ACCIDENTS, ETC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9320, 25 March 1889, Page 9

ACCIDENTS, ETC.

ROCKET EXPLOSION.

A ssEiooa accident happened a<) Otaki, Wellington, on the 18th March. Bockets were being fired from tbe balcony of the Telegraph Hotel, when, by some mischance one shot down Into tho street

and exploded with great force, Foot men, three Europeans and one Maori, whose-names are Walter Grant (aenrvoyor'B labourer), William Maxwell (a labourer), John Robertson, and Te Waifca, nephew of the Hon. Taipua, member for the Maori Western District, were seriously injured, and it is feared that two of the cases will result fatally. Grant and Waitu are the- most seriously hurt, the former haying been pierced, either with a rocket stick or a stone thrown up by tho force of the- explosion,. in -the left breast, the missile passing out on tho other side, infiicting a fearfnl wound, through which part of the -entrails protruded. Wiafca was pierced over the right) lung, presumably by a stoue which it is thought still remains in the wound. The man Maxwell received a. wound on the right temple, and one on tho loft thigh tinder the abdomen, severing an artery; and Robertson was hurt in the right arm, which was severely lacerated, and pierced by some missile. The men wore removed to the hotel, where the

doctors remained in constant attendance daring the night, until the patients were placed in the Wellington Hospital on tho lOfch March. Ib is presumed that tho explosives, which wero ships' rockets, had not been properly directed and lighted. Wm. Maxwell died al> the Hospital, Wellington, on Wednesdayj March 20. Two others are still in a critical condition.

On February 26 a carter named Daniel Elckin, residing in Sumnor-streefe, Mount Eden, met-with injuries which resulted in hia death, under the following circumstances :—Ho was taking a load of timber to a Mr. North, residing in tho same-street. WTiilo leading the horse down Rose-etreefc, which is a rubier steep incline, fehe weight of tho load proved too much for tho horso, pushed liim forward, and caused him to swerve. Elckin lost control of the reins, etaiinhled against a stone, and fell, tho wheel passing over him, bceu-king hia leg, and inliictingothepinjuries. He was conveyed to thellospital on the recommendation of Dr. Wino, who was senfefor and-did sill that could be done at the time. Deceased died at savon p.m. on February 26. An inquest was held by Dr. Philson on February 27, when the jury returned a verdict of " Accidental death."

A middle-aged woman, named Margaret Moher, wasiound doad on Friday, M.urch.ls, in her dwelling, Alexandra-street, under bh<*following tibrcnmetanees, as detailed in the reports of the police, from enquiries made : —lb appears that on fcbc 14th March she Juul tea with her son. Later on her daughter went out, and, returning about ten o'clock, found her mother lying in the corridor, speechless. The son and daughter appear to have gone to bed, leaving her there, and on getting up on the loth March they had another look ab her. This would bo about half-past eighto'clook, and at nine o'clock they came to the conclusion frota her-pallor that she was dead. Dr. Bond, of Symands-street, was sent for, and ho pronounced life to be-extinct.. The police inquired as to whether the woman had been drank, but they were informed that though sho took a glaes of beer now and then they hod not seen her drunk. An inquest on the body was hold on March 10 at the Fitzroy Hotel, Wakcfield-Btreet, before Dr. Philson, coroner. Dr. Bond, who had made a post mortem, examination of the remains of deceased, eaid ho was of opinion that death was due to valvular disease of the heart. Ho found no traces of alcohol in the body, and the liver was healthy. Constable ILearney also gave- evidence, rmd the jury returned a verdict of "Death from natural causes."

