ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1367, 12 May 1898, Page 35

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES

An accident of a serious character occurred on the Hutt road last week, when two ladies sustained injuries. It appears that Mrs Downey, who lives at the Hutfc, aud Mrs McKmnon, a resident of Petone, were driving along in a epiing trap when their horse took fnght at an approaching train near Ngahauranga. Both ladies were considerably aiarmed, and jumped out of the vehicle, Mra McKinnou breaking her arm and collarbone, Mrs Downey getting cut about the head, and receiving other injuries. A little girl, who was in the trap afc the time, alto jumped out, but escaped without injury. The trio were picked up by 5 a trap and taken to Petone, where Dr Ross attended Mrs Downey and Mrs McKinuonat the hitter's residence. An inquest was held by Mr J. Ashoroft on Saturday on the body of Edward Draper, farmer, of Judgeford, in tha Pahautanui district, who committed suicide on Friday. Mr iWid Galloway was foreman of the jury. Mary Draper, wife of the deceased, stated that Draper was owner of the farm on which they lived. He had been speaking rather strangely < during the iast fortnight, saying that he wished someone would shoot him, and he thought that he would do away with himself. Deceased believed that he had paid too much for a section of land he had purchased. At 5 o'clock on Friday morning ho got up and went into the porch, and, apprehending that something would happen, she ran off and called some of the neighbours. On returning they found that deceased had gashed himself in several places about the throat. He waa then in the kitchen, and blood was pouring from the wounds. James Pearce, Joseph Smith and Dr Purdy also gave evidence. It appeared that deceased lived nearly an hour after cutting his throat. A vordict of suicide while in a state of temporary insanity was returned. Miss Mitchell, one of the teachers at the Willis street School, while conducting some scientific experiments en Friday afternoon, received injuries to one of her eyes of a nature serious enough to necessitate medical attendance. The football match at Petone on Saturday between the local team and the Ponekes was retpoDsible for an unfortunate accident, Mr W. Wallace, captain of the Ponekes, getting a small bone in one of his legs fractured, Dr Perry attended to the sufferer, who was placed on an ambulance and carried to Mr Bradshaw's Hotel. The immediate cause of the accident was not quite clear, but it was either through colliding with an opposing forward or losing his balance and falling. Information was on Monday received here of the sudden death of a young man named John Foothead, aged 22, at Awahuri, on Sunday morning. Deceased was a plumber, and was working at the Hon Mr Johnston's house. The cause of death is believed to be heart diesase. A fire occurred at Foxton between 8 and 9 o'clock on Sunday night, when Mr G. Colley's flax store containing fibre was burned down. The value of building and contents was .£l5O. Nothing was saved. There was no insurance on stock or building. Incendiarism is suspected, An outbreak of fire among some sacks of lime near the Wesleyan Church in UpperMolesworth street last Monday night became sufficiently dangerous to require the services of the Brandon street Brigade. On their arrival at the scene any prospect of the flames spreading to the adjoining houses was averted. (Lf Nelson, May 4.

* The supposition that Mr John Kerr, formerly M.H.B. for Waimaa, had been drowned on Lake Wairaea proves to be only too true. His body was recovered today.

Mr Kerr had been on the lake two days laying nets for fish, and on Monday went out in a punt to attend to the nets, when evidently he stood up and overturned the punt, which struck hitn on the forehead. His body was found nine feet under water 50 feet from shore.

A serious shooting accident occurred in the valley yesterday. A lad named Bertie Evans accidentally shot Mr Arthur Inn.es Jones in the right shoulder-blade, inflicting a large gaping wound and shattering the bone. Both were after pigs, and were ascending a hill, Jones in front and Evans following. The sufferer has been brought to the hospital. Eatal results are not apprehended.

Masterton, May 4. A seven-roomed house at Manaia was completely destroyed by fire this afternoon. The building was occupied by T. Corapton, and was insured in the North Bristol office for .£IOO, and the furniture for £6Q. Very little was saved.

Patea, May 6. The stables of the Albion Hotel were burnt down this morning. A trap and other contents were also destroyed. The insurance was only =£loo. Wanganui, May 6 A settler named James Caldwell, of Makirikiri, was run over by a dray this afternoon. He was taken to the hospital and died there to-night. He was 43 years of age, and leaves a wife and family. Auckland, May 6. A. fire occured this morning in a building in G-rey street owned by Mr Neumegan, pawnbroker, and occupied by Sam Kee, lauudryman, and four other Chinamen. Two Chinamen, named Willy Wah (aged 60) and Sing Wing (aged 30), were burned to death. When one of the bodies was being carried over the verandah the structure collapsed, and the body and four constables fell through. Sergeant Clark, who fell underneath, was injured on the leg, and had his head cut by a sheet of iron. The shops were owned by Mr Neumegan and insured in the National for .£SOO. The contents of Sam Kee's laundry were uninsured. The stock and furniture of Mr dat field, cabinetmaker, was also uninsured. S rgear.t Clark in big fall from tho verandah broke a pinion t<i \.l-, rimit hipbone. C-'iisttiVilo OoiitSi-'LI"., who wu.j a'jo injured, id coniiin d to his tu*d. \ iflchiro iii '• M •■•v-nl y " \v»<; tri'-er 1 ;rt", vre-kb.--' i.Ur.'!.'.?, :\ !i -.v \l to v B nvr.W; >-- ~ Of }V '.V.. |.-„ iM J.;,.,..: : -y ;,rA <::!, !.;.;,, lq.j Yy*. JJAuruber i.-i tho c.h-Jr. There wa;; a. large attond»n<:o, end at thu close o) tho koiuro Mr xi«lli*eii was heartily tail&vU.