CASUALTIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2085, 8 February 1894, Page 20

CASUALTIES.

Mrs Annie Vendt, aged 25, a half-caste, and wife of Morris Vendt, an insurance agent, committed suicide at Wellington on the 31st by strangulation. Domestic infelicity was the causa of the act. Vtndt and his wife had words over the latter's conduct, and it was decided that she should proceed to Auckland on that day ; but the Waihora being crowded with passengers, she could not secure a passage. She was to have journeyed northward next day, and slept apart from her husband. Early in the morning she was heard to lock her room. When her room was entered in the morning she was found to be dead, having twisted a handkerchief around her neck. She was a daughter of the Hon. William Swanson, M.L.C. At the inquest, Vendt, who is a Maori, gave evidence that deceased was subject to hysteria since a doctor told her it was impossible she could ever become a mother. She did not seem at times to know what she was doing. A verdict of "Temporary insanity" was returned. An employee of the Union Steam Ship Company named William Maclldowie, about 40 years of age, committed suicide on the 31st. Ho was living at the Universal Hotel, Maclaggan street, and at about 8.30 a.m. was observed to go into tho bathroom. As he had not returned at 10.30 the inmates of the hotel began to get anxious, and on the bathroom door being forced open Maclldowie was found lying in the bath, which was half-full of water, while blood was flowing from a wound about four inches long in his left arm. Mr Samuel M'Leod, of Messrs A. and J. M'Farlane's, stopped the flow of blood, and Dr A. J. Fergusson arrived shortly afterwards, and the injured man received further attention. He was then removed to the hospital. He remained, however, in a very low state, and despite the efforts that were made on his behalf, he gradually sank and died about 10 o'clock at night. The deceased, who was a married man — his wife and family are at present residing at St. Clair — had been drinking heavily of late, and he stated in explanation of his rash deed that he was tired of life. Deceased succumbed to his injuries at 10 o'clock, and an inquest on the body was held next day. The surgical and other evidence having been taken, Annie Maclldowie, wife of the deceased, gave evidence that he was born in Perthshire. He was in the colony for about 14 or 15 years. He was claims' clerk in the Union Company's service. He had been greatly troubled in his mind since he lost every penny he had, and some of witness's also, in mining shares at Nenthorn. He had never been the same man since. Witness had let her house at St. Clair, but went back more than a week ago. He seemed better then, and witness thought all the trouble was over. He disappeared on Friday. He was in perfectly good spirits, and witness had no idea that he would not return. Latterly, owing to the trouble he underwent, he gave way to heavy bouts of drinking. Then he would keep from drink for weeks. A verdict to the effect that the deceased caused hi 3 death by a wound in his arm whilst temporarily insane was returned.

Robert Edwards, a farmer, aged 25 years, and single, was found dead near Kaiapoi on Friday with a gunshot wound in his head. He had been suffering from influenza, and complained of pains in his head. He took the gun from the house with the intention of shooting swamp hens, as the day was too wet for harvoßting. When he was 100 yards from the house a shot was heard, and on a child proceeding to the spot he was found lying on a bank near the lagoon. Death must have been instantaneous.

Marion Allan, aged 24 years, a domestic servant, attempted to commit suicide at Wellington on Saturday morning by drinking spirits of salts. She wrote a letter intimating her intention to take her life. She is not expected to recover. The letter left by the woman was in these terms :—": — " lam only a trouble here. I think I am too wicked to live. I never do things properly, and it makes me mad when I know everyone has been good to me. I would rather die than go into more trouble, for it is not only myself that suffers, but others. I know that I shall not meet my dear mother." Her mother is dead. Allan was engaged in service at a gentleman's residence at Wadestown. A late telegram states that she is still in a critical condition, but hopes of her recovery are entertained.

The fishing boat Maggie sank off the North Head, Auckland, on Saturday, and Robert Mellis, cne of her crew, was drowned. The crew of the Maggie included John Calme (who was in command) , Matthew Parsons, James Green, John Alexander, and Robert Mellis. A squall struck the boat while Green had the sheet in his hand, but he had not time to let it go before the craft filled and went over. All hands sank, but three of the five rose and succeeded in reaching the shore. Calme and Mellis were less fortunate, and but for the prompt action of two men named M'Lean and Williamson, who witnessed the accident, a double fatality would have had to be recorded. M'Lean and Williamson dived off the rocks and swam out a considerable disbance. They then dived aud got hold of Calme, who was brought ashore and resuscitated. Mellis was drowned. He was oue of the brothers Mellis associated wicb C&lme in the fishing business.

A man named O .yen M'Kenna died at Opunake on the 27bh nit. from concussion of the brain. He was working a winch on the wharf, and was struck by the handle ou the forehead. He was rendered insensible for a few minutes, but appeared to get all right again. A few days afterwards his mind began to wander, and he gradually sank until he died. He leaves a widow and a child three mouths old totally unprovided for.

A young man named Thomas Locklin was brought in from Rotorangi station to Cambridge, Auckland, badly injured. He was yoking horses to a reaper and binder, when they bolted and knocked him down. His back

is terribly gashed by the knives, and he has had a miraculous escape. Dr Kenney thinks he will recover.

A boy named M'Creith, aged six years, was killed at Arapohne, Kaipara, by a falling tree. His father and others were felling a tree to get wild honey, when the tree fell in the wrong direction, killing the boy instantly. During the gale on Friday night a tree fell on a tent occupied by three men engaged on cooperative works on [the East road, New Plymouth. One named Ward was killed, and another named Cochrane was severely injured. An inquest is being held on Ward at Stratford. An elderly man named William Jones died somewhat suddenly at Blenheim on Monday. Since Saturday he had complained of feeling unwell, with severe pains in his chest, but it was not until this afternoon that he had to leave off work on the farm where he was employed, telling his employer he should lie down in his whare for a time. He was not seen again alive, for at 5 o'clock, when he was to be called for tea, he was found quite dead. A married woman, the wife of William Grey, an Auckland 'bus driver, mixed the heads of 40 matches in warm water on Tuesday, and drank the solution. The poison waß removed by a stomach pump, and the woman is expected to recover. She has been suffering from an internal complaint. Edgar C. Maxwell, a boy 11 years of age, who was walking along Mechanic street, in the North-Bast Valley, on Tuesday, trod on the toes of a dog, vhen the animal jumped up and bit him, tearing his upper lip open and injuring one of his eyes, his nose, and his cheek. He was taken to the hospital, where his lip was sewn up and the other injuries attended to. He then left the institution for bis own home.