ACCIDENTS AND INQUESTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6567, 4 December 1882, Page 3 (Supplement)

ACCIDENTS AND INQUESTS.

A sad accident occurred on Nov. 4, on Karangahape-road, to a joung lad named : Norman Dodds, whose parents reside in Newton-road. The boy, with others, was playing around a baker's cart, and a number of them having got on to the end of it, the cart tipped up. Dodds, who was behind the cart, was caught between the end and the ground with such violence that his leg was broken. He was taken home, and Dr. Walker was sent for. He arrived promptly, and was in time to fix the bone in »itu before the inflammation took place.

Information was received in town late on Nov. 6 of the death by drowning on Nov. 5 at Raglan of Mr. A. B. Pearson. The deceased was brother-in-law to Mr. BreUgh, manager of Studholme's station, Raglan. He had been on a visit at the estate for the last twelve mouths, and on Nov. 5 left Mr. Bretagh'e house on horseback for Auckland, with the intention of witnessing tlie races at Ellcrslie on Nov. 7, and the Agricultural Show next day. He was endeavouring to cross an arm of the Raglan harbour when he met his death. The horse the deceased was ridiDg waa recovered soon after the accident, and the body was fouud on Nov. G.

Two inquests were held on Nov. 4, at the Lunatic Asylum, before Dr. Goldsbro', Coroner. The first was on John Galmis, who died on the 2ud Nov. Deceased waa admitted on the 22ud of December, 1879, suffering from acute mauia. The medical evidence showed that deceased died from paralysis, and the jury returned a verdict accordingly. Deceased was married, and his wife is supposed to be residing at Mercury Bay. The second was on the body of Margaret Thomas. Deceased was admitted to the asylum on October 26, ISS2, suffering from mania. Her death was caused, according to the medical testimony, from inflammation of the bowels, and a verdict waa given to that effect. Deceased was a widow, and leaves two sons, resident at Mount Eden.

! A sad case of drowning took place on 11th NoTember, by Mrs. Margina Bryant, falling off the North Shore Ferry tee. Captain Tye, in the employ of the Devonport Ferry Company, in vain tried to rescue her. A man named Kosc took off his clothing, and lumped into the wn*"" - i.u<l brougnt the woman, to the surface. When she was lifted on board she was laid on the deck and partially undressed, and the usual remedies applied, such as rubbing the limbs, &c, but without success. A messenger was sent for a doctor, and when Dr. Tetment arrived he found the woman dead. A coroners inquest was held at Gleeson's H tel, Hobson and Customhouse-streets, at eleven a.m. on Nov. 13, before Dr. Philson, coroner, and a jury of whom Mr. A. H. Collins was chosen foreman. The jury having viewed the body at the morgue, to which it had been conveyed, and hearing the evidenoe, without retiring, returned a verdict of accidental drowning. An inquest was held on Nov. 9 at the Commercial Hotel, Ouehunga, into the cause of the death of Elizabeth Scott, before Dr. Philson and a jury, of whom Mr. G. Codltii was chosen foreman. The jury returned a verdict of death from natural causes.

A sad accident occurred at Mount Albert on November 11, by which a boy named Ernest Travers Chalk, aged 12, the son of Mr. J. A. Chalk, of Ponsonby, lost his life. It appears that Mr. Chalk and his family went out to visit Mr. Gilmour, of Mount Albert, and while staying there the boy got a ride on one of the horses. Through some misadventure the horse took fright, and the boy pitched otf, his foot dragging in the stirrup. As soon as possible the horse was secured, but the poor boy, after giving two convulsive gasps, expired. A coroner's inquest was held un Nov. 13, before Dr. Philsou, coroner, aud an empanelled jury, of whom Mr. Noah Wood was chosen foreman. The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death."

James Webb, a labourer, at present in the employ of the Auckland Timber Company, met with a painful accident while at work in Customhouse-street at about 10.30 o'cloek on Xov. 13. lie was eugaged at the time in pulling down a brick wall, and was removing the bottom bricks when a heap of fencing wire, which adjoined the wall, suddenly gavu way and fell upon Webb's legs. On an examination of the. limbs being made at the hospital, it was found that he had sustained a very bad compound fracture of the. right leg below the knee.

