturday night, by the cry "Man overboard," raised from the s.s. Kama. It appeared that, in mounting the gangway, a pantryman, named William Nockles, had fallen into the water, and the accident had a fatal termination. Assistance was soon forthcoming, the body was recovered in a few minutes, artificial "respiration was tried by the Harbour Board officials, and a doctor was summoned, but life was extinct. Deceased was a native of England, a single man, about 31 years of age. His parents reside at Westbrooke, Worthing, and he had no relatives in New Zealand. Dr. M'Arthur held an inquest at the morgue yesterday afternoon concerning tho death. Constable M'Kclvey, of Clyde Quay, represented the police. A verdict was returned that deceased was accidentally drowned through falling off tho gaugvvay while going on board the s.s. Navua. DEATH OF A RETIRED MARINER. Tho City Coroner (Dr. A. M'Arthur, S.M.) held an inquest at (he Wellington Hospital yesterday afternoon, touching the death of Hermon Laurenson, a retired master mariner, who was 79 years of age, and who (until removed to tho hospital) had resided with his daughter, Mrs. Catherine Dudley, at 147 Tinnkori Road. Sergeant Matlneson, of Wellington South, re- t presented the police. Evidence called was to the effect that deceased became slightly paralysed on May 18, and was thereafter mostly confined to his bed. Dr. Henry Hardwick Smith, medical superintendent of the Wellington Hospital, stated that when deceased was admitted to the hospital at 2 p.m. on May 23, he was suffering from burns on tho left shoulder. Ho was somewhat .delirious,' and partially paralysed. Bronchitis supervened, and ho died at 7.30 p.m. on Friday. Death was due to acute bronchitis, aided by the shock following the burns. A verdict was returned in accordance with the medical testimony. /