CASUALTIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3196, 16 June 1915, Page 64

CASUALTIES.

A seaman named John Mitchell, of tho schooner Te Aroha, 32 years of ago, committed suicide by jumping off the Western pier at Port Ahuriri on the 11th. Mitchell was seen by a member of tho pilot staff to go on tho pier, take off his hat and coat, and throw himself into tho water. The body has not been recovered yet. A strong current was running in, and the body will probably be found higher up the harbour.

An unfortunate accident happened to Miss Bishop, daughter of the Rev. H. Sholto Bishop, of Kurow, when out riding on Thursday (says the North Otago Times). Her horse got beyond control, and she was heavily thrown on to a barb wire fence, receiving a number of deep cuts. Dr Todd attended her, and put in some stitches, and although much shaken, she is doing as well as can be expected.

William Schofield, who was struck by a train at the end of the Parnell tunnel on May 29, died in the hospital on the Bth inst. Mr John Smaill, Government valuer, died suddenly on a Bluff train this afternoon. He visited Awarua to value a property. He ran to catch a train, and died soon alter entering the carriage. He leaves a widow and family of six. The body of Ebenezer Glass, aged 38 years, a bootmaker and a vvell-know'n resident, was found floating some distance outside the Oamaru breakwater on the Bth. The deceased left homo shortly before 1 o'clock for his shop, apparently in good health, though he had been suffering from influenza. He leaves a wife, but no children.

The Superintendent of Police has received advice of the death of an old man at Balclutha yesterday known as “Jimmy,” but his surname is not known. He was living in a hut on the outskirts of the town, and late on Monday night was found lying on the floor of the hut in an unconscious condition. Medical aid was summoned, but the old man gradually sank and died without leaving any trace as to his name or relatives. Detective Hall was despatched to Balclutha yesterday to take a photograph of the deceased for purposes of identification.- It is not likely that an inquest will be held. An inquest on the body of John Irving, who died suddenly on Friday evening at the residence of Mr Moses Parr, Kaitangata, was held on Sunday before Mr P. Sounees (deputy coroner) and a jury. After evidence had been given by Dr J. E. K. Brown, Mrs Parr, and Constable Martin, the jury returned a verdict of death from heart failure. Win. Forrester, who failed to appear as a juror, was fined 10s by the deputy coroner. A Man named Alexander Cochrane dropped dead while at breakfast at Auckland on the 9tm The deceased was a retired engineer, and was 72' years of ago. He resided with his family in Ponsonby. Thomas Inglis, a farmer at Tokio, Taranaki, was on the 9th run into by a ballast train and out to pieces. Deceased was an old man, and was very deaf. A telephone message from Waitati received at the Central' Police Station on the 9th advised that Alexander Conbrougb, who escaped from the Seacliff Mental Hospital in February, 1914, was found dead in the bush yesterday by one of the attendants. The police received advice on the Sthfrom Milton that Robert Fairbairn, a farmer, 74 years of age. living alone at Taiori Mouth, had been found by some neighbours in the morning lying outside his own house in a state of collapse, though quite conscious. He was removed into the house, and two married daughters living in the neighbourhood were summoned. Dr Sutherland was also sent for, and arrived eight hours later, but meantime the old man had died. The doctor, who knew the history of the case, is satisfied that death was due to heart disease, and will certify accordingly. A man named George Williams, of Inglewood, aged 57 years, suddenly collapsed at the Show at New Plymouth on the 10th, and expired while being taken to a doctor. M. Husband, aged 23 years, the son o a Claremont farmer, was killed by a fall when riding in the heavy-weight class at the Hunt Club’s point-to-pomt steeplechase near Timaru. His horse somersaulted over a fence, throwing the rider, who fell heavily on his head, fracturing the base of the skull. He died immediately. John Robert Hawkins, aged 24 years, a tailor by occupation, was found dead in his room late on Saturday night with the top of his skull blown off. A .303 service rifle was lying beside his body, and, after shattering his skull, the bullet appears to have passed out through the ceiling and roof of the building. Deceased resided with his parents, and it appears that he enlisted and went to Trentham camp last February. Whilst there he met with injuries which necessitated his being invalided home. It is understood that he has since endeavoured to get back to Trentham,_ but beyond being somewhat keenly disappointed at his rejection by the mil’itary authorities no reason can bo assigned at present for the tragedy, and it is possible that his death was the result of an accident. . Martin Hullett, a draper’s assistant, aged 20 years, was motor cycling on the railway road near Hastings, when he collided with a trap, and sustained injuries which resulted in his death an hour later. A man named David Thomas was admitted to the Hospffal on Monday afternoon suffering from injuries which he received by accidentally getting his hand caught iii machinery on the promises of Messrs A. and T. Burt, where he was employed. It" was found necessary to amputate tha thumb and the forefinger of the hand.