ACCIDENTS AND INQUESTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7693, 19 July 1886, Page 10

ACCIDENTS AND INQUESTS.

SHIPPING CASUALTIES. By the courtesy of the Railway Department, Mr. Lumlon, Collector of Customs, Wanganui, was provided with a special train on the 23 th June and proceeded to Waitotara station, which was reached at half-past eleven. lie then proceeded in a buggy to the beach, where he discovered the wrecked schooner Pelican, 69 tons, which was lying a mile distant from Waitotara river. He found a large number of people near the wreck which could be reached. The bcach was covered with wreckage. The bowsprit and boom were lying on the beach, the masts being attached by the rigging to the wreck. The vessel wan lying bottom up. The Pelican was commanded by Captain John Devett, and was bound from Ivaipara to Lyttelton with timber, the principal portion of which was consigned to Mr. John Waller, of Christchurch, who is the owner of the vessel. The Pelican was insured for £500 in the New Zealand office, and Mr. Waller's portion of the cargo was injured for nearly £300 in the same office. Her crew consisted of four men, besides the captain. The mate leaves a wife and family in Lyttelton. Edward Jackson, of Ocean Bay, reports wreckage of timber on the beach near Port Underwood, Wellington. It is believed to be a portion of the hull and cargo of the ketch Thames. He has found a piece of the wood painted lead colour, also seven Customhouse forms bearing heading of "Port of Nelson." The Thames traded between llavelock and Nelson, and it is thought sho has been lost with all hands. The harbourmaster at Havelock reports that on the '23rd Juno the cutter Hannah. 12 tons register, bound to South Akaroa Bay, while beating in the passage between Forsyth Island and Port Ligar, was Btruck by a sudden squall, and capsized. She sank immediately. The crow took to the boat, and were saved. The accident happened at one p.m. Tho schooner Ruby, Neil, master, dragged her anchors during a heavy gale while lying at Awanui, near Te Kaha, twenty miles east of Opotiki, aud went ashore on the rooks. She has become a total wreck. SUPPOSED LOSS OF AN AMERICAN BARQUE. Grave anxiety is now felt at Wellington for the American barque Chascar, IGG days from New York. The current report is that she arrived off Wellington Heads more than a month ago, and after signalling for a pilot stood out to sea, and has not been seen since. The pilot reports to the Harbour Board as follows: —" Mr :In reference to the barque at the Heads on the 2Sth May, the signalman reported to me at twenty minutes past seven a.m. that a vessel was coming round Sinclair Heads. I at once launched the boat, and ran as far as Westledge. The barque was six or seven miles off; the wind strong N.W. The barque, with main topgallants all set, was heading for Taurakina Heads. L pulled tho boat to the old station, lauded, and waited some time. I saw no chance of boarding the barque, and returned to the station. The signalman says when he first saw the vessel she was heading up for Pencarrow Heads, and carried topsails and foresail. She had an American ensign dying at the fore royal masthead truck (instead of the Union Jack). The barque was pointed black on topaides, and appeared to have a red stripe above the water line. When abreast of Sinclair Head she sot the main topgallant sail, and steered for Taurakina Head. When abreast, cleated up main topgallant sail, and backed mainyard for half hour. At half-past eleven the signalman could see the barque through tho gap between Baring Head and Taurakina Head, under lower topsails, close hauled, Hag still Hying at the foro.—l have, etc., Lancelot! Holmes."

Mrs. Maria Ann Brunckard, a widow residing in Victoria-lane, off Victoria-street, near the City Hotel, reported at the police station on June 21 that a child live weeks old, of her daughter, who was married to a man named Andrew Sylle, had died about eleven o'clock the previous night. It seemed that the child was taken suddenly ill on the 10th June, and a "Doctor" Hood (who is not registered as a practitioner) was called in, as he had been attending a neighbour for cancer. He rubbed on a linameut, but the child expired on the 20th June. At the inquest before Dr. Philson on June 22, the evidence of the mother went to show that the child had been suffering from a cough for about a week. Shu treated it for several days till the ISth June, when a Mr. Hood prescribed a liniment for the chest and shoulders, which he applied, affording relief for a day. Next day the infant became worse, and on the 20th June the doctor, in response to a suggestion by the mother, gave a mixture which afforded no relief, and the infant died soon after midnight. A post mortem examination made by Dr. Girdler resulted in finding the body quite healthy and well nourished in all the organs, with the exception of the base of the left lung, which waa congested. Ho considered the cause of death was inflammation of the lung, He did not think rubbing the chest had accelerated the disease, although he was of opinion that under proper treatment there was no reason why the child should not have recovered. The " Dr." Hood referred to had not his name on the medical register, This man was warned to attend tho inquest, but failed to put in an appearance. The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence, "That tho deceased died from natural causes," and added the following rider: "That the authorities should exercise their power in putting a stop to unqualified medical men practising." Mr. Theo. Cooper was present, and watched the proceedings on behalf of the Auckland Medical Association. 1.5y the arrival of tho E.M.s.s. Mariposa on the 2Gth of Juno from San Francisco wo learn that on the passage down one of her saloon passengera has been lost. It appears that at about ten p.m. on the night of the 24th June Mr. M. (J. Hall Was seen on deck, and then apparently in tho enjoyment of good health and in excellent spirits. At eight a.m. on the 23th June Mr. Hall was missed, and although diligent search was instituted throughout the ship nothing could be seen of the gentleman. As at the time a heavy westerly gale was blowing with a high sea running, it is presumed that the gentleman named was washed overboard. On the oOth Juno, James Igoe, sou of Mr, F, a, lgoe, of i'arueU Kise, died from