The stationmastcr at Otahuhu mob with a serious accident on the 3rd March. While walking in the vicinity of the Manukau Beach no-heard cries of distress, as of some ono drowning. He ran in the direction of the cries, and in the darkness fell over a tolerably high cliff on to the beach below, breaking one of his legs at tho ankle. Mr, Georgo was thus unable to render further " aid. The cries for aid were fortunately heard by others, and a lad who had gotinto difficulties in bathing, rescued from his perilous situation. Mr. George, in addition to tho breaking.of his leg, received a general shaking , biro is now ■ progressing favourably. A coroner's inquest was held on March 13, before Dr. Philson, and a jury, of whom Mr. George Raynes was chosen foreman, ■on the body of William liLchol, who was found dead at his residence in Russell Lane on the previous night. Mr. Michol was 62 years 01 ago, and lived in a house in Russell Lano by himself. From the evidence it appeared that Mrs. McCormick, his daughter, went to him with his tea on Tuesday night, and found him lying- on hia back on a sofa, apparently asleep, with his spectacles on, and a book lying on the iioor, as if it had fallen out of his hand. She called to her father, but received no answer, and becoming frightened, she called a neighbour, Mr. Rowo, and then Dr. Mackellar was sent for, who pronounced life extinct. Dr. Lawry made a post mortem examination, which showed that death resulted from fatty degeneration of the heart. : Tho jury returned a verdict of " Death from natural causes."

On tho 12fch of March as a boy named Cornwell, aged six years, was playing about the fire in his father's residence, Alexandra-street, his clothes caught fire, and ho was severely burned about tho upper part of the body before the ftro was extinguished. He was-removed to the District Hospital, where his injuries were attended to.

Somo time ago wo published some particulars concerning tho aceidenfe-which happened to Mr. Love, manager of tho Whauwhau Coal Company (Whangarei), by which hia hanri g O t badly crushed. Aβ symptoms of fcotanus.seb in it was found necessary to amputate bis arm, notwithstanding his weak condition. Hopes are felt of his recovery. Information has been received by the police authorities of tho drowning at Kennedy's Bay of a boy of four years of age, son of Mr. Thomas Smith, on tbe'2Sth February. The little fellow fell into tho river.

Joseph McOlynn, a professional jockey, about 17, a resident of Iluntly, was killed at Kihikihi on March Iβ while riding in the Kihikihi Cup at the annual races on Anderson Flat. It appears that six horses started, and, when about half way round, the ground gave way, noar an okl culvert, forming a large cockhoic, about 18 inches deep, into which tho horso th-at the deceased was riding got his foot, throwing his rider violently, and roiling over him, causing death. An inquost was held on March 18 before Mr. Thomas Gresham, when a verdict of "Accidental death," caused by a fall when racing, was returned.

James Glass, a native of Sydney, a married man, cook of tho barquo Devonport, was found drowned at Kohukohu, Hokianga, on tho 19th of March. He was Inst eeen in Gedden's Hotel at 10 o'clock on tho previous night. An inquest washeld before the coroner, Mr. Yarborough, when an open verdict was recorded. He was buried on March 20. Tho police authorities havo received a report from the local constable- at Mahurangi of the sudden death of a married woman, on tho 17th instaut, named Mary Jamieson, aged 53. Mrs. Jamieson has been in indifferent health for years past, and had received modical advice in Auckland, though not at fcho timo of her decease. On the night in question she went to bed at the usual hoar, occupying a room by herself. At threo o'clock her sod saw her walking up and down fcho verandah, but did not speak to her. Her husband wont Into the bedroom in tire morning to ascertain how eho was, whon she was found lying in her bed, dead, having apparently died without a struggle An inquest was sub sequently held before Mr. Angove, coroner, when, after hearing tho evidenco adduced, tho jury returned n, verdict of "Death from natural causes."

A child named Helena Elizabeth Jeffereon was scalded to death at Caverahtim on March 20. Ab the inquest the jury returned a verdict accordingly. Two accidents were reported on March 19 at tho Upper Hutt, Wellington. Johnny Mclntosh., a well-known ex-publican, was knocked down by a horeo, which' broke his shoulder badly. Dr. Wilford drove him to his surgery, but on tho way the horao fell on a precipitous road, and both men were thrown out. The doctor was hurt badly, and. tho unfortunate Mclntosh reeei,wd further, /sphere rojurres to. bis head,

