ACCIDENTS, ETC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9027, 4 November 1892, Page 10

ACCIDENTS, ETC.

& MOTHER AND FOUR CHILDREN

DROWNED. A vest sad and distressing occurrence took place near Dargaviile on October 8, resulting in the death by drowning of a mother and four of her children.

It appears that a Mrs. Goldsboro, tho wife of a gumdigger, accompanied by four children, aged 7, 9, 111, and 14 years respectively, was returning home, and in crossing a boom log in the Mangapai Creek, about 15 miles above Dargaviile, was, together with the children, precipitated into the water and drowned. It is supposed that the log rolled over, and that they lost their balance. The accident was witnessed by a little child of three years of age, who, on the return of the father some time afterwards, informed him of what had occurred, and on search being made all the bodies were found under the logs. - At an inquest held on October 10 before Mr. Dargaviile, coroner, a verdict of '* Accidentally drowned" was returned. THE WHANGAREI DISASTER. Whangakki, October 12. The body of Mr. Cliff Wilson was picked op by Mr. Monro's boat last night, just before dark, on the bank behind Snake Spit. He had all his clothes on, except his boots. The body was brought to the town wharf by Mr. Steadman between 9 und 10 last night. The face is very much disfigured. Mr. Brooker's coat was also picked tip. October 13. The body of Mr. Albert Brooker was picked up this morning on the beach in Smuggler's Bay, outside the heads by Mr. Aubrey. He had only his trousers and undershirt on when found. The inquest will be held this afternoon. October 14. The body of Mr. H. F. Sea ley was picked op last night, between One Tree Point and Marsden Point, on the beach, at seven o'clock. He was identified by his clothes. His face was terribly disfigured. The funeral of Mr. Albert Brooker took place to-day. October 15. A body, supposed to be that of Albert Tucker, was found at Ngungurn, on the beach, about 15 miles north of Whangarei Heads. Mr. J. Bell, coroner, goes to Ngunguru to hold the inquest. The body of A. Gallic was also found near Whangarei Heads this morning. October 17.

The impression of a body was found on the Waipa beach, and pieces of flesh were noticed about the place. Evidently one of the bodies from the late disaster bad been -washed ashore and been carried out to sea igain. A. Gallie's funeral took place yesterday.

We regret to have to record an accident of a somewhat serious character which occurred between three and four p.m. on the 14th October in Parneli to Mr. Robert Martin, a brother of Mr. James Martin, 'bus and cab proprietor. Robert Martin bad mounted a young mare which had been ridden for the first time by himself on the previous day. No sooner was he in the saddle, and the mare led outside the stable by Mr. James Martin, than the animal reared up and fell backwards on her rider. He was picked up in an insensible condition, and it was noticed that blood was issuing from one of his ears. He was carried into the office, and a messenger was promptly despatched for medical assistance. Dr. Coom arrived very promptly, and after doing what was necessary, be had the young man removed to Mr. James Martin's house for treatment

A somewhat serious accident befel Mr. Jahn, of Mount Nessing, on October 14. As far as can be gathered he tied his horse up to the gate of old St. Thomas's, where bis daughter is buried, and the horse rearing, struck him a heavy blow on the head with its fore foot, and trampled upon him. Mr. Jahn must have lain some time before the 'bus passed. The 'bus took word on to St. John's College. Mr. Smallfield, the principal, and Mr. E. H. Barber, one of the masters, who is also secretary of the St. John Ambulance Association, went at once to the scene of the accident. Mr. Jahn was found to be cub about a good deal, but still conscious. Mr. Smallfield, Mr. Barber, and Mr. Bramley, bead boy of the College, carried him to Mr. Bedford's, while Professor Carrollo, who was also on the scene, rode off to Auckland to procure a doctor. After about two hours Dr. Davy and Mrs. Jahn arrived, and Mr. Jahn was placed in a cab, and Dr. Davy and Mr. Barber brought) him on to his home.

