INQUESTS AND ACCIDENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5395, 3 March 1879, Page 2

INQUESTS AND ACCIDENTS.

A very painful feeling pervaded the city on Feb. sth, when it became known that Mr. Frederick Combe 3, of the firm of Combes and Daldy, had been drowned in a w 11 at the rear of the firm's business premises in Queen-street. The deceased gentleman resided in Mooro-street with his family, and was absent from home all night, but his absence excited no remark. It appears that on the previous night he had been down to the offices, and opened the front door. He went inside for a few moments, leaving the key in tbo door, and on his return he found it gone, some pereon having abstracted it in the meantime ; so, on the following morning, he reported the loss to the police. During the day he told Mr. William Taylor Davies, junior clerk in the office, of the loss, and stated his intention of coming down to the office that night, and waiting inside to ascertain whether the thief would come to use the key. The same front entrance leads to the Standard Insurance Company's office, and the policeman on night duty had special instructions to keep a sharp eye on the premises during the night. Mr. Combes was in town during the early part of tho night, and was in conversation with several gentlemen. Ho appeared to be in his usual health and spirits. He returned home in the evening, and left at 9 o'clock, and this appears to be the last that was seen of him up to the time that his body was found in the well next morning. It will be remembered that a few months ago Mr. Combes fell into the same well, and had a desperate struggle for lifo for three or four hours, before his cries were heard and he was recovered from his dangerous position. At that time the well-covering was old and rather decayed, but it has since been replaced by an entirely new and perfectly safe one; and tho lid opening is so small that it is difficult to conceive how any man could have dropped in accidentally, as there is scarcely room to pass a body through. The well is only a few feet from the back door. It is just possible that, as in tho former case, Mr. Combes may have been crossing the yard to the closet, and that the lid might have been left open ; but on a clear, moonlight night, such as that which prevailed on night in question, he would be supposed to observe it. .Nono of those with whom he conversed on the fatal evening noticed anything strange in his manner or conduct, and at about 7 o'clock, when in conversation with Superintendent Thomson about his former narrow escape, he said he felt no ill effects from his immersion, but that he could not then understand how he dropped into tho well, as he had crossed it hundreds of times without accident. An inquest was held when the jury returned an open verdict of "Found drowned."

A painful accident occurred at Newton on 4th February, which terminated fatally. It took place at the Auckland Timber Company's saw and moulding mill, and the victim is Edward Alfred Bowles, son of Edward Bowles, who resides in Londonstreet, a cross street leading from Dublinstreet, where the mill is situated. The young lad, who was only 13 years of age, had only recently entered the employ of the company. He was engaged in the glaziers' department. The other employees in this department were a man named Benjamin Holmes and a boy about the same age as doceased, named Thomas Harrison. The apartment in which they were employed is partitioned off from tho remainder of the building, but an end of the engine shaft projects into it to a length of about 20 inches, and in the apartment there is a small machine for grinding putty. This machine was at work on above morning, and at about 10 o'clock tho belt worked off tho pulley. Bowles went up on a platform to replaco the belt, and while so engaged, a portion of his shirt-sleeve got caught betweeu the belt and the pulley. Tho poor lad, thus firmly held, was pulled round and round with the revolving-shaft, and his legs and extremities were as often dashed against a projecting beam, until the clothing which held him was torn to shreds, when he dropped to the floor. The machinery was stopped as speedily as possible. His legs were broken into splinters from tho hips downward, and one of them was nearly dragged out of tho socket. Dr. Purchas was sent for, and wa3 in immediate attendance, and he at once ordered the removal of the lad to tho hospital. The employees of tho mill constructed a stretcher of poles and extended bags, and conveyed him to the hospital. The poor lad thoroughly understood his position. He expressed gratitude for all the kind officcs bestowed upon him, but said he had no desiro to live to be a cripple. He died about two hours after his admission to the hospital. An inquest was held when a veidict of "Accidental death" was returned. A rider was added to tho effect that lads under 15 should not be permitted to put machinery out of gear. An inquest was held before Mr. Thomas Jackson, coroner, on Thursday, 13th Feb., en the body of William Alexander Munro, who was nccidently burned on the preceding day, during tho absence of the child's father, the jury brought in a verdict of "Accidental death." The child's age was 21 months. Much sympathy is felt for the parents. A young man named Jno. Baker cut his throat at Ormond on Feb. 24. He was lowspirited from fever. His parents live at Newmarket. He is a brother of Mr. W. Baker, carter, Thames. The verdict of the jury was "Unsound mind."

A man named Northerner, a carpenter, living at the ferry, Tologa Bay, committed suicide by hanging on Feb. 25.

Mr< Shore, jun., of Mokau, who accompanied Dr. Hector overland to VVaikato on the late expedition, was accidentally drowned in the Mobakatino River on Jan. 30, while crossing on horseback. He had been to New Plymouth, and was returning overland with his wife and family. _ The natives had warned him that the river was too high. The body has not been recovered.

