ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19529, 11 July 1925, Page 12

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

DEATH OF A RAILWAY INSPECTOR. (Pu United Paeaa Association.) TE KUITI, July 10. At the inquest on Jasper Bromner, a railway traffic inspector, the evidence of tho engine driver, James Malone, who was driving tho train which struck the motor jigger ridden by deceased, showed that the fatality occurred round a sharp bend on tho lino. Part of the jigger went straight up in tho air, and deceased was thrown on tho footplate of the engine. The speed of tho train was 25 in lice an hour at the time. He blow the whistle of tho engine before coming to tho curve. After further corroborative evidence had been given, the Coroner returned a verdict that tho fatality was entirely duo to an accident and that no blame was attachable to anyone. Tho Coroner paid a compliment to tho engine driver’s promptitude in pulling up tho train. MAORI CHIEF DROWNED. (FißOm Oub Own Correspondent.) WANGANUI, July 10. A prominent Maori, Sam Woon ,a wellknown resident of Wangaohu, was drowned in the Wanganui River. Ho ranked high among the Natives. Ho was a loading chief among tho Ngatipa tribe and perhaps one of the most popular Maoris along the West Coast. Ho was a member of tho Rataua Executive, and accompanied Ratnna party on its recent world tour. Bor many years ho took a deep personal interest m racing, and at one time owned Turangapito. This morning ho took part in a mo-< ing picture that was filmed at tho Ratana Hapu. Ho then motored into Wanganui and went down to tho town wharf to obtain some fish. Ho apparently walked to tho edge of tho wharf to look over, and must navo tripped and fallen, probably striking his head on a pile, Mr Frank OTvoofe, who was in tho vicinity at the tamo, dived without hesitation into the chilly water,, and after some difficulty brought Mr Woon to tho landing, whore both were assisted out. Ho was in a bad way, so medical aid was summoned immediately, but ho expired before a doctor could reach the locality. A big tangi is to bo held.

TRAGEDY AT WAIPAIH. RASH ACT CAUSED BY WORRY. William Kenneth Middlemisa (40 years old), a farmer at Waipahi, committed suicide’ by shooting himself with a shotgun on Tuesday forenoon. Deceased had been worried about tho farm ho had recently bought, and had not been sleeping well. Mr H. J. Dixon, S.M., held an inquest on Thursday. Georgenia Jane Middlemiss, widow of deceased, said that he had been greatly worried of late over what ho alleged were misrepresentations regarding the farm upon which they were living, and which they had recently purchased. Deceased loft home at 8.45 a.in. on Tuesday and later in tho morning tho horse, on which ho rode away, returned alone. Search then revealed the fact that his gun was missing. Deceased had not been sleeping well for tho past fortnight, but gave no indication of his intention to take his life. Ho was 40 years of ago, and usually kept good health. David James Henderson, farmer, of Waipahi, said that on Tuesday ho saw deceased going in tho direction of his place and was subsequently told that his son had heard a shot and seen a puff of smoke. As a result ho investigated tho matter and found deceased lying on tho ground, quite dead. Deceased had previously told witness that he “should go out for the sake of his wife and family.” Tho verdict of the Coroner was “that, deceased shot himself on July 7 whilst in a state of depression.” A YOUTH INJURED. A youth named R. Paterson, aged 18 years, was admitted to tho Hospital at 4.10 p.rn. yesterday with injuries to the head, received through a fall. HILLSIDE EMPLOYEE INJURED. About 6 o’clock last evening Alexander Lemb, 60 years of age, employed as a striker at Hillside, was admitted to tho Hospital suffering from severe laceration of the arm, sustained through being caught between a truck and a shed while shunting operations were in progress. His condition was reported - late last night as not being serious. A GELIGNITE EXPLOSION. Mr T. Sayes, an old resident of the Cromwell district, met with a painful and serious accide.nt at Arrowtown on Thursday, when a plug of gelignite, which he. was handling, exploded, and his right band. Ho was taken in the evening to the Cromwell Hospital, where an operation was performed by Dr Harrison. The arm had to bo token off between the wrist and the elbow.