John Smith, abushman, aged about 30, was received into the hospital on Xov. 12, suffering from dangerous injuries, by being crushed by a log at Tairua. He was jacking she log, when the jack slipped, aud the log rolled against Smith, broakiug several ribs, the collar-bone, and bruising the body in several places. An accident of a somewhat serious character occurred on the 10th Xov., at the corner of Quoen and Wellesley-streets, by which a young lady, Miss Marian Fisher, of Waipu, had a narrow escape of losing her life. A man named William McKay was driving round the comer of ivlilue aud Choyce'a premises, wheu the horse knocked the young lady down, the near wheel of the vehicle passed over her back. Miss Fisher was promptly removed by some oF the bystanders to Dr. Tenneut's surgery, where that gentleman examined her injuries aud dressed them. Her injuries were fennd not to be so serious aa might have been anticipated under the circumstances. A young man named William Taylor, a half-ciuste, was admitted to the hospital on November 11, suffering from a cut about three inches long, near the right ankle. About a fortnight ago he was engaged felling a tree at Waitaki, beyond Henderson's Mill, when the axe slipped and cut his foot. The ankle narrowly escaped injury.

A serious accident happened to an old man named Edward Barry at the North Shore on Saturday, November 11. It appears that Barry, who resides at Lake Takapuua, was driving furiously along the beach at Devonport iu company with two young men on horseback, when liis horse suddenly shied aud hia trap capsizing he was thrown violently on the rocks. He was immediately picked up in an almost unconscious state and conveyed to a house close by, and a messenger sent for Dr. Parkinson, who with Constable Hutchinsou, arrived soon after, when his injuries received medical attention. The body of a man found iu the Awaroa, at Helensville, on November 9, has been identified as that of a man named Ferguson, who had been employed to clean the bottom of the cutter Gloria. An inquest was held on the 11th November before Mr. A. Bonar, Coroner, and a jury. After hearing the evidence, and after careful deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death by drowning."

An inquest was held on Nov. 13 at the Lunatic asylum, by Dr. C. F. Goldsboro', coroner, aud jury, on the body of Andrew Johnson, a Swede, who died on the previous day. The evidence showed that deceased had been admitted in July, ISB2, suffering from acute mania. The jury returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased died from exhaustion, caused by acute mauia. Johnson was unmarried, and it \a not known whether ho has any friends in the colony or elsewhere.

George Michael Morgan, of Waimate, who was repairing fences at Mr. Sydney Williamson's, Puketoua, Bay of Islands, was found dead in his bed on Nov. 15. An inquest was held, and the verdict given was that ho died of heart disease, Dr. Walling having made a jjusl mortem examination. He is supposed to have died ou November 10. He leaves a widow aud four children in poor circumetauces.

During the race for trading cutters at tho North Shore Kegatta ou Aov. 9, a firce squall passed over the harbour, and the cutter tiuphemia sank. All on board were rescued, with the mate of the cutter Champion, who was reported to be drowned.

Mr. James Coombes, of East Hamilton, met with a serious accident on Nov. 11, while returning from Te Aroha. When opposite Mr. Larkworttiy's place, at Waitoa, he fell from the waggon between the front of it and the horses' tect. Fortunately he fell lengthways, and the waggon passed over him without injury, but he received a very severe kick on the face, injuring thu jaw. He was driven into Hamilton the same diiy, whore his injuries were attended to.

A young man, named Jo3eph Wech, a German, was received into the hospital at about eight o'clock on November IS, suffering from a bad compound fracture of the right leg below the knee, with considerable laceration of the flesh, and injuries to the musclea at that part. At half-past seven o'clock on Saturday morning Wech and others were engaged in sliding down kauri logs at Makarau, near Kaukapakapa, v/hen one log, pointed at the end, struck Wech on the right leg, penetrating the calf, laying bare the arteries, and causing tho bone to protrude from the shin. The injured man was carried into Helensville by his mates, and was thence conveyed by train to Auckland.

The only chance for the poor fellow vraa the prompt amputation of \he limb, but he steadfastly refused to subnet to the operation, saying that his father h:wl received similar injuries once, and got better in some three months. Mortification set in, and he died at 8 o'clock p.m. on November 21. Wech's parents reside in Helensville, and as the young man was but 22 years of age, his untimely death is a source of great grief to his parents. A very painful accident occurred at six a. m. on November 22 to a man named Frederick Astle, employed at Mr. Yeomans' boiler works, Albert-street. It was Astle's duty to light the fire under the boiler, so as to have steam ready for the machinery used in the process of boiler-making, and he proceeded to the workb early for that purpose. Not having the key with him on the morning in question, he climbed through a convenient window, and iu doing so fell in an awkward manner, breaking his leg at the ankle. The poor fellow managed to crawl to the edge of Mill Lane and attract the attention of a passing milkman, who immediately aroused Mr. U. Phillips, who livea in the immediate neighbourhood. Mr. Saye's cab being in the stable, they were enabled to convey him speedily to his home in Liverpool-street, where the bone was at once set.

