TRAGEDIES AND ACCIDENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 May 1936, Page 7

TRAGEDIES AND ACCIDENTS

AMBERLEY FARMER’S DEATH BODY IN FIRE-RUINS [PER press association.] CHRISTCHURCH, April 30. A human body, partly consumed by fire, was found in the smouldering ruins of a house at Swamp Road, Amberley, this morning, and near the body was a double barrelled shot gun. The body is believed by the’police to be that of Frederick John Stanton, single, aged 51, a. farmer, who had been living alone in the house for two years. The discovery was made at 8.30 a.m., by Mr. Brooke, driver of a cream truck.

On Wednesday evening, Stanton played cards at the house of a neighbour, J. Belcher, until 10.30, when he left for his home. The house was of six rooms, and was built 60 years ago. It was left to Stanton by his mother two years ago. He farmed 30 acres of land surrounding the-house.. He had been in ill health for several months. Seven years ago he suffered a fractured skull in a fall from a horse while hunting, and he frequently said that this had left a permanent effect on him.

KILLED BY TREE. AUCKLAND, April 30. Admitted to the hospital on Wednesday with severe injuries, following an accident at his property when felling a tree, Emanuel Pena, aged 80, of Papakura, died to-day. When the inquest was opened, Andrew Nicol stated he was assisting the deceased to cut down a tree. Witness put a rope round the tree, and when it had been chopped nearly through, he and the deceased pulled on the rope. When the tree started to crack, he told the deceased to keep clear, and to let go the rope. He saw him walking away, when witness looked again, the deceased had fallen, and was trying to get up. He was struck by the tree, however, and was pinned to the ground. The inquest was adjourned.

MOTOR-CYCLIST’S DEATH. WAIPUKURAU, April 30. The sequel of a fatal collision while coming home after the Tikokino sports on April 11, was heard at Waipawa, when Arthur Revell Parkin, of Waipawa, was charged with recklessly driving a car, and causing the death of Harry Ralph Haynes. Simultaneously an inquest was held as to the death of Haynes, District Coroner W. E. Yates presiding. Magistrate J. Miller discharged the defendant, remarking there was not sufficient evidence to commit him for trial. The Coroner’s verdict was that deceased met his death from injuries, as described in the medical evidence, and sustained as a result of the motor cycle which he was riding being struck on the rear wheel by an overtaking motor-car driven by Parkin. DEATH AT PARLIAMENT. WELLINGTON, May 1. An elderly man, who has not yet been identified, collapsed suddenly in the public gallery of the House of Representatives yesterday, and died before a doctor arrived. It is stated that, the man was a frequent visitdr to the gallery. He was apparently about 65 years of age.

A FATAL FALL WELLINGTON, April 30. A finding that deceased died at the Wellington Hospital on April 10 from a fracture of the skull received when he accidentally fell from a fire escape at the Railway Hotel, Lower Hutt, on April 4, was returned at the inquest into the circumstances of the death of James McPherson, to-day. William Maxwell Scott Greig, engineer, who lived at the hotel said he saw several boarders arguing with the deceased, who was in a drunken condition. When told that they wanted McPherson put out, he (Greig) put his arms around him and lifted him out on to the fire escape landing. Deceased suddenly overbalanced, and fell against the railing surrounding the fire escape landing which gave way, and deceased fell 14 feet to the ground. Witness tried to catch hold of him but it was too late. He found deceased to be unconscious and he assisted to carry him inside. Witness did not strike or push deceased when on the landing, and did nothing to cause him to fall as he did. It was owing to the drunken condition that he overbalanced and fell. Coroner Gilbertson said he was satisfied that deceased was drunk and unsteady on his feet. He thought deceased lurched in a drunken state against the railing which gave way. The railing was not safe. The boarders thought it was shaky but the question of safety rested with the inspector. Apparently since the accident the inspector had concluded that the railing was flimsy.