CASUALTIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2686, 6 September 1905, Page 58

CASUALTIES.

A fatal accident occurred at Puketapu,"! Hawke's Bay, on the 29th. A child named Bolls Gordon Lequesne, 15 months old, who was playing with an older brother near Ins parents' house, was suddenly missed by his mother, who on searching found the body in a creek a short distance away from the house. ; Life was extinct when the body was recovered, although it had been in the water only a few minutes. Cornelius Prosnahan, an old identity and a swagiger, was found dead at Te Aute, ' Hawko's Bay, on the 29th ult. Mrs Thoinipson, an elderly woman, residing in Wellington, was so eeraously injured through slipping from a moving train at Thorndon Station on the 29th that she died from- shook about half an hour later. Michael ' Drummond, employed on the . tiamway construction works, lies in a very serious condition at Chrktohurch Hospital as the result of an accident on th& 28th. He was working in the vicinity of others, who were removing the old lines by means of a lever, when a rope attaohed to the lever snapped and the bar flew forward, striking Drummond on the bead and rendering him unconscious.

A little girl named Alma Archer, while playing in Great King street on the 29th ult., had the misfortune to be knocked down and injured by a passing milk cort. The injuries sustained were confined to a number df bruises about the head and face. The child was removed to the Hospital.No serious consequences are anticipated. The body of*a young man, Henry Sale, who has been missing since August 11, when he went out rowing 1 , was recovered in the Auckland harbour on Wednesday.

Walter Jukes, a young man, was acct gentally killed while bushfelling at Ohau, Wellington, on Wednesday. At the mquest on Wednesday concerning tho death of Mrs Ellen Thompson, the evideraoe showed that she had stepped from a moving train at Wellington Station. In falling she grasped the stanchion of the next platform, and wag saved from going under the wheels by the prompt action of a porter named G. Cornfoot. The step of the carriage, however, drew both Cornfoot and the deceased under the train, but clear ot the wheels. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death, and commended Cornfoot for his courage. Mrs Thompson's back was broken, and she was severely injured internally. Frederick Crosbie, 24 years o! age, formerly in the employ of Whitoombe and Tombs in Dunedin, and more recently with Fountain and Barber, .of Christohureh, was found dead in his bed on Thursday, having evidently committed suicide. At the inquest the evidence of a fellow-boarder was to the effect that deoeased bought a section from him, and started to build. When half-completed he found he could not finance it. This preyed on his mind, and Tie continually spoke oj it. On Sunday deceased accepted the offer of witness to purchase his interest in the property, which involved a loss to the deceased _of £5. He appeared relieved, but worried because ho thought witness was a loser by the transaction. A verdict was returned that deoeased committed suicide by cutting his throat with a razor. The infant child df Mr M'Neill, of Methven, was accidentally drowned in a water race running through the township. David Stewai't, aged 84 yeans, residing in Glen road, Mornington, died suddenly ou Wednesday.

An elderly man named John Stone, on© of Reefiaa'a oldest resident^ while staa&

ing talking to a friend in Church street last week, fell to the ground, and on his fiiend going to his aid he found life to be extinct. Ho was 72 years of age, and for some time pa-;t had been ailing somewhat. James Albert Reid, a carpenter, aged cO years, formerly of Invercargill, died at Wellington on Friday in consequence. of injuries received while working at his trade. At the inquest a verdict was returned of "Accidental death." Deceased leaves a wife and one child.

A coal merchant named Henry Gore slipped while carrying a bag of coal in Walker street on Friday, and the bag fell on his left leg, which was fractured below the knee. Mr Gore was admitted to the Hospital.

Mrs Tully, aged 74 years, widow of the late John Tully, an old Wairarapa settler, died on Friday as the result of s"hook from burns through her clothes catching fire a fortnight ago.

John Price, an old pensioner, belonging to Wellington, was knocked down by a tramcar at the corner of Cuba street, Wellingtcr, on Friday. His skull was fractured, and he died in the hospital on Saturday. At the inquest the evidence showed that every care was taken by the motorman. Deceased appeared stupefied. He bad \" drawn his pension that day, and may have ; been drinking. The- jury returned a verdict that the death -was purely accidental, the motorman being commended . for I promptitude in bringing the car to a standstill. A rider was added recommending to the City -Council that Webb street should be better lighted.

Inspector Cullen has received a telegram to the effect that a. man whoso name is not given shot, himself at Helensviile, Auckland, on Monday morning. A man named John HyJand, said to be a nephew of th& proprietor of Hyland's Circus, was found dead in his bed "at the Albion Hotel, Napier," on Monday. There was a bulled hole in the man's head, and a revolver loaded in all but one chamber was in his left hand." It is supposed to be a ca&o of suicide. Hyland arrived at thehotel on Saturday evening, and retired about 10.30 p?m. On Sunday his door was found looked, but as that was not unusual no alarm was felt. On the -wife of the. proprietor going there on Monday evening, howevor, she found the- door stilUbcked, with the- key on the" inside. Th<> police were at once communicated w?tlr, and they burst the door open, finding' Hyland's boay lying in the bed and halfcovered with the bedclothes. The only motive which can b& suggested for the deed is that the man was under suspicion of - theft,, and - the ' police- - were- making inquiries into the case.

William Page, single- man, aged 28. i while backing, "a waggon into Auckland wharf shed -on Saturday, -was struck, in the .abdomen, by one of the shafts. He' was removed I to the hospital, . where it was 1 found that. i he had fractured several ribs" and sustained -other internal injuries, from' which he died on Monday.