A native woman was burned to death in a whare at Maarai, Raglan, on November 20. The house was seen to be in flames by some natives passing at a short distance, but before they could get to the spot it was nearly destroyed. The body of a woman, at that time apparently dead, was seen in the burning ikhrix, but they were unable, even if she were alive, to help her, as the flames were still ragiugfiercely. The deceased was an old woman, and the Maoris are of opinion that she took this means of committing suicide. —[Own Correspondent.] A fatal gun accident occurred on Nov. 23 at Kaurihohore. Two boys, Alexander MeLeod, aged IS, and Neil Campbell, aged 13, were engaged in cleaning o gun, when, by an accident, the gun was discharged, and the contents lodged close to the heart of Campbell. Death was instantaneous. An inquest was held on Nov. 24. The jury returned a verdict "That Neil Campbell came to his death by the accidental discharge of a gun." A man named Saunderson, employed by Mr. Pagan, contractor, at the Wires Bush, Hikutaia, received a nasty flesh wound on the leg whilst felling timber. The wound is about i) inches in length. Fourteen of his mates conveyed him on a stretcher to Corbett's Hotel, Hikutaia, a distance of over 14 miles, from whence he was brought to the Thames on Nov. 21. He is now under the treatment of Dr. Huxtable.

Dr. Philson held an inquest on Nov. 23 at 2.30 p.m., on the body of William M. Moyle, formerly the licensee of the Wharf Hotel, but more recently engaged in horse dealing, a verdict of "Death from sanguineous apoplexy, caused by excessive drinking" waa returned.

Mr. Duncan McNicol, sen ot Mr. Duncan McNicol of Ohaupo, received a nr.sty bite from the entire hoise "Stanley" on Nov. 20 at Whatawhata. The animal put his teeth through the fleshy part of Mr. McNicol's arm above the elbow, causing a very severe and painful wound. He was brought into Hamilton, where the wound was dressed by Mr. R. F. Saudes.

On November 22, about 1 a m., a man named Charles Byrnes, who has been accustomed to ply about the town with a handcart, was lound lying in a fit in Upper Queeu-street, opposite Stamford House. Dr. Hooper was sent for, but all that remained for him to do was to pronounce life extinct. Constables Maekay and Patten removed the body to the morgue, and the inquest was held at ten o'clock, at Gleeson's Hotel, Hobsoustreet, on November 23, before Dr. Philson. The jury returned a verdict of " Death from excessive drinking."

A fatal accident occurred on November 23 at the Thames, to a man named Edward Kllings, iu the employ of the Queen of Beauty Company, iie had just come up from the I'mko shaft, and was assisting to wind up some old pipes. A horse was attached to one of the capstan arms, and did the winding, whilst KUinus and others were walking behind the various arms ready to stop the winding in case anything caught in the shaft. The arms pass very close to the stays, and Ellings, endeavouring to get behind another arm tried to dodge in frout of one of the stays, but was not quick enough. One of the arms caught him fair in the chest, and jammed him against the stay, and crushed his chest bone iu. He was immediately conveyed to the hospital, where he was attended by Dr. Huxtable, who pronounced the case hopeless. He died tcu minutes after his entry to the hospital. He leaves a wife and family. Mr. Superintendent Thomson received a telegram on Nov. 20 from Constable Gillies, of To Awamutu, stating that he had just received information that the body of George Savage had been found by a native named Kanui, about a mile distant from the place where Savage was supposed to have been drowned in crossing the Puniu River. A coroner's inquest was held on Nov. 21, at Kihikihi. There were no marks of violence upon the body. The jury returned a verdict of "Death from drowning."

