FARMHAND KILLED

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25001, 18 September 1944, Page 4

FARMHAND KILLED

PINNED BENEATH SLEDGE ENGAGED GATHERING WOOD (0.C.) DARGAVILLE, Sunday An elderly farm hand was found dead underneath a horse-drawn sledge on a farm near Dargaville shortly after noon today. He was Mr John Porter, aged 76, single, of Dargaville. Mr Porter was employed by Mr R. A. Powell on a farm at Bayly's Beach, Dargaville. He was using the sledge to gather wood at the back of the property and when found was pinned beneath part pf it. The two horses were standing quietly in their harness, and the sledge was laden with wood. An inquest will be opened tomorrow before Mr J. A. McLean, coroner. DEATH BY DROWNING PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEE (0.C.) TAURANGA, Saturday A fatality occurred at Lower Kaimai, the victim being Mr John Edward Ormsley, public works employee, of Wairoa, aged 38, married, with eight children. Mr Ormsley with others was engaged in building a culvert 15 miles from Tauranga. He left his work, and when he did not return after ten minutes a search was made. He was found lying face downwards in a drain with 4iu to 6in of water in it. It is thought that lie slipped or fell over a stone wall into the drain, a I drop of 14ft. A finding that death was due to drowning following concussion was returned by the district coroner, Mr C. T. McFarlane, at the inquest held today.

FATE OF WORKER LOST FROM A LAUNCH (P.A.) NELSON, Saturday At 12.30 o'clock this morning Mr David Ki Banks, married, of Upper Takaka, was lost overboard from a launch three miles off Croisilles Harbour. Mr Banks was one of a party of ten Works Department employees which left Nelson between 7 and 8 o'clock last evening on Mr C. Jacobsen's launch Noelene to carry out work at Stephen's Island. There was quite a strong westerly wind blowing, and the sea was fairly rough. Mr Banks went out on deck, anil Miss Molly Jacobsen, daughter of the launch-owner, who was also on deck at the time, saw him fall over the rail. She was quite close to Mr Banks, and had she known there was any danger of his going overboard she could have caught hold of him. Miss Jacobsen immediately told her father, who was in the wheelliouse steering. The launch was turned about and searched for the missing man for an hour and a-half without result. The launch went on to French Pass, and the accident was reported to the Nelson police. THREE WOMEN INJURED CAR COLLIDES WITH POLE Three women were injured about five o'clock yesterday afternoon when the motor-car in which they were travelling along Kohimarama Road. Kohimarama, became out of control and collided with a power pole. They were Mrs Elsa Kusabs, aged 31, of 1 "Greenfield Road, Epsom, who suffered concussion and a fractured shoulder; Miss Nola Ldgmton, aged 25, schoolteacher, of 94 Kohimarama Road; and Miss Joyce Street, aeed 25, a member of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force, whose home is at Otunui, near Taumarunui. Both Miss Ldginton and Miss Street suffered concussion and lacerations. The three women were admitted to the Green Lane Hospital.

BOY STRUCK BY TRUCK A fractured thigh and abrasions were suffered by .Ronald Eric Kevte, aged eight of 3 England Street, tonsonby, when lie was knocked down by a motortruck at the foot of College Hill on Saturday morning. He was admitted to the Auckland Hospital. INJURY TO GIRL'S EYE HAMILTON, Sunday A small 'girl, Margaret Alma Brieskie, aged 10. daughter oE Mr Leslie Bneskie, of Matamata, was admitted to the Waikato Hospital this afternoon suffering from a penetrating wound to the left eye. The child had been playing with a knife at her home when the blade snapped and flew up into her face. THIS WEEK'S COUPONS Ration coupons available this week are:— Meat (ration Is lid weekly, H coupon worth Bd, others 3d; child's ration 3s weekly, J coupon 6d). —Nos. 46 and 47. Butter (ration Boz weekly, each coupon 8oz). —Nos. 47 and 48, available until October '!. Sugar (ration 31b monthly, each coupon 12oz).—Nos. 45 to 48, inclusive, available until October 1. Tea (ration Boz monthly, each coupon 2m). —Nos. 45 to 48. inclusive, available until October 1. Petrol (ration half face value of coupon).—No. 3, available until September 30.