CASUALTIES,

Otago Witness, Issue 3614, 19 June 1923, Page 29

CASUALTIES,

James Patterson, aged 74 years, who was knocked down by a tramcar at Auckland on the 7th, died in the Hospital on ihe 9tii inst. The body of the man Leo Oates, who jumped into the Ruakituri River a fortnight ago, was recovered on the lltii near the camp. Jack Rutledge, a youth, living at Spring Greek, while riding a motor cycle, was severely injured through colliding with a horse wagon. The lad on the carrier sustained minor injuries. They were both sent to the hospital. A young man named Martin, while playing in a football match at Spring Creek, received a kick on the bead, causing a deep scalp wound. Archibald John Hall, aged 38, and single, residing at Poerua, was found early on the 31th inst in his bathroom with his throat cut. He was taken to Greymouth Hospital. His condition is serious. An elderly married man named Walter William Webster, a baker, whilst cycling to business at Paliiatua on the 12th, collapsed and expired. Apparently worried over the purchase of a poultry farm, and despairing of the future, James Moffatt, aged 40. a newcomer to Water ton, drowned himself in a creek. The evidence of bis wife and stepson at the inquest was to the effect that deceased rose at 6.30. kindled the fire, and put on a kerosene tin full of water for mixing fowl food. He then went into the yard, and his wife two hours later, searching for duck eegs. found him lying on his back in 2ft of water. Deceased had had no experience in farming, was worried over his purchase, and regretted taking his wife into the country. A verdict of suicide while temporarily insane was returned. The death occurred at the Nelson Hospital of the two-year-old daughter of Percy Newport. Yesterday, while sitting at table, the child managed to tip a pot of boiling tea on her face, mouth, and throat, and was fatally scalded. A motor lorry collided with a train at a level crossing at Newmarket. Two men, James Anderson and Henry Brooke, were injured, the latter seriously. Hie bursting or a tyre caused an automobile to skid and capsize in a water race three miles from Methven. entrapping th e driver, Howard Seldom of Ashburton, who escaped possible drowning by breaking through Ihe windscreen. Mr James Everest Peterick. president of the Christchurch Working Men’s Club, well known in theatrical circles throughout’ New Zealand, while cycling past a long queue in front of the Theatre Royal on the loth for the Harry Lauder performance, collided with a heavy electric truck, the wheel of which passed over him. He is tying unconscious ; n i.he hospital, and his condition is considered very serious. A female child, aged four months, died “arly on Friday morning at the Redroofs Maternity Home. At an inquest held befere Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M.. the evidence showed that the child was all right at midnight, but at 6 a.m. it was found to be dead. A verdict was returned in accordance with the medical evidence—namely, that death was due to convulsions following upon internal disorder. The. Superintendent cf Police was advised on Friday morning that James Sharp, aged 60 years, had been found dead at the public works near Miller’s Flat, It is supposed that he fell over a bank. The police authorities ad.ise that Mr Michael Healey, a fanner of Dim-back, aged 48 years, died suddenly on Saturday morning. The coroner has been informed. A married man named Herbert C. Child, an engineer, residing at 5 ITowe street, was admitted to the Dunedin Hospital on Saturday afternoon suffering from a badlylacerated left hand, sustained through catching it in a circular saw while cutting wood. As a result of his injuries it was decided to amputate two fingers. Mr J. R. Bartholomew. S.M., sitting as coroner, conducted an inquiry at the Morgue yesterday afternoon into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mrs Jane Smith, a widow, about 80 years of age, who, in her night attire, was found dead on the floor of her cottage, 18 Trent avenue, on Saturday afternoon. There was no indication of any struggle, Mrs Agnes Gooseman, sister of the deceased, gave evidence of identification. She said deceased was probably over 80 years of age, was a widow, and resided by herself. She had always had good health and had never been heard to complain. She was very deaf indeed. Witness visited deceased every Saturday and sometimes (luring the week. She had never had medical attention. Witness saw deceased last Thursday when she was in usual health. Witness returned to the house about, 2.30 p.m. on Saturday and found the deceased (in her night attire) lying dead on the floor. Dr Evans said that, after examination, he was of opinion that the cause cf death was heart failure following senile decay. He thought it extremely probable that she died on Friday night. The coroner returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.