CASUALTIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2236, 7 January 1897, Page 24

CASUALTIES.

Thomas Stephenson was killed at Ongaonga (X.1.), oa the 29.1 i ult., while carting water. Xhe bolts of the axle of the trolly jolted out, causing the tauk, containing 150 gal of water, to capsize on him, crashing him to death.

Daring the voyago of tho Soukar, Ernest Winter, aged 19, the assistant steward, was missed on November 8. It was supposed that he had fallen overboard, but aft a heavy sea was running and no boat could live, and the vesßfrl was g"ing over 10 knots, it was thought to be ussles* ■« stop to look for him.

Tk* boy Geo. Cle*r water, 13 years, who, as reported last week, was injured near Portobello ou Monday when riding a horse from his father's smithy, died in the hospital at 1 o'clock on the 29th.

A man named John Bradshaw had one of his ribs broken at Ravensbourne on the 29th ult., through being jammed by a horse against a post. A youth, aged 19, named Robert M'Cracken, sustained a fracture of the left leg on the 29th through a fall from his horse at C&versham. He was taken to the hospital.

Last week a Maori woman named Wahanga fell into a boiling spring &b Ohinemntu, Rotorua, and, though she managed to walk home, she died next morning from the effects of the scalding. The Maori who fell into the boiling hole at Tikitere is progressing favourably.

A fisherman named George Tillet was drowned iv Halfmoon Bay, St«wart Island, on Saturday evening, 26th. He, with two others, was in a very small dingey, aud in attempting to shift their seats it capsized. His companions swam ashore, but Tillet sank at once. The body wa» r* 1 covered.

The boat in which August Audereen went fulling from the Bluff three weeks ago has been found smashed up on the rocks' in the straits, making it certain that the man has, been drowned. He leaves a widow and a family.

J. R. Huxtable, the well-known jockey, who rode Sp*de Guinea and Lochiel to victo'y in tho New Zealand Cup, died in the Auckland hospital on the 31*t nit. from injuries received by a fall from the pony Fauntleroy in the Steeplechase at Potter's paddock on the previous day. At the inquest a verdict of " Accidental death " waa returned. The medical evidence was to the effect that death was due to laceration of the brain, but there was no fracture of the ftknll.

William Evans, aged 90, was found dead in bed at Nelson on the 31st. The deceased had formerly farmed iv tho Wximea, and owned property. His pott office brink book, found with him, shows a credit of over £3000.

A young man named William Batbam, an apprentice of the ship Crusader, wait dro urued while coming into the Bluff harbour on the Ist in the fishing ketch Anna. A heavy squall was blowing at the time and the ebb tide waß running. Che bo'ly has nob been recovered.

The late train From RMigiora on the Ist ran into a hansom cab at a Christchuroh street crossing, killing the horse. The driver was badly shaken, and was taken to the hospital. The passpngera in tha cab escaped without sorious injury. Mr Ktrkar, surveyor in charge of the party exploring for new avenues to the West Coast Sounda, reports that one of the men, Nat Rennie, from Catling, has been missing forsomy days, and is believed to have beeu drowned in the rirer running into Lake Thomson.

Through a horse ewerving off the course at tbe Orepuki races on Friday an old miner named Michael Hennessy was knocked down and sustained injuries from which he died on Saturday morning.

A audden death occurred on Saturday night ia Arthur street, when Mm Charles Goldsmith, the wife of the licensee of the Terminus Hotel, expired while she was sitting in a chair in her bedroom in her son's houss, where she resided. A servant was the only person present at the time. Medical attendance was at once summoned, but it was of no avail, life being extinct.

Fred Apperley, 14- years of age, was drowned whilst bathing at Hastings on Friday, strenuous efforts were made by the deceased's brothers to save him, but failed. The body has been recovered.

A very narrow escape from a serious accident happened on Saturday forenoon to John Anderfion and Peter Johnson, who were engaged on the coal hulk alongside tho steamer Morayshirc. Both men fell down the' hold of the hulk from the deck to the keelson. Dr Cunninghams was immediately in attendance, and on examination found no bones broken. Johnson had received a severe shaking, and Auderson had injured his back.

A young fellow named William Benson was the victim of a serious and peculiar accident at Wangauui on Boxing Day. The Chronicle states that Benson was fishing off the heads wharf iv company with a younger cousin. The latter was in the aot of throwing out his line when the sinker parted and struck Benson a terrible blow on the right side of the head, knocking him senseless. He was removed to the hospital, where it was found that the skull was fractured, and a portion of the bone had to be removed. Hopes are held out that Benson will recover.

Mrs A. Ferguion, of Whatawhata, Auckland, while attending to a fire outside, was much burned through the flames catching her dress.

An old man named John Lewis attempted suicide in the Caledonian Hotel, Nopier, on Saturday by taking a dose of chlorodyne, which he drank with a glass of beer. He was removed to the police station, where an emetic proved successful in removing the poison.

The sad r.ews that Mrs Wm. Hunt, jun., had apparently taken away her own life by jumping down a well at an early hour on New Year's morning caused quite a shock (says the Waimate Times) to the many friends of the deceased. The late Mra Hunt had been in very bad health for a long period, and for the last few days she had appeared somewhat strange in her demeanour. Her husband, who had been sitting ujd with her until she seemed to so to sleep, then

lay down on the bed beside her. He fell aaleep, bat was awakened by a noise as of something falling, and found his wife gone, the house door being open. He searched, but could find no trace of her. Some neighbours were called to assist in the search, with the result that deceased was found dead in the well in about sft of water. 7