TRAGIC "FIRST AID."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17853, 6 August 1921, Page 2 (Supplement)

TRAGIC "FIRST AID."

A strange incident at a Leeds barracks came to light at the inquest on Horace Smith, a member of the Defence Corps. Smith was having 60up in the messroom when he swallowed a small mutton bone, which became lodged in his throat. Efforts to rrmnve ii proved unavailing so his comrades pushed it down Ins throat. Medical evidence showed that, death was due to an abscess in the throat arising irom the bone. °

In conversation Captain Jones actually could not remember the name of the Derby winner, and kept saying : " Let me see, what's that horse's name? " After many protests about discussing his good fortune, Captain Jones said : Wife Wouldn't Believe It. " T am beginning to realise that money means trouble. Do you know," he continued, with a slight Walsh accent, " I had a letter from l Mrs. Jones this morning in reply to a wire I Uad sent saying I held drawn the, winning ticket. All she said was that she did not believe it. Mr. Hus.sey rang me tip from the city the night before list and sa.id : ' Do you know that you have drawn m the Calcutta Sweep ' — let me see, what is the name of the horse again? " Humorist," prompted the interviewer. " That's right, I have never put a penny on anything else in my life before and never been in a single sweepstake, and I said to Mr. Husscy : ' Do I get my money back ? He replied: Don't you realise that you are one of the luckiest men. in the world today? " I did not let it excite me. When T got back to my hotel the next day 1 found guests there who knew all about racing and that sort of thing. Discussing the Derby they told mo that—let me see, "hat's the name of that horse again?— Yes, Humorist, that's right—they told me that had won. T simply sat tight and said nothing. This morning, when they were discussing' it at bieakfast, one of the gentlemen said that Mr. Stark, according to a newspaper, had won the Calcutta Sweep. Then I thought it was time to say something. ' Kxcus© trie," I said, ' he has not won it.' Co). Scott Allen, who was one of the company, said jokingly : " Well, Captain Jones, did you win it? ' I replied," continued Mr. Jones, as gravely as if he bad been giving evidence in a Court. " Since you have asked me a straight question I must give you a straight answer; I have won it, and I have the ticket in my pocket! A regular uproar followed, and" in the middle of it 1 bolted through the door." No Celebration. Captain Jones was asked how he celebrated tiis victory. He said : "On the night liefore last when I had drawn Humorist. I knew I had a good chance, but I simply had my dinner in the hotel as usual and went for a walk in Hyde Park.'' " But." interrupted interviewer, " what about last night," when you knew you had won? " " Oh, I did the same thing, went for a walk in the Park, but sat down and listened to the band as well." Captain Jones further stated that he had been a total abstainer all his life and knocked off smoking 12 years ago. As an indication of earlier good fortune he mentioned that when seven years old he fell over a cliff 60 feet high on" to the stone below, and was unconscious for two hours, but went to school as usual next morning! "My motto now," ho continued, "is business as usual." " T have not the slightest intention of severing mv connection with the Union Castle Mail' Service." June 1 is a lucky day for Captain Jones. In addition to winning the Calcutta. Sweep he was appointed to the position of assistant marine superintendent at Orchard Mouse with Hie Upioa Castle. Lino,