Accidents and Offences.

Otago Witness, Issue 1387, 29 June 1878, Page 7

Accidents and Offences.

An inquest was held at the Lunatic Asylum on the 20th, on the body of a man named James Shanks, who had died from general paralysis. The deceased waa a labourer, aged 47 years, and a native of Glasgow. He was admitted into the Asylum in November last year. A man named M'Cabe had his leg broken at Green Inland on the 21st. He was leading his horse, which was drawing a cart near the coalpits, when he fell, and a wheel passed over his left leg. He was removed to the Hospital. On the afternoon of the 21st, while a lad named Duncan Paton, who is employed at Messrs R. Bauchop and Co.'s sawmill, Port Chalmers, was engaged working at one of the circular saws, by some means his right hand became entangled, and the forefinger was frightfully lacerated. He was at once taken to Mr Elder's establishment, and attended by Dr Drysdale, who removed the injured joint without delay. A prisoner named Henry Sutherland, alias John Kinsley, an^ old offender, was received into the Dunedin Gaol on the 22nd, from Oamaru, where he had been committed for trial on a charge of stealing from the person of David Irving a pocket-book containing the sum of L 9 4s. A man named Alfred Francis Oswil accidentally fell down near the residence of Dr Batchelor, in Stafford street, on Saturday night last, and broke his leg. He was sent to the Hospital. The Port Chalmers Fire Brigade had an op. portunity afforded them of displaying their agility on the 21st. At 8.40 p.m. on that day a fire broke out in the shop occupied by Mr J. Menelaus, in George street, Port Chalmers, It appears that Mr Menelaus, who is an officer of the Port Chalmers Naval Brigade, was dressing for parade, when a kerosene lamp he was in theactof lifting exploded, burning him severely. The flames caught the furniture of the room and soon spread. An alarm was given, and in less than five minutes the Volunteer Fire Brigade were on the spot. Thanks to their efforts the fire was soon subdued, and all danger ceased . Had there not been a plentiful supply of water in the mairjs there is little doubt but that the whole block of buildings would have been burnt to the ground.