injuries which he had received while out] riding. It appears that ho was in the service of Dr. Larson, and was riding a young racer belonging to that gentleman on the 29th of June, when, in turning the corner of Karangahape Road and Symondsstreet, the horse fell, throwing its rider heavily on his head. The young man was taken to Dr. Lawson's residence, where, in addition to Dr. Lawson, Drs. Walker, Purchas, and Haines also gave their medical aid. The case proved to be one of concussion of the brain, from which cause young Igoe died as stated above. Deceased was greatly esteemed and respected. Another of those painful and distressing accidents, which, alas ! occur so often at Kotorua, happened on Saturday, July 3. A number of youths were playing in the vicinity of some ngawhas near the Utuhina Bridge. One of them, a fine strapping boy, son of Matuha, and about 10 years of age, fell bodily into one which was boiling most furiously. He was speedily pulled out, but, of course, not quick enough to prevent the skin from peeling off. He lingered about two hours, when death put an end to the most excruciating agony that is possible for human nature to bear. A fatal accident occurred on the 3rd July to a lad named Harry Mills, aged 15, working for Mr. Turnbull, Morrinsville. He had been sent to the Mangakawau bush on July 3 with a team for firewood. Mr. Turnbull was in Cambridge during the afternoon, and on returning home learned that Mills had not returned from the bush; Fearing something was wrong, he hastened away immediately, and found the dray overturned and the boy lying under it, to all appearance dead. He was unable to extricate the boy by himself, au<| went to the nearest native settlement for assistance, but the Maoris, who are auperatitiously afraid of a dead body, and especially that of a European, point-blank refused to render any assistance. When the loaded dray was removed, it was found that the boy was dead, and had been so to all appearance for some time. At the inquest a verdict of " Accidental death" was returned. Shortly after five p.m. on the sth July, Mr. Atkinson, who resides at College Road, Ponsonby, met with a serious accident by being thrown from his horse, in Mechanics' Bay, on to a lot of newly-spread broken metal. Mr. Atkinson, who is employed as a clerk in the Union Sash and Door Company's office, had just mounted his horse, and had proceeded about fifty yards homewards, when, after passing the Railway Bridge, the horse appears to have stopped suddenly, and Mr. Atkinson fell over its head. He was promptly picked up, and taken back to tho office, and a carriage was despatched for Dr. Coom, who was speedily in attendance. It was found that Mr. Atkinson was severely lacerated about the face and hands, and also considerably shaken, but, so far, it does not appear that any bones are broken. On the 6th of July the officers of the Petrel had a narrow escape of being seriously injured. They were being brought to town under escort of Constable MeClellan, when in crossing the Kaipara railway line, which passes near the gaol, the horse got frightened through the railway whistle of a ballast train, and swerved. The driver, Mr.Patrick endeavoured to get his vehicle clear, but the engine was too quick for him, and struck the hinder part of the cab, turning it over on its side. Foley, one of the mates of the Petrel, leaped out of the cab at tho outset, but his comrade, Mendoza, was not so fortunate, and got overturned with the cab. In striking the cab the engine threw it clear of the line, and went on without inflicting further damage. Mendoza was soon released from the wrecked trap, Constable MeClellan, Captain keid, and mate Foley assisting. He was found to be uninjured. The three officers and the constable then proceeded on to the Court 09 foot. An inquest was held at Christchurch on the 3rd July on the body of Agnes Austin, aged 16, the daughter of Mr. Austin, solicitor. She died somewhat suddenly, without a medical man being in attendance. The medical evidence showed that death had resulted from congestion of the brain. It appeared that the deceased's father had a post mortem examination before that ordered by the coroner, who blamed him for doing it, pointing out that it was illegal. The jury added a rider affirming the advisability of a private post mortem in similar circumstances. An inquest was held at Timaru on June 25 on tho body of a well-known grocer (James Fullarton), who was found dead in his shop. The jury returned a verdict of "Death from natural causes." At the aijourncd inquest at Christchurch on June 21 on W. Verrall, the evidence of Professor Bickertou, who had made an analysis of tho stomach of the deceased, and of the few dregs remaining of the medicine supplied by a herbalist, was to the effect that he could not certainly say what the medicine was, but he suggested lobelia. This drug is used as an emetic, and is poisonous if taken in sufficient quantity ; it is, according to Taylor, one of the poisons frequently prescribed by quacks, and is a dangerous drug. There was no positive proof, however, that it had been administered and the jury returned an open verdict. The annual return of railway accidents in New Zealand has been completed. It appears that during the past year not a single passenger was killed or injured from "causes beyond his own control," but four were killed and nine injured through their own misconduct or carelessness. Two railway servants were killed and 53 were injured from causes beyond their own control, but none were killed, and only 11 were injured through their own misconduct or carelessness. One person was killed and five were injured on level crossings. Two trespassers were killed, and as many injured. In the workshops 31 were injured, but none killed ; and under the heading "miscellaneous," one death and one case of injury are recorded. Total, 10 killed and 115 injured. On the 13tn July information was received by the water police that a woman had been found drowned at the western the of the Queen-street Wharf, and that her body had been discovered hanging over one of the stringers. Sergeant Clarke had the body removed to the morgue. Some trouble was experienced in getting the body identified, but at last it was identified by a woman known as .Nellie Nipue, of Chancery-street, with whom she had bean staying a few nights previously, as a Mrs. Nelson, aged about 30. Deceased left the house at five p.m. on the Pith July, and was last seen at half-past nine by a Mrs. White, of Chancery-street, when she said she was looking for a night's lodging. Mrs. White recommended her to go to the Salvation Army Home, and that was the last seen of her alive. The usual inquest was held on July 1-4 by Dr. Philson, at Gleeson's Hotel. Mr. Alfred Glover was chosen foreman of the jury. After the evidence had been heard, the jury returned a verdict of " Found drowned." An inquest upon the body of a child named Francis Henry Taylor (son of Mr. W. H. Taylor, Albert Avenue, Stonyhurst, Mount Eden), who died on the Stli July from the effects of burns, was held at the parents' residence on the 9th July, before Dr. Philson, Coroner, and a jury of six, of whom Mr. J. Gilmour was foreman. The evidence of the inothsr, Dr. Lewis, and Mr. Firness, a neighbour, was taken. Their testimony went to show that the child was left in the kitchen along with his brother, about five years of age, about one o'clock. Some few minutes afterwards Mrs. Taylor, who had gone into the yard, was alarmed by screams from the kitchen, and on rushing in found the little fellow's clothes on fire. Before she could put out the flames the child was severely burned, and she herself was also burned in trying to protect the little fellow. Dr. Lewis attended about half an hour afterwards, and applied such remedies as were possible, but the deceased died about four hours afterwards. The stove was an American one, and it is thought that the child in trying to put gome paper in tho trap door caught fire. A verdict of " Accidentally burned" was returned by the jury. During the trip of the Penguin from Port Chalmers to Lyttelton, at 9.50 p.m. on July 12, when she was 16 miles north of Taiaroa Heads, a steerage passenger named George Tebaven fell or jumped overboard. He was noticed failing by chief officer Speading, who at once put the ship full speed astern, and a boat was lowered in charge of second officer Woodhouue, and, though it was nearly dark, and there was a heavy north-easterly swell on, the body was recovered in ten minutes. Every effort to restore animation failed. Deceased was about 50 years of age, and a miller by trade. He had lately resided near Christchurch. 'lhere was no evidence of any reason for suicide, and deceased was said to be a sober man. Ho had complained of feeling unwell about 5 p.m., and at the inquest held on July 13 the jury found "That deceased had jumped overboard while temporarily

