CASUALTIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3590, 2 January 1923, Page 29

CASUALTIES.

Robert Fulton, 55 years old, and unmarried, a battery hand at Waikino, while attempting to board a moving train at Karanghake station, fell between tbe carriage and platform, and was dragged beneath the bogie of the guard’s van. His chest and ribs were terribly crushed, and he expired an hour later. William Jack, a paper runner, aged 27 years, single, hanged "himself early on the 21st ult. in the doorway of a motor shed at his father’s residence, 19 Rochester street, Linwood. Jack had been in indifferent health, complaining of nerve trouble. He was to have been married in a month’s time. 'lhe body of George Kusbatfh, a butcher, was found at the Maori Kaik. Waitaki, on the 21st ult., with a pea rifle alongside. Apparently it was a case of suicide. At the inquest on Wra. Teague, aged 21 years, whh fell from the rocks near Godley lighthouse while fishing on December 10, evidence was given of two previous attacks of giddiness while fishing, and a verdict was returned that death was caused by a fail from the rocks. The body was recovered on the 21st three chains from where the fatality occurred. James Groves, who was run over by a nioto- at Ashhurst on the 22nd ult.. expired as thA result of head injuries aWPalmerston Hospital at 3 p.in. It is believed that deceased was married and was aged 47 years, and formerly resided at Pahiatua, but judging by his travel-stained appearance he had apparently been on the road for some days. Robert M'Sporran, aged 41 years, schoolmaster at the Tuahiwi Maori settlement, was found dead with bis throat cut, and a razor clenched in his band. Deceased, who was married and had four children, had been suffering from gastric influenza. Hubert Atkins, a resident of Riwaka, was thrown out of a hay cart through the horse bolting. A wheel passed over the body causing fatal injuries. He leaves a wife and four young children. Arthur Ellens, a farm labourer, aged 18, was drowned on Sunday afternoon while bathing in the Heathcote River. A young man -named Reginald Ralston was riding a motor cycle on the Rocks road, Brighton, on Monday afternoon, when the wind lifted off his hat. He turned round to look for the hat and was run into by another motor cyclist, the result being that he sustained a fractured leg. He was admitted to the Dunedin Hospital. Maurice Morgan, of Napier, was killed in a car accident between Taihape and Moawhango on the 25tn. The car went over a steep hank into the river, and Morgan was pinned underneath the car . and drowned. There were five othe;*' in the car, which was driven by Mr H. E. Davis, manager of the Taihape Freezing Works. These included Mrs Davis, Mr and Mrs Morgan, Mrs Minn, and the small boy Davis. These were thrown on to tbe bank of the river. Mrs Minn was knocked about, and is now in hospital, hue the others are not seriously injured. Morgan’s body has not yet been recovered. The car is a complete wreck. An inquiry was held at the Hospital on Wednesday morning by Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M., into the death of a young man named George Wilford Williams, aged 24, who died from the effects of strychnine poisoning. The deceased was a motor van driver. He lived with his relatives at Narmanby, being separated from his wife, who lives with a Mrs Brown in Meadow street. Mornington. About 10 p.m. on Tuesday he went to Mrs Brown’s house in a state of collapse, and told her he had taken strychnine. She at once communicated with Constable Macartney, of the Mornington Police Station, who went down promptly to the house, where he found Williams in convulsions on the kitchen floor. The deceased informed the constable also that he had taken strychnine. The unfortunate man was removed to the hospital without further delay. He was attended by Dr Perry, and everything possible was done to save his life, hut he expired half an hour after his admission. After hearing the evidence of deceased’s father, Dr Perry, of the Hospital staff, and Constable Macartney, the coroner returned a verdict that deceased committed suicide by taking strychnine while in a state of temporary insanity. John Corniville, aged 60 years, a single man, employed on the public works at Ngatapa, was drowned on Christmas Eve. He was walking along the bank, and was seen to slip into the swollen stream by a Native, who was too far away to effect a rescue.