CASUALTIES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11936, 9 January 1901, Page 6

CASUALTIES.

FATAL ACCIDENT TO THE SON OF A DUNEDIN RESIDENT. A sad fatality occurred at Malieno on Sunday evening last,' Mr Harold T. Barton (rabbit and stock inspector, and only son of Mr Alfred H. Burton, of Dunedin) loping his life by a fall from his horse. Mr Burton, who had only one arm, had two horses in a paddock, and in the evening took ono down to water. The horse lmd a strap round its neck, and on returning Sir Burton mounted it, barobacked, with only the strap to guide it. The animal'startcd off at a trot, broke into a gallop, 'and then began to plunge. When on the road it unseated its rider, who was thrown violently.on to his head. The unfortunate young man's skull was fractured, and he was carried in an unconscious state to the. Maheno Hotel (Mr Islip's), where he was residing. Medical assistance was soon forthcoming, Dr M'Adam going out from Oamaru; but the injuries received wore beyond mcdical skill, and Mr Burton died early tho following morning. As the accident occurred in view of a number of persons," it was not deemed necessary to hold an inquest. A telegram conveying the tidings of tho accident reached the family at midnight, and bis father, by dint of driving to Palmerston, was able to catch the early train thence, thus reaching Maheno soon after 10, but too lato to see his son alive. The body was brought to Dunedin yesterday morning, and buried in-the Northern Cemetery. Mr Harold Burton had endeared himself to » very wide circle of friends in the various parts of Otago where ho had successively resided in pursuance of liis c^uly.

A DEATH AT THE HOSPITAL.

A married woman named Josephine Mary Trowors, aged about 43 years, who resided at St. Kilda, was admitted to the hospital on Sunday last suffering from the cffects of drink and supposed poisoning, As it was unsafe in gjye her freedonv-sho-was'to-the

bed by bands. About 9.45 last night she managed to free herself during the temporary absence of Nurae Corlett, and jumped out of a window in the top flat, presumably while in a state of temporary insanity. When picked up the. unfortunato woman was dead, tho cause of death being a fractured skull. An inquest will probably bo held to-day. The husband of the' deceased woman is a hawker by occupation. (Per United Press Association.) . CHRISTCHURCH, January 8. A girl named Annabel la Clark, aged 17 years, was severely burned at Halswoll last week whilelightingafire, and diod in the hospital on Sunday. At the inquest to-day a verdict of "Accidental death" was returned. The coroner referred to the foot that a certificate of death had been given by the hospital authorities without reforenco to him. and said that in cases of accidental death only the covonor could give a certificate. The house surgeon explained that ho had had telephonic communication with the police, and had understood from thoir reply that lio inquest would be necessary. A Hawera message state that at the inquest on tho. body of> Percival White, the youth killed by being thrown from a trap on the Noonan road, a verdict of "Accidental death" was returned. The body of a man was found under the George street pier, Port Chalmers, yesterday. It was subsequently identified by Frederick Sheppard, chief engineer of the Aotea, as that of Alexander Smith, a prefer, who had been missing from the vessel since December 26. On -this date he left his clothes on the steamer, and was not seen ajraiu. The body was taken to the morgue and the matter wa3 reported to the coroner, and an inquest will be held.