The Superintendent of Police on Feb. sth, received a telegram from Constable MoKnight, of Papakura, saying that Thomas Kew, a farmer, died at Ararimu South, suddenly, on previous night. There were no suspicious circumstances, however, attached to the case.

At an early hour onthe 7th February, the well known open boat Volante, containing" Messrs. Allison and Nicholson, was running into Orakei, and when abreast of the bay, was caught by a puff of wind and capsized. Fortunately there was little, ballast in the boat, and having all sail sei, she lay broadside on the water, and the occupants were thus enabled to get on the top of it, and to retain their position until rescued. The accident was observed from the Eliip Margaret Galbraith, at anchor at the Powder Ground, about one mile and a quarter off. and Watermen Hunt, Williams, and Holbrook were fortunately alongside the ship, and the three taking one boat, speedily pulled to the rescue. The accident was also noticed by a Maori boat that was in the bay, and three natives and a wahine also bravely pushed off, and a splendid ra-e between the two rescuing boats (from opposite directions) ensued, the two arriving alongside the Volante simultaneously. Messrs. Allison and Nicholson were taken from their perilous position, and, desirous of proceeding to the North Shore, were there conveyed by the Maoris. Both the watermen and natives deserve commendation for the tough pull they had in their efforts to rescue their fellow-citizens. The Volante, at low water, was raised, and taken across to the North Shore.

A very dangerous accident has occurred to a man named Thomas Bailey, a farm servant in the employ of Mr. Thomas Rogers, of Papatoitoi.which.it was feared, would terminate fatally. When the accident occurred Bailey was employed carting grain from the farm to the stack-yard, and just then was engaged building grain on the cart. The horse's blinkers, which were rather loose, dropped off, causing the animal to start. Bailey fell, and the wheel of the dray passed over his body, breaking his lower jawbone laud right shoulderblade. His breastbone and ribs are also injured. The poor fellow is in such a precarious condition that he cannot be removed to the hospital, but every attention possible is being paid to him at Mr. Rogers's house, at Papatoitoi.

A lad named Patrick O'Brien, a newspaper runner, had a narrow escape from death or broken limbs by being run over by a spring cart in Queen-street on Saturday afternoon. A cart in charge of a man named Rosser, and owned by Messrs. Brown, Barrett and Co., was being driven up Queen street, and O'Brien at the instant seeing a customer on the opposite side, darted across the road in front of the horse, thinking he would be able to get past. But he miscalculated his speed, for the horse's knee struck him on the right thigh with such force, fortunately, as to throw him some distance away from the cart. Some bystanders picked him up, and carried him to the shop of Mr. Sharland, chemißt, Shortland-street; but it was found that the only external injury he received was a bruise on his thigh, where the horse's knee had struck him. He was sen l ; home in a cart to his parents' residence, in Wellesley-street, where he is getting around well. The centre-board boat Alfred capsized off Tamaki Heads on the Ilth February. Its occupant, Samuel Clare, was returning from the Wairoa to Auckland, and, the day being calm, all sail was set, when a sudden puff came and capsized the boat, throwing its occupant into the water. The accident waa witnessed by two persons who were out in a dingy, and they at once pulled to the scene and rescued Clare. The yacht was towed up the harbour by the 3.5. Lily, and it is found that the masthead is broken short off and the gaff gone.

A fortnight ago, George Gow, an engineer, employed in the Te Kopuru saw-mill, narrowly escaped losing his life. He was placing a belt upon a shaft, when his clothing was caught, and he was whirled around. Fortunately, there was nothing to strike against, and, his clothing having been completely torn from his body, he fell to the ground, severely injured. Ho has since recovered from his injuries.

On Feb. 21 a serious accident occurred to Master Thos. Fulham, who was riding along at a leisurely pace, when the horse shied, and threw his rider. Pulham fell upon his shoulder, dislocating that joint, and breaking the top of the humerus. Mr. McMurdo, the Government Assurance Agent, was present at the time, placed the lad under chloroform, and had him taken to the hotel, where Dr. Sandes (recently arrived from England) reduced the dislocation and set thebroken bone. It is expected that the young lad will get all right by and by, but at present the injury is a severe one, and may keep hiin conlined to his bed for many weeks.

Dr. Haines escaped a serious accident on the 27 th February. Whilst driving his buggy up the hill near Keneally's bridge, Lower Eemuera, the horse commenced to jib, and bac'tod over a steep embankment. The doctor, fortunately, was not much hurt, but the buggy was considerably damaged The horse escaped with a few [scratches.. The horse was thrown on his back and entangled in the harness, and it beiDg near midnight, it was some time before any assistance could be obtained and the animal released from its awkward osition.