ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CI, Issue 11874, 25 April 1899, Page 5

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

FPer Pbess x\ssociation.l AUCKLAND, April 24. Bernard Kane, a settler, was found dead on the public road near Matakohe. His dray had capsized. MASTERTON, April 24. f R. G. Williams, an old resident, well known in the Wellington district, committed suicide by hanging himself in the stables of the Empire Hotel this morning. Financial troubles are supposed to be the cause of the deed. Deceased was the first Mayor of Masterton. He was seen alive, in apparently good spirits, at twenty minutes to nine, and was found dead at two minutes past nine. , „„ NELSON, April 24. Mr George Harper, barrister and solicitor, an old resident of Nelson, was seized with an apoplectic fit and removed in an unconscious state to the hospital, where he now lies in a serious condition. DUNEDIN, April 24. A young woman named Catherine Butler was killed at Baldhill Flat. She was drivino- with her sisters when some dogs rushed° at the horse, causing it to swerve off the road. The animal then commenced kicking and struck Miss Butler, who was sitting in the trap, killing her. Her Uo sisters escaped miraculously. At the inquest touching the death of the child Gallagher a verdict of ” Accidentally drowned ” w'as returned, the jury adding a rider to the effect that the corporation should close up the holes on the street side of the wharf.

A sad fatality occurred at Wainono Lake, near Studholme Junction, early on Sunday, when Cuthbert Harold Walker, a youth about eighteen years old, was accidentally shot by his companion, Ernest Hunt. They were out shooting swans in a boat on the lake, and were rowing ashore to get breakfast, when Hunt picked up his gun to prepare for some birds that were approaching. The gun went off, and Walker, receiving the charge in the back of the head, killed instantaneously. Hunt rowed ashore and called on some others who were near to help him ; but thcy-refused, and he had to fret the body into a trap unassisted, ana take it to the Junction Hotel. He met two bicyclists'on the road, and asked them to ride into Wahuate, about five miles distant, and inform the police, but they also refused. An inquest was held yesterday morning at the Sfcudholme Hotel, before Mr Column, J.P., acting coroner, and a jury consisting of Messrs Wl J. Black (foreman), Mann, Tooher, Low, Clarke, and Osborne. The evidence of A. Walker, father of deceased, Ernest Hunt, Dr Barclay, and Constable Parker was heard, and the following verdict was returned “ That Cuthbert Harold Walker met his death accidentally by a gunshot wound at the hands of Ernest Hunt, but that no blame attaches to anyone.” The following rider was added: “ The jury are of opinion that Ernest Hunt did.everything in his power after the accident, and, further, they are also of the opinion that those persons who refused to render assistance when called upon to do so, especially .the bicyclists, who refused to acquaint the police, are deserving of the severest censure.” „ A man named B. Horgan, employed at Mr A. Humphreys’ farm, Seadown, fell from a loft'through a feed-shoot on Saturday, and sustained bruises and a fractured arm. , ... , , ~ Dr Fitzhenry, of Amberley, was thrown from his gig while driving through Leithfield on Saturday. He fell on his head, and sustained severe bruises. Ralph Ashby, twelve years of age, son of Mr S. Ashby, of Balcairn, was thrown from a horse at Balcairn, on Saturday afternoon, and his right arm was broken near the wrist. He was attended to by Dr Morris, at Amberley.