On the 12th October Mr. A. Andrews, dairyman, of Mount Roskill, met with a serious accident. He wan getting into his trap, at Valley Road, having the reins in his bands, when the horse bolted. The result was that he gob entangled with the reins, was , dragged along for some yards, and gob kicked in the bead. He was found lying on the road by Mr. White, and removed to his home. Dr. Roberton was called in, and attended to Mr. Andrews' which were somewhat serious. A serious accident happened to Mr. T. Hartly, whilst proceeding in a buggy from Cambridge bo Pukerima, with Messrs. J. Wilson and W. R. C. Walker, on Thursday evening, October IS, about seven o'clock. When going down the Cambridge hill the horse ran away, capsizing the buggy, and throwing out the occupants. Mr. Hartly had two ribs and bis cheekbone broken by the fall, the other two gentlemen escaping with only a severe shaking. The buggy was considerably smashed about, the hood being completely torn off _ Two accident cases were brought to the District Hospital on Oct. 21. The first was a young man, named John Conway, from Wbaagarei, suffering from a fracture of the leg j: while the second was Mr. Thomas Mitchell, a milkman, who* horse took fright in a trap while he was driving in Valley Road, Mount Eden, bolted, and one of the wheels passed over his thigh, causing a compound fracture of the limb. * J

S> A nasty accident happened to a little boy, named Bertie Reynolds, who is living with Mr. J. McMillan, Cambridge, on Oot. 17. It appears he was riding a young pony, when it threw him off" in some way, inflicting a very deep cut from under one ear to just below the other, with the side of its shoe as it passed over him. The jaw-bone was left bare in one place, and the root of the tongue could be seen. If the cut had been an inch lower he must have bled to death. Dr. Waddington was called, and put seven stitches in the wound. A child of six years, the daughter of Mr. Smith, Trafalgar-street, Onehunga, was severely burned on Oct. 19. She was standing near the fire when the flames caught her pinafore, and before they could be extinguished she was considerably injured. Remedies were applied by Dr. Eraon, and the child is progressing favourably. Our Mahurangi correspondent, writing on Oct. 24, says:—With great regret I have to place on record a very serious accident) which betel our local disciple of Escuiapius, Dr. Shoesmith, through his horse kicking him on the thigh, breaking the bone. A sad accident occurred at the Thames on Tuesday evening, the Ist November, whereby a little boy, about two years and nine months old, the youngest son of Mr. William McConnell, of Block 27, was drowned in the County Water-race. The little fellow was last seen alive playing in close proximity to the race about half past three in the afternoon, and it is surmised that he fell into the race shortly afterwards whilst playing with water. Great sympathy is felt for Mr. McConnell in his bereavement, especially as it is only about four months since he buried his wife. At the inquest a verdict of " Found drowned" was returned.

Denny Mahoney, a workman employed on McLean and Sons' Rotorua railway contract, was killed on October 31 by a fall of earth. Death was instantaneous, deceased's neck having been broken. Mahoney - wjis a married man, his wife find three children residing in Auckland. A settier named Hugh Black, flax dresser, was drowned in the Whakapipi Creek, near Tuakau, a tributary to the Waikato River, on Monday evening, October 24, at 5.30, while conveying green flax in a canoe to his mill. fie left his mill after dinner on October 24 to cut some flax, and also to secure some, bundles which had floated away on the fresh. As he did not return home for some while after his usual time at night, his family became alarmed, and at eight o'clock called upon the next neighbour, Mr. Lawrence Geraghty, who with Messrs. W. and A Gill went down the creek as far as they could, but found no signs of him, although they came to the place where he had been cutting. They then obtained Messrs. Abbott's horse and cart, and went to Tuakau station, over two miles, for Messrs. Oldham's boat, and being joined by several other men, went down the creek and found Mr. Black's canoe with his coat and paddle in it. As this was after midnight, and very dark, nothing more could be done. A strong party started on October 25 with the necessary grappling irons to search for the body, and it was found during the forenoon. Deceased was about 45 years of age. A gardener named Thomas King had a narrow escape from drowning on Oct. 23. He was out on the HamilfconUbake by himself in a Rob Roy canoe, to fill his pipe when the sail got overboard and in pulling ib in the canoe capsized, precipitating King into the water. King ultimately reached the shore, but declares he could not have swum a dozen yards further, having his clothes and boots on.