Win, Comrrmigs, eleven years of age, died at) Dnnedin on Tuesday, the 26tb February, under chloroform, adamirisfcered for the performance -of a serious operation. The lad was , attended by Drs. Caughtrey and Sevan, and bad on two previous occasions been given a greater quantity of anfesthetic without fll results. Every care was taken, Dr. Sevan administering' the chloroform, and. Dr. Catiphtrey operating, bat the patient died from syncope of the heart daring the operation. An inquest was held at Kennedy'si Bay on the body of the little drild, Henry ThosJ Smith, found drowned there, It was held by Mr. Swindley, and an open verdict was returned. The child was last seen alive by # Constablo Rist, when he was on duty in the afternoon near the mills, and he saw the little follow playing about some twenty yards from where the body was discovered, Mrs. Ann Ross was found dead in her* bed at South Dunedin on March 1. Hetf husband, a labourer, is working at the Taieri. A seven-year-old daughter of deceased elept with her, and on waking up to take the milk in, found her mother dead alongside her. At tho inquest, a verdict of death from natural causes was returned. A boy named Bernard Collins was drowned on March 1 in the Wanganui River, at Aromoho, about two miles from town. He was seen to come to tho surface three times by his little brother. The police liave been: dragging for the body all day, hub so far unsuccessfully. It is believed he gob an attack of cramp. A lad named John Penncll, son of MrRalph Pennell, of Owharoa, was thrown from his horse on March 4 while racing. He received internal injuries, which were not at first supposed to bo serious, but of which he on March 5 expired. An inquest was held, when a verdict of "Accidental death" was returned. A very sudden death took place At 'Te Kuiti on the 4th March. A navvy named George Sheriff, on returning from, his work, cleaned himself, and then sat down and died almost instantaneously. It is presumed the causeof death was disease*. A telegram has been received by Inspector Broham from Constable Rist, of Coromandel, relative to the sadden death of* an infant, Clara May Whitehead. An inquest was held by Mr. Swindley, J.P., and after hearing the evidence a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes " was recorded. A married woman named Margaret- Ast*' ridge having died suddenly at Wellington: -under circumstances- which led tho coroner to hold an inquest, tlie latter took place on the 9th of March. In the medical examination evidence incriminating someone was adduced, but the inquest was adjourned. The inquiry was continued on the 11th of March. Evidence was given that the deceased had visited a midwife, and had made statements to her husband and sister-in-law that painful operations had been performed upon her. The Coroner, addressing tho jury, said he was bound to tell them that the allegations against the midwife mentioned in the evidence wore based on statements not evi-. dence. The jury returned a verdict, " That deceased died of blood poisoning caused by miscarriage brought on by abortion, bub there was no evidence to show by wham caused." At the inquest at Christchurch on the 12th March on David Grange, who died on the Oth March from an overdose of chlorodyne, it was shown that deceased had been in the habit of drinking a small bottleful at one dose without effect. He bas-recently used larger-sized bottles to induce sleep. A verdict of " Died from an overdose of 1 poison taken inadvertently" was returned. A man named named Robert J. Smith ! sustained a fatal accident at Hokitika. on the 6th March. While engaged prospecting in a shaft, deceased and his mate found the rope used too short*, and borrowed from a neighbour. His mate ! thought the ropo not strong enough, bub ' Smith resolved to try it. When down 50 ■ feet the rope broke, and the unfortunate man fell tho remaining 50 feeb to the bottom. He was very much injured when got out after some time, and died whilst being conveyed to the hospital. Robert Wood mas, a farmer, aged 46, at Trentham, Upper Ilutt, fell dead on the 12bh March. He had been ailing for some time. While crossing Fox's River, between Brighton and-Charleston, near Westport, on March 9, in a chair, tho rope broke and three occupants were thrown into the stream and carried out to sea by tho flood. They wero named William Ryan, aired 50, John Kevin, aged 12, Margaret Kevin, aged 5. The bodies have not "been recovered. A heavy rain flooded tho rivera The mothor of tho children Niven witnessed the accident from the river bank. The children were crossing to milk cows, and Ryan was assisting to draw the-cage across. Ryan was an excellent swimmer, and would probably have saved his own life if ho had not attempted to rescue the boy Niven. On the 9th March Mr. T. Dawson, telegraphist, Wanganui, and Mr. E. Newing, farmer, went out in the boating club tab Floundering. The tub was found on the 10th March bottom up. Dawson has been in the service over twenty years, and has made a name for himself as the discoverer of the easiest route known to reach - tho top of Mount Egmont. Newing was a young man living at Manaia, and was-on a visit to Dawson. Both bodies have been recovered. It will be remembered that some time ago the elder son of Mr. W. R. Bridgman was accidentally shot in the calf of the leg by his younger brother. The latter had been out shooting, and was carrying the gun into tho bedroom, when by some accident it exploded, and lodged its contents into the brother's leg. Since that) date the young man, tho victim of the accident,.has been confined to bed, and a considerable number of shots have been removed from the injured leg. It was found, notwithstanding, necessary to amputate tho leg below the knee, and this lias been dorta by Drs. Girdler, Mackellar, and Roberton. An inquest wis held at Tuapeka touching the death of a man whoso nam© is unknown. Be is believed to havo come from the North, and hod been harvesting before at Oamaru. While at work harvesting on the farm of Henry Baird he foil, and died shortly afterwards, death resulting from venous congestionof the brain. Nothing whatever was found to lead to his identification. In his swag were threo photographs, ono being his own, taken by Mr. 'liver White. Deceased appeared to be about 45 or 50, was about 5 feet finches, medium build, brown hair, moustache, whiskers, turning grey. A boat- accident happened ip the Invercargill estuary on March 19, by which it is supposed that a young man named John Cranley was drowned. Four members of the Railway wing-Club wentout an in rigged skrffTot practice. A gusty north wind was blowing in line of the channel, and tho evening-was most unsuitable for such. The boat seems to havo done well enough while going with the wind, but on returning the water got in through a rent in the canvas-deck for-' ward, and the boat began to fill. The flats wero bare, and they made for tho bank, but the skiff went from under them. Cranley secured an oar, and mado'for the mud flat; the others joined hands over the bottom of tlie boat, and held on till rescued about an hour after. Hall, ono of the crew, was saved by coxswain Hawko -swimming after him and bringing him back to tho boat* When they had time to look round Cranley had disappeared, and as the banks were close ho -weald have been seen if he had reached thom, so that there is little room to hope that ho escaped. C ran ley was -r good swimmer. A fatal accident occurred at Goldsborough, near Hokitika, on Thursday, the Mth March. The wife of Edward McCormick, miner, went to a shed to milk a cow. Her children discovered her a lew minutes afterwards, and saw her in a sitting position motionless. They gave the-alarm, and she was found quite dead, apparently; kicked on tho templo by the cow. Tho body of a man named James- Clarke was found in a .small stream near Wood-, ville, Wellington, on the H>th March. Deceased had stripped and left his clothes-on; tho main road and thrown himself into the stream in two feet of water. He was evidently suffering from the effects of a drink--ing bout. A verdict of "Found drowned" was returned. An inquest was held at Hamilton on tho 4th March on the body of J. P. S lattery, who has been working as a gardener at the Hamilton Hotel tor the last two or three weeks. As he did not get up as usual on the 3rd of March, his door was forced, ami he was found lying dead in bed. ilia watch had been wound up, and his pipe laid' beside tho bed, and fclie body showed that life must have passed away without theslightest struggle. A verdict of " Dearth^ , natural causes ''-was r^uraed.

