ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 3830, 13 May 1913, Page 6

ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS.

SENSITIVE MAX’S SUICIDE. [PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEC.RAM.] CHRISTCHURCH, May 12. At the inquest on the body of Alex. Chas. Barrett, who shot himself on Saturday night, the evidence showed that deceased was a very sensitive man, and worried considerably over the fact that a lady for whom he had worked for some time as groom had considered him impertinent. A verdict was returned of death by revolver wound while deceased was temporarily of unsound mind.

CHAIN HILLS BLASTING FATALITY. DUNEDIN, May 12. The inquest into tho fatal blasting accident at tho Chain Hills tunnel was held to-day. The evidence showed that tho deceased, Harry Smith, was placing gelignite cartridges in position in a hole and Gardiner (acting as ganger) was pushing them homo with tho usual copper tamping rod. Tho hole was on a slight incline, but almost horizontal, and the second of the two plugs evidently did not go to the bottom. AVhon it was put in the tamping pad was applied gently to the cartridge and at that moment the explosion occurred. The cap and fuse were not attached, and wore seen unused after the accident. Dr. iStewart, resident house surgeon at tho hospital, said the cause of death- was severe concussion of the brain. A verdict of accidental death was returned, no blame being attachable to anyone. DROWNED IN A RIVER. - INVERCARGILL, May 12. A fatality occurred in tho New River on Sunday afternoon, resulting in the death by drowning of John McLaren Cochrane, who was employed as a clerk in Invercargill. Cochrane was crossing the river in a boat with Cecil Hazlott and the boat was swamped, causing it to sink. Both men were heavily clothed with overcoats and guimboots. ' Hazjlett made a gallant attempt to rescue his companion, who could not swim; but after both had been under twice Cochrane let go. Hay.lctt swam ashore and after partly undressing dived 1 in again and brought Ooebrano out. Ho could net-get-the body ashore owing to the bank of the river being five feet high. He secured the body to a gorse bush and went out for help. Cochrane was dead when lifted out. and was probably not alive when brought to the river bank by Hazlett.