insane," and complimented the officers of the Penguin on their promptness of action." Information has been received by Superin* tendent Thomson that William Slater, settler, of Okaihau, bad been killed on July 9 in that district, through a tree falling upon him. The usual inquest was to be held. Information han been received by Superin. tendent Thomson from Constable Knight of Papakura, of the sudden death of an old man named Andrew Sturgeon, farmer, at the Globe Hotel, Papakura, on the Kith July under the following circumstances Deceased, who belonged to Bombay settlement, was returning from Auckland iD company with three friends, when they called at the Globe Hotel for tea. Sturgeon had only eaten a little food, when his friends observed he waa either choking or in a fit, and he died in a few minutes. Ho was an old resident, and about 60 years of age. A man named Stewart Wall died at Dunedin on the 10th of July from injuries received by the hangingwall in the mine at Wetherstones falling on him. He leaves a wife and four children. He was insured for £200. A fatal accident occurred on the Otago Central on July 15, when a man named Charles Nixon, was killed by jumping off a truck to put on the break. He appears to have slipped, and a loaded truck passed over him. He is believed to be a widower without family. A young man named Edward Boyce, while out shooting at .Nelson on July 4, shot himself below the shoulder, shattering the collarbone. A sad occurrence happened at New Ply. mouth on the 7th of July. A party of three went on a fishing excursion about nine o'clock, and one of them, Hugh Batchelor, well known as Walker's barman, Imperial Hotel, suddenly dropped his oar, complaining that he felt tired, and fainted. The party made for shore as quickly as possible, but the deceased expired before getting in. His death is supposed to be due to heart disease, Stephen Fisher wa3 crosscutting a log in the Hikutaia bush when it gave way, and fell upon his left le#, breaking it below the thigh. He was brought to the Thames Hospital in a cart. William Barr, farmer at Amberley, died on the (jih July from drinking carbolic acid in mistake lor brandy. A child, 13 months' old, daughter of Thos. George, of Berwick, Otago, was drowned by falling into a tub of water.