ACCIDENTS &c.

Otago Witness, Issue 1622, 23 December 1882, Page 30

ACCIDENTS &c.

. A sad fatal accident by drowning occurred at the Ocean Beach early on Saturday morning. A lad of 16 years, named John Wimpenny, about 7 o'clock went out to the beach with a companion named Alexander Kerr to bathe, as was their custom, and while in the water a huge breaker passed over them. Wimpenny called out to Kerr to assist him, as he felt exhausted. The latter went to the other's aid twice, but Wimpenny was washed out of his reach, and at one time both were nearly overcome by the waves. Kerr, however, managed to get to shore, but was too exhausted to go again to the assistance of his friend, who was drowned, his body gradually drifting out to sea. The body has not since been recovered. Deceased lived at Musselburgh, and was a clerk at Messrs R. S. Sparrow and Co. 'a foundry, having been previously employed in a similar capacity in, the Railway Department. > The Hoolos-Rayuor Case in Auckland. Auckland, December 16ch. Hooton, the chemist, remanded on a charge of attempting to murder Miss Raynor at Devonport, was found dead in his cell at the Mount Eden Gaol at 3 o'clock this morning. An inquest is to be held at 2 o'clock this afternoon. It is a case of Suspected suicide by poison. Later. The following are particulars of the case of Hootonj who died in gaol this morning : — Up till some three or four months ago Thomas Hooton, with his wife, resided at Coroinandel, and while there made the acquaintance of the family of Raynoi'. The Hootons, owing to the husband's intemperate habits, lived very unhappily together. Owing to his cruel treatment Mrs Hooton frequently was driven to seek refuge and succour under the friendly roof of Raynor, who on more than one occasion protected her from her husband's violence. Hooton does not seem to have appreciated the interference of the Raynors, and, indeed, conceived a violent dislike for them, which found expression in threats and in violence when he was the worse for liquor. About three mouths ago theHootons I came to reside at Devonport, ,where the Raynors had also taken up their residence. Indeed, both families took residence in the same house. Hooton commenced business on Queen street wharf as a chemist end druggi&t, and though

for a short time he was steady, he soon relapsed into his old intemperate habits, and his unfortunate wife led a life of even greater unhappiness than before. One day last week, stung to desperation by his cruelty, she rufched into the pavt of the house occupied by the Raynors and claimed their protection. This so incensed Hooton that he threatened to murder not only his wife but the Raynors also. The day after Mrs Hooton 's flight her husband borrowed £5 from a friend, ostensibly for thepurpose of purchasing a revolver and ammuninition for the protection of the house from burglars, but, as the sequel proved, ready with the intention of carrying out his murderous threat. It transpired that he already possessed a revolver. He purchased at tho establishment of H. Hazard, gunsmith, Queen street, ball cartridge and caps. Hooton's next step was to load the weapon — a six-chambered revolver — and proceed to the North Shore. On Monday evening last the Misses Raynor happened to be on the wharf as the ferry steamef came alongside. They recognised Hooton, and, observing he was avined, came to the conclusion he was about to carry out his threat. They hastened home and gave the alarm. Presently a knock came to the door, and Miss Raynor, arming herself with a stick, proceeded to answer the summons. She did not think it was Hooton, consequently their terror was great when, on opening the door, she found herself looking down the tube of a revolver presented at her by the inebriated chemist. Fortunately Miss Kaynor, with admirable prosence of mind, promptly struck the revolver Upwards, the blow apparently afc the same time causing Hooton's hand to relax its pressure on the trigger. The weapon was, fully loaded, capped, and cocked. Just as Miss Raynor had performed this act of bravery her younger sister and her father appeared on tho scene, and without much ado wrested the revolver from his grasp, and handed him over to the police. Hooton has been employed in the establishment of Messrs Potter and Co., merchants, Durham street. Since his arrest he wrote a letter to his brother fully expressing his determination to shoot Raynor. Mrs Hooton states that she visited her husband in gaol yesterday, and that he then made use of threats that he would murder Raynor. He informed her that he had arranged with John (liis brother) to look after the children. Hooton has been in the Colony three years, arriving at Wellington from England in the ship Merivale in 1879. December 17 th. At the inquest on the body of Thomas Houl<>7], ->vho died in Mount Eden Gaol while on remand on a cl>:ir<ju of tho attempted murder of Mih^ JLlaynor, the daughter of Mr Raynor, J.l\, the veidict was one of death from apoplexy. Deceased had been drinking.