Accidents and Offences

Otago Witness, Issue 1586, 15 April 1882, Page 22

Accidents and Offences

The Oamaru Times of the Cth states that an other stack-fire occurred on Wednesday moni

ing. At about 6 o'clock three stacks of wheat

belonging to Mr Donald Innis, of Pukeuri, which were standing in a large paddock close to the Waitaki Bridge Hotel, were burnt down. Two of the stacks were close together, and the third was about GOO yards away. The value of the wheat burned (which was uninsured) is estimated by the owner at about £390. A bale of 250 bags was burnt at the same time.

A serious accident occurred to Mrs Steven son, of the Beaumont, on Monday, the 3rd inst. Mrs Stevenson about three weeks ago met with an accident by upsetting a kettle of boiling water over her leg, compelling her to keep her bed. ' Mrs Stevenson for the first time since the accident got up on Friday last, and on Monday, the 3rd, was trying to walk when she fell. The weight of her body 'came o ; n her wrist and broke it. Much sympathy is felt for her. A serious accident occurred at Millers Flatto Mr Bothwick, of Beaumont, whilstin the employ of Mr M'Ginty, contractor. A hole was' bored in the rock' and charged witjh powder, but the charge hung fire, and after: a considerable delay it was thought the fuse had not properly caught. Mr Bothwick went to see the cause of delay when the charge exploded, a great deal of the blast striking the unfortunate man in the breast and face. He was at once taken to the Lawrence Hospital. We hear he is a married man with nine children, a resident of Beaumont, and it feared the sight of both eyes is destroyed.— Mt. Benger Mail. ' j |

A serious case ot assault and robbery is re ported from Alexandra South. It seems that on Saturday a Chinaman was attacked by a countryman armed with a tomahawk, and besides being severely injured, was robbed of hetween £30 and £40. The robber was arrested at Blacks by Constable Bell. We have not

learnt particulars, but believe the affair is riot unlikely to have serious results. The offender's name was Ah You, and the case is to be heard at Clyde. — Cromwell Argus. An explosion of gas occurred about half -past 11 o'clock on Saturday night in a house in St. Andrew street occupied by Mr William Cranston, produce-dealer. Cranston states that while he and his daughter were going upstairs they perceived a smell of gas. They entered the front room, and, having lighted a match, were in the act of examining the pipe extending from the ceiling when the explosion took place, knocking down both Mr Cranston and his daughter and setting the room on fire. They were considerably burned about the hands, but succeeded in getting out of tho room and turn ■ ing off the gas at the meter. The fire was- at once extinguished, the only damage done being the breakage of several panes of glass and the severe scorching of the walls of the room. , A lad named Alexander M'Beath met with a serious accident on Sunday morning whilst out riding in the direction of the Ocean Beach with a number of his companions. His horse bolted, and after proceeding some distance was brought to a sudden stop by a man standing in the middle of the road and waving his hands. The lad was thrown over the horse's head, and his head comingintocontactwith the kerbing, hesustained a fracture of the skull. He is progressing favourably at the Hospital, whithar he was conveyed after the accident.

The friends of the late Rev. Donald M'Lean will be sorry to learn that he suddenty expired at the Hospital at 7 p.m. on Sunday. Mr M'Lean was apparently in his usvul health in the morning, took a hearty Lreakfast, and seemed cheerful and happy. He attended at tho Tabernacle, King street, whore he was a member, and was on the point of addressing tho nlmrch when tho peculiarity of his manner attracted attention ; aud as he seemed on tho point of falling, assistance was rendered. The service was continued by Mr Green, as it was thought to be only an attack of faintnass which had come over Mr M'Lean ; but at ths close of tho service, it was found that he was Triable to move, and »m being conveyed to the Hospital ho was seen to be sufforing from a paralytic stroke. He lingered until 7 p.m., when lie peacefully passed away. Tho deceased was a widower, and lias a niece residing" at jftornington. He also ha.s a son in some part of the Colonies, but his whereabouts i.i not known. The (leu&ised was highly respected by all who knew him :i-s a quiet and unassuming Christum. Ho was a chihs-fcllow to several of UicPresbytoriau ministers of the Colony, and of lrrofessor Salmond, and his loss will be mournsd by a large circle of friends. Mr M'Lean had not followed the ministry for many years, aad was

best known in J^^^^HpPKeacKef/having had control of the^piKlass at the Caledonian Society's classes for several sessions. j Jimmy Ah You has been committed for trial lat Clyde for assault and robbery upon Ah Cheong. The prosecutor asserts that prisoner struck him with a long-handled shovel and tomahawk, rendering him insensible, and then stole a watch and £37 10s in money, from him. The accused had previously served a sentence for robbery from tho same prosecutor.