ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CIII, Issue 12243, 2 July 1900, Page 5

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

WRECKAGE. United Press Association—By Eire trio Telegraph—Copyright. ADELAIDE, June 30. The wreckage found on Kangaroo Island is believed to belong to the Loch Sloy.

INQUESTS. The inquest touching the death of the lata Janies Francis*, who was found unconscious and with 4 wound on the back of his head, near’ the railway Hue on Wednesday night, and; who died on Friday in the hospital, was held at the hospital on Saturday. A jury of six was empanelled. Mr Alexander Edmonds ton was chosen foreman, and, after the jury had viewed the body, the 'following evidence was taken: —Henry Moodie deposed that he wais in charge of the'National Mortgage Company's stores at Addington, where deceased had been employed as a labourer. On Wednesday last deceased had left the store at five in the evening, presumably to go to ibis home, which witnessed believed to be at Middleton. Deceased was in the habit of walking to and from work. Witness had identified deceased when he saw him lying in the hospital on Thursday last as James Frauds. John Beakon stated that he resided at Addington. Knew deceased, and had seen him on Wednesday afternoon last, about five o’clock, at the Star Hotel, and bad gone part of the way home with him, taking leave of him at White’s wood and coal yard on the Lincoln Road. He had asked witness to go on to the Black Horse Hotel, but witness refused. That was about a quarter to sis. Matthew Covanagh, licensee of the Star Hotel, gave evidence to the effect that deceased had called in at the hotel and left again with the previous witness. He had had a pint of beer, bub was not the worse for liquor. Edward M’Fall, barman at the Star Hotel, corroborated Cavauagh’s evidence. Douglas Whitolaw stated that he was a labourer living near Middleton. He had left Christchurch to go home at midnight on Wednesday, and found deceased lying on the ballast of the railway line near the shew grounds. He was snoring heavily. Witness struck a match -and saw that deceased had a wound on the back of his head, and there was blood on the ground beside him. He was lying on his back, with his head about a foot from the rails. Witness went for Constable Ryan, who proceeded to the spot. Constable Ryan stated that he found deceased face downwards on the- south side of the rails. His head wan within a foot of the rails. There was a wound at the base of the skull and some hair and skin lying on the ballast beside him. His dress was disordered. On the path beside the ballast there was a hollow, where deceased might have stumbled and fallen. He was in such a position that a bogie carriage of a passing train might have struck him. Several trains passed along the line that evening. Dr Crooke, hospital surgeon, deposed that deceased had bejn brought to the hospital early on ‘‘Thursday morning in an unconscious condition. On examination, witness found a complete fracture of the skull aud pieces of bone touching the brain tissue. Deceased never recovered consciousness, and died on Friday at 6 p.xn. The cause of death was a fracture of the base of the skull and concussion of the brain. Michael Rennells stated that deceased had boarded with him at Middleton. He was a man of quiet habits, and -witness had never seen him under the influence of liquor. The jury returned a ■verdict to the effect that death was caused by injuries to the skull and brain, but as to how the injuries were received there was no evidence to show.

An inquest was held at Strathnoon, near Geraldine, on Saturday, touching the death of Jessie Woxner, the girl who died on Thursday from injuries received through her clothes catching fire, while she was lighting gorse fires in the Waihi river-bed. The inquest was held before Colonel Mosre, J.P., and a jury of six, Mr J. Kalaligher being chosen foreman. A verdict of “ accidental death ” was returned. -