ACCIDENTS AND NATALITIES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CIX, Issue 13114, 30 April 1903, Page 6

ACCIDENTS AND NATALITIES.

[Pee Pkess Association.] NAPIER, April 29. An accident of a very serious nature occurred this afternoon. The Conciliation Board, engaged in hearing the wharf labourers' and stevedores' dispute, decided to pay a visit to the wool ship Hermione, in order to see the condition under which the lalbourers work. Captain Tonkin, who had pleaded the case for lite employers before* the Board, was acting as cicerone to the party, and as he was ascending to the vessel from the deck of the lighter Fanny, the " light screen " on which he had stepped gave way beneath him, precipitating him! heavily to the. deck, with the result that he sustained a, compound fracture of the left leg, beside® two broken ribs and ai severe scalp wound. He was immediately brought ashore and taken to tho hospital,, where he is doing well. Some years ago,, Captain Tonkin had. bis right leg broken through a bale of wool falling on it. Tho Board this afternoon expressed sympathy with Captain Tonkin in 'his mishap and adjourned until to-morrow morning. NAPIER, April 29.

A sudden death, took place this evening. Mrs 'Grace Willcocks, wife of Mr R. Willcocks, who was quite well in the morning, was suddenly attacked with fainting fits, and was taken to the Hospital, where she died almost before- assistance could bo rendered. The cause of death was heart failure. -"

An inquest on the body of the man Miller, who died suddenly at Ashburton, was held at the local hospital yesterday afternoon, before. Mr Bishop, S.M., coroner. The jury returned a, verdict' that, deceased died from syncope, accelerated by dropsy and a, dilated heart.