A human leg-bone, two boots, and a coat, have been found on the New Brighton Peach. The coat has been identified as that of John Cockle, who was in the boat Waratah, lost off Sumner three weeks ago. One of the boots has been identified as belonging to Nuttall, another of the crew of that boat.

Intelligence from Fiji is to the effect that Mr. W. E. Giles (nephew of Dr. Giles, R.M., of this city), his wife and two children, together with a native sergeant of police and two Fijian prisoners, are supposed to have been drowned in a vessel which foundered off Lomaloma Island, Fiji, on the l'2th Sept. They were at the time of the supposed accident proceeding to Mango, with the object of meeting the Union Steamship Company's &.S. Maori An oar and part of the boat has beeo picked up, afro a box belonging to Mr. Giles, in the locality. When the boot started the weather was fine, bat a heavy blow set in afterwards. Mr. Gils? was formerly a resident in Auckland, aod a dealer in imported frail until lately, when he left for the islands.

Alexander Mowat, of Altimarloeh, Marlborough, sheep farmer, was «rioo*ly injured in a buggy accident, and brought into Blenheim on October 9. The accident was of a most serious nature, the intestines protruding. John Commander, aged 23, manager of Nelson Brothers' slaughtering works, Blenheim,was thrown from bis horse on his return from the Hunt Club races, at Spring Creek, on Oct. 8. He never recovered consciousness, and died in two hours, the skull being fractured, and the neck partially dislocated. Before Dr. Alexander arrived from Blenheim life was extinct. Deceased received a Masonic funeral on October 11. He was a member of Lodge Kiilarncy, Irish Constitution.

A young man named Alfred E. Cook was out shooting in a boat at Makara on Oct. 9. When stepping ashore Arthur Cook, a boy of 1$ took the gun from the boat by the muzzle, and the trigger caught the seat, lodging a charge in the breast of his brother. He merely exclaimed, " I'm shot," and died.

A native was killed while bush falling on Sir Walter Buller'a station at Ohau on October 20. A man named Quinn, who was working with the native, was also severely injured, and was brought into Wellington Hospital at night. A lad named Alfred Philpotts, son of a storekeeper at Picton, died in the Hospital on October 25 whilst under chloroform administered to remove a dead bone from his leg. Three medical men were present, and everything was done to restore animation, without success. On October 25 a middle-aged man named William Johnson, came from Napier in the Talune, and intended going to England In the Rimutaka, fell down in Oxford-street, Lyttelton, and died almost immediately, The cause of death was rupture of an artery. At an early hour on Oct. 25 information was given to the Nelson police that an old man named George Mattnews, aged 78, had been found lying dead on the floor of the stokehole of a malt-house where the deceased was employed. Serious wounds were found on the back of his head, and the brain matter was protruding, At the inquest a verdict of "Death from an accidental fall" was returned.

A man named Ericksen, a Swede, was found dead in his hut on the north beach, Westport, where he worked as a miner. Deceased some years back was a seaman on the 8.8. Orowaiti. He is believed to have been unmarried. * Heavy rains and floods "were experienced ab Greymouth and neighbourhood on Oct. 16. Patrick Rogers was smothered by the inrushing of water to the manhole of the tunnel at Duffer's Creek ; the other men escaped by the tunnel. At the inquest on the body of Kum Sue, Dr. Mullin, of Dunedin Hospital, gave evidence that the nature of the disease was doubtful. The deceased was examined by nearly all the medical staff, and while some of those who saw him said it was a case of leprosy, others were doubtful. The post-mortem appearance of the deceased was compatible with a case of leprosy. His reason for nob reporting the case to the Board of Health was that he would be very unwilling to start a scare without having better grounds to work upon. The jury brought in a verdict to the effect that the deceased died from natural causes, adding the following rider :—" That all similar cases of a doubtful character should be reported to the Board of Health."

