Accidents and Fatalties.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXIV, Issue 7494, 18 April 1899, Page 1

Accidents and Fatalties.

(l'.Y TELEGRAPH )

Dunedin, April 17

Tho man whose body wan found iu tho bush at Mount Cargill appears to have ended his days a stranger in a strange land. Tho body was identiiicd as that of a Spanish or Portuguese sailor on the American barque Norwood. He could not speak a word of English. Ho was kindly treated by tho captain, but it is-said that tho rest of tho crew were rather rough on him through his iuability to make himself understood. Ho ran away from tho ship while fiho was in Dunedin, but want of food caused him to return. He was put to work, but ran away again, and after tho ship left was found sleeping out of doors and suffering from want) of food. He was kindly treated by a lafly connected with the Sailors' Rest), but about six weeks ago disappearod. He had evidently lLhtotE a fire in tho bush, but there was no sign of food. There was nothing outwardly to indicato tho cause of death, and tho medical evidei co indicated it vrM probably acceleratod by exposure and want of food. A verdict of found doad was returned.

Nawbk, April 17.

An inquest was hold to-day on tho body of Maud Payne, four years of age, who died at the hospital from the effect of burns through her clothes catching fire. Auckland, April 17.

Hugh Kane, aged 45, a laborer, was found dead on the road near Howick. It is supposed that a vehicle wont over him. New Plymouth, April 17.

The inquiry into the accident which resulted in the death of Walter Ashor, a railway porter at New Plymouth Btation, took place to-day. The evidence of Morrison, the driver of the shunting engine, wa« to the effect that Aslier had uncoupled tho truck which ran over him. Morrison ran to dc-ceased, and said: "Good Gcd, Walbor, what have you done ?" Asher replied, "My foot got caught, and I could not holp myself." In witness' opinion tho station acaooi' was small, but he did not think a curved line more dangerous than a straight one. Deceased was a steady reliable man. Fireman Darney and Porter Smith gave corroborative evidence. Tho verdict was that deceased came by his death from shock, caused by being run ovor by a traok at New Plymouth railway station in a purely accidental manner, and that no blamo notachea to anyone; bub the jury fecra ib would Vie failing in its duty if it did nob mogb strongly make the following suggestions to the Minister for Railways, with a view of preventing, aB far as possible, similar aooidents in the future Firstly—That all spaces between the rails in which a foot might bo caught in any part of tho Btation yard where, shunting is carried on should be effectively (i led in with wood or other suitable material, wheuover it is praotioablo. Secondly—Greater should bo provided for the convenience and safo carrying on of the traffic in Now Plymouth Btation yard especially, with a view of facilitating shunting operations, as wo tiro of opinion that the present accommodation iH inadequate." The coroner concurred.