A young lad named Edward Iliues, about eight years old, was nearly drowued on the 24th Norember, at about half past three, at the North Shore. It appears that a number of lads were on the beach opposite the Naval Depdt, playing with a case which they had floating on the tide. The lads were taking turns in going out in the box, propelling themselves with a piece of timber. Young Hiues went out, but getting too far off the beach, he bigan to get frightened, and in his excitement upset the box. The lad could not swim, and after struggling for a few moments he sank. Amongst all the lads on the beach only one could swim, namely, Herbert Gerrard, about nine years of age. He was at the time undressed, having been bathing. He at once swam off to the assistance of Hiues, but by the time he rea.-.hcd the spot, the latter had come to the surface, and disappeared again for the second time. Gerrard secured the piece of timber that had been used for a paddle, and when tho drowning lad again came to the surface he pushed to him the piece of timber. Luckily he managed to catch the board, and then Gerrard holding the lad up with his right hand, swam with his left for the shore, and was successful in landing him safely. The boy Gerrard certainly deserves a word of praise for the plucky .manner in which, he went to the assistance of his drowning companion, and it is to be hoped some recognition of hie courageous behaviour will be made.

An inquest was held on Nov. 25 at the Whau. Asylum, before Dr. Goldsbro' and a jury, on tho body of an inmate named John Dillon, who had died oa the previous day. Dillon was admitted to the asylum on the 17th August, 1872 (ten years ago), from Mount Eden Gaol, suffering from imbecility. Tho jury retunic'l a verdict of death from natural causes.

A young man named Chntchner, employed by Mr. H. Pitts, builder, of the North Shore, met with a nasty accident on Friday, November 24. He was employed shaping a window sill with a small axe, holding the sill with his left hand. Whilst so engaged the axe slipped down the wood and cut his left hand severely from between the thumb and forefinger, right across the palm. He was at once taken to obtain medical assistance, the hand bleeding profusely. The wound was bandaged up, and on Sunday Chritchner was progressing as favourably as could be expected.

A porter in the employ of Mr. Samuel Coombes, clothier, named George Wright, met with a nasty accident on November 30. A heavy case was being taken in from a dray, when it fell striking

a door, which was pushed back with considerable violence. In its rebound back the edge struck Wright on the temple and side of the head, indicting a severe cut. He went over to Mr. King's, chemist, where his wound was dressed temporarily, and was subsequently attended at his residence by Dr. Macdonald. It will be a week or two before ho is thoroughly restored.

Henry Hunter, a seaman on board the barque Peerless, was received into the hospital on Nov. 25, suffering from a bad compound fracture of the right leg, below the knee. The barque Peerless was lying in Northern Wairoa River on November 24, the crew at the time being engaged in taking on board timber, when some of tho tackle gave way, and a large hook struck Hunter on the shinbone, fracturing it in several pluces. Hunter was brought dowa to Heleneville and thence to Auckland by train. Dr. Goldsbro', who dressed the wound, removed several pieces of bone from the leg.

Mr. C. C. McMillan (of Messrs. W. Me Arthur and Co.) who is at the present time residing at Northeote with his family, met with a nasty accident on Saturday, 25th November, owing to the trap which he was driving capsizing. Mr. McMillan was thrown out of the buggy with great violence to the

ground, and received several nasty cats and bruises. Medical assistance was at once sent for, and on Nov. 26 Mr. McMillan was reported to be doing as well as could be expected considering the severe shaking he had had.

A singular accident, ending in death, occurred on the 2Sth NoTember to a young man, Mr. Hugh Aitken Hamilton, residing in 1 East-street, Newton, who has been an employe of Messrs. Archibald Clark and O<.'s, Sbortland-street, for several years past. Hamilton had been out in the town on November 27, and returned to his home between one and two a.m. on the 2Sth. In going into his bedroom he etumbled and fell against the bedpost, the whole weight of the blow being inflicted on his teinplo, which wa3 seriously contused. Mrs. Hamilton remained up with her husband all night, and Mr. Nelson, who called between six and seven o'clock in the morning, at once went for Dr. Walker, who found Hamilton alive and unconscious. A lew moments' examination showed him that the man was seriously hurt, and he subsequently called in an hour later Dr. Dawson. The skull was found to be extensively fractured, aud a portion of the bone had been driven in upon the brain. A portion of the bone was removed by the medical gentlemen, which seemed to make the patient feel easier, but no hope of hii recovery was entertained, and the unfortunate young mau succumbed to his injuries about ten o'clock. The deceased was about thirtytwo years of age, aud leaves a wife aud three children. He was a son of Mr. Hamilton, a gardeuer in the Auckland Domain. The coroner was communicated with by the police authorities, and the inquest was held at ten a.m. on Nov. 29, at the York Hotel, corner of Upper Queen aud East streets. The jury returned a veruict of "Accidental Death."

A boy of Mr. H. Lane, of the saw mills, Russell, aged five years, was drowned on November 28, he having fallen from a rock into the sea. An inquest was Held on the 29th, and a verdict returned of accidental death by drowning.