CASUALTIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2856, 9 December 1908, Page 41

CASUALTIES.

Mrs Andrews, 67 years of ago, was found in the loom where she lodged at Auckland lying on the floor enveloped in names, her clothes practically burnt off. She was conveyed to the hospital, where she died on the 2nd. Presumably the accident was catised by a lighted candle, which overturned, setting fire to the bedclothes.

Mr William Fcnwick, a well-known farmer, of Totara Valley, 70 years of age, returned about a fortnight ago to his home after an extended tour to the Old Country. About 4- o'clock on Monday, Nov. 30, be got up, and told his wife tba ~ie was going outside. After a lapse of auout half an hour his wife became anxious at his continued absence, and roused the two sons of the deceased, and a vigorous search was instituted. About half-past 7Mr Fenwick's body was found lying in a creek that runs through the farm in about four or fiv» feet of water. He wae quite dead, and there was nothing to show how he got into the water, nor were there any evidences of foul play. Dennis Ryan, and old settler, was returning home to Raumati from Dannevirke on the 3rd, when he fell from his horse and was fatally injured. He was removed to his home, but died shortly afterwards. At the inquest a verdict of death from fracture of the base of the skull, caused by the deceased being accidentally thrown from his horse, was returned. Samuel Clarke, 25 years of age,* a single man, and a groom by occupation, was on the 3rd exercising Mr O. Bemnet's polo pony, when he was thrown on to the road. He was picked up unconscious, and died in .a private hospital on the 4th. So far as n known, he had no friends in the Dominion.

George M'Caslin, 69 years of age, a coal and firewood dealer, met with a fatal accident in the New North road, Auckland, at 1.40 p.m. on the 7th. Mr M'Caslin was sitting on the shaft of a cart in -which he was conveying a load of firewood to a customer, when he slipped and fell on to the roadway. As he fell he rolled, and the wheel of the cart passed over, his head, inflicting a fracture of the skull and a severe scalp wound. The injured man was attended by a doctor, who sent him to the hospital, where he expired at 4 p.m.

A railway fireman named Norman Thomson, aged 23, had his foot so seriously crushed at Invercarsill^that amputation was necessary. Having set the points, he jumped on to the engine, but his foot slipped, aii<d th© wheel passed over the ankle, crushing it.

At an inquest at Invereargill on the body of William Park, who died as th"c result of being knocked down by a motor cyclist named Cameron (a local dentist), Mr Cruiokvhank, S.M., sitting without a jury, returned a verdict of " Accidental death," adding : " I won't say that there is no blarrio attached to him (Cameron), because I think there is a little blame attached to him." The Coroner also added a inJer that motor cycles should always be fitted with brakes on both wheels.