CASUALTIES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12553, 6 January 1903, Page 6

CASUALTIES.

THE FATAL WRESTLING BOUT. An inqu&st was held yesterday at noon at Kaitangata Athenseitm before Mr M'Kenzie, coroner, in connection with the death of William Rogers, -who had his neck broken at Wangalos- Beach on Oliristmas Day through his tripping and falling while engaged in a friendly wrestling match with a friend named Bowmar. Inspector O'Brien represented the police, and Mr W. Wilson was foreman of the jury. Evidence was given by A. Dick, J. M'Veigli, E. Anderson, Hugh M'Corley, .Henry M'Corley, and G. Bowmar, who, wero present at the time ot the accident. Nothing fresh was disclosed, except that deceased had had two cups of beer and two drinks of whisky just before the accident, and was under the influenco of liquor. The Inspector produced the deceased's statement, on oath, affirming" the evidence that the occurrence was purely accidental. Dr Fitzgerald also gave evidence, and said he was very much surprised the deceased had lived so long. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death, no blame being attachable to anyone. (Per United Press Association.) GISBORNE, January S. The eldest son of Hugh H«oney, aged 13 years, was drowned in a waterhole to-day. He was out with his three brothors and two brothers named Griffiths, all younger than himself. They looked on while ho went in for % bathe. He got into deep water, and, being unable to swim, was drowned. WA.IPAWA, January 5. ' An aged Maori chief, Hemi Turupu, was burned to death on New Year's Eve at Kairalrait through the whare accidentally catching fire. Only the man's legs and arms wero found, tho body boing consumed. PALMERSTON N., January's. ' A shocking fatality occurred at the railway station this morning, Alexander Buchan, head storeman, being run over by a shunting train. Doatli was almost instantaneous. The accident occurred while deceased was passing between the carriages, tvhioh were in motion. His right leg was severed from the knee and practically at the hip, ojid the left leg was also practically severed at the hip. Deceased expired before he was extricated' from the wheels. Hβ joined the railway service in 1879 in Wanganui, was aged 50, and leaves a wife and daughter. WELLINGTON, January 5. A seaman named Francis fell from the fore, topgallant yard of the barque Letterewe" to-day alongside the Queen's ■ wharf, and was killed instantaneously. The body of the man found in the harbour yesterday has not been identified. At the inquest to-day a verdict of "Found drowned" was. returned. Papers were found on the body bearing the name of Harris. NELSON, Januniy 5. Mr Thomas Freeman, dredge contractor, waa drowned in the Buller River through the capsizing of a boat It contained three men, but the other two hung on to a rope and tho boat. Freeman nearly swam to the bank through the rough water, sinking exhausted on reaching smooth water. Edward Whittle, a 6teward on the s.s. Mdraron, foil between the wharf and the Whangape last niq'.it, snstaininir a bruising and a severe scalp wound. The cut was sewn at the Hcspital by Dr Brown, the house surgeon. A young man named ' Alfred Eustace, while coming down the stepe of the Princes? Theatre- last evening, wa3 struck in .the face by someone in the crowd—whether accidentally or otherwise lms not "been asoorfcftined. The blow caused severe pain, and Eustace- was taken to the Hospital, where it was found his nose was broken. His injury was attended to by Dr Brown. The Lyitolton Times states that as the Sumiier tram was nearing tho. East Belt a. man - was seen to run across from the footpath, where he had been conversing with a. young lady, and throw himse-lf in front of the engine. The lady screamed, and tho guard, thinking there was something wrong, applied .the brake on the last ear, while at the same time the engine-driver, Lloyd, reversed hie engine. Fortunately the tram was going slow at the time, anil the front of the engine pushed the man's body alori<? for several feet, so that he escaped with a ciit on one hand and a few lmiises. The man's name proved to be. Robert Walker. It is said the -lady- had been upbraiding him, and in a fit of madness he threw himself in front of the tram.