The body of a young man named James McCallum, who went yachting at Wellington on Monday, the 17th October, has been found at Day's Bay, on the opposite side of the harbour. The deceased's parents reside at Kaiwarra, and he was a brother to the McCallum injured in the Shelley Bay explosion. The boat was purchased in Auckland a few months ago, and was -decked, about 30 feet long, with 8 feet beam. From further particulars to hand, it appears that McCallum was accompanied by John Davis and a boy named John McGregor. When the boat reached Day's Bay, McCallum and McGregor pub off in a small flat-bottomed punt, which soon afterwards capsized. McCallum lost his hold, and was drowned, bub McGregor clung to the boat till it floated ashore. .

An inquest was held at Christchurch on Monday, the 17th October, on the bodies picked up on the new Brighton Beach. They were identified as the remains of John Cockle, one of the men drowned in the Sumner boating accident. No now facts were elicited, and the jury returned the following verdict :— The jury is unanimous in opinion that the remains produced are part of the remains of John Cockle, aud that John Cockle was drowned."

A settler named Peter Wootten, residing at Paraparaumu, near Wellington, entered an outhouse on Thursday night, October 13, in search of blasting powder, when a spark from the candle he was carrying ignited the explosive, and he was blown out of the building. He was burned about the head and chest, and sent to town for medical treatment.

William Campbell, fishmonger, was thrown out of his cart, and .sustaining a severe fracture of the skull, died at the Dunedin Hospital on October 18. On the 26th October the body of Charles Thomas Barnard, an elderly man, who was suffering from cancer in the face, was found in the river Avon, Christchurch. He left his home at St. Albans at an early hour on the 23rd October. At the inquest a verdict of Found drowned" was returned.

A resident of Otautau, near Invercargill, named Coughlan, was handling a revolve*, not knowing it was loaded, when it went oft, the ball entering the fore part of his head. An operation of trepanning was performed, and the bullet was removed in a flattened state from impact with the bone. The man is doing well, and there is every prospect of his recovery. Whilst climbing about on the rocky bank of the Deep Stream, Duuedin, on Oct. 28, two young ladies, members of one of the numerous parties who went out on excursion, discovered the remains of a man lying face downwards on the edge, about eight feet above the river. He had evidently met his death by falling down the cliff, as the rock above had been stripped of grass. The body had evidently been in the place for some months, as hawks and rats had completely denuded the head, back, legs, and arms of flesh. The body is supposed to be that of Cummock, an engineer, who left a quartz reef in the locality some months ago, and ha 3 not since been heard of. At the inquest on the body the relatives of Cummock failed to identify it as his. A fatal accident happened at Petone on October 28 to a throe-year child named Lily Dawson. She was playing about a cart unperceived by the driver, and when the vehicle started the wheel went over her head, death supervening in a few hours. A man named Durant, a maltster, was found dead at Dovedale, Nelson. The cause is not known.

As a Maori, name unknown, and a European named William Quinn, were bushfelling on Sir Walter Buller s property at Ohau, a tree fell and struck the native on the head, smashing in his skull, and inflicting such injuries that he died within five minutes.

John Muirhead, aged fifty, employed on the railway line near Hyde, Otago, died on Sunday morning, October 30, from severe barns about tho head. Deceased had gone to bed on Saturday night leaving a candle burning, and shortly afterwards his tent was found to be on fire.

On arrival of the Manapouri at Bluff on Oct. 31, Mrs. Louis Rodgers, wife of a bookseller and stationer, at one time in a large way of business in Invercargill, was stepping ashore, when she dropped dead, it is supposed from heart disease. She had been on a visit to her husband, who has been in business at Zeehan.

An inquest was held at Orakau on Friday, October 14, before Mr. Thomas Gresham, and a jury of six, of which Mr. John Hutchinson was chosen foreman, on the body of Mrs. Jane Baker, wife of T. Baker, a settler residing in the Block House, The evidence of Mr. Adam VVyld Pairman, a student of the University of Edinburgh, showed a clear and careful diagnosis of the symptoms treated during the four Weeks of the deceased's illness, and it was his opinion, and that of .Dr. John Kerr, of Hamilton, •who was present at the inquiry at the instance of the coroner, that death was caused by the failure of the heart's action, which was in a feeble state for want of sufficient nourishment. The jury, after a short deliberation, returned & verdict in accordance with the evidence.