A very painful accident happened on the 21st of March to Mr. Henry White, of the Valley Road, as £« was driving home in his trap, Ho was taiLng borne in the conveyance soma sheets of corrugated iron, and the noise they made frightened the horse, making it bolt. The outcome " W3S that Mr. White was thrown oat, and one of the wheels grazed hi& skull so closely as to almost sever his right ear. Dr. Roberfcoc was called in to attend the wounded man, and stitched tbo ear up again. A boy, Percy Harris, was killed at Gisborne on the 20 th March. He was riding a quiet horse bareback, holding the tether rope attached to the horse's neck on his arm. The boy foil, and started the horse, which bolted. The rope coiled round the lad's body, and he was dragged about 500 yards across a paddock studded with tree stumps. When the horse stepped the boy was dead. His body was fearfully mutilated. On Tuesday, the 12th March, a well-known miner (who has lived in the Nelson district hirty-five years), named John Tarrant, sixty years of age, was lying in his hut at ' Mauria, 1 '20 miles from here, when a trey j fell, crashing through the hue and crushing j his 1 cirri and pinning him down. He lay j unable to move, with nothing to eat or j drink, till the 17th March, when his fearful j plight "was discovered. Messrs. Walker, Kerr, ami some miners inside a stretcher, | and carried him tort) - miles to the coach road, and then drove him into town to the hospital. It is feared he will lose both his legs.