CASUALTIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3823, 21 June 1927, Page 37

CASUALTIES.

WHANGAREI, June 16. While Mrs Laird was walking home along the Valley road at Hikurangi at 11 o’clock last night she was knocked down by a motor cyclist. Her leg and arm were seriously injured, but the full extent of her injuries is not yet known. WHANGAREI, June 16. Edwin Banke Laxon, aged 72, was killed at Kamo level crossing at midday Deceased, who was deaf, walked on to the line in front of the south-bound mail train, and was carried across the cattle stop. Laxon was born in Papatoetoe, but had lived many years in the north. AUCKLAND, June 17. An J n 9uest regarding the death of Walter Hill, hotel porter, who was found dead in his room at 34 St. Paul’s street on the evening of June 7, was held to-day. Florence Kerr said she let a room to deceased on June 7. He went home about 10 o’clock at night and about 11.15 witness’s attention was attracted by a strong smell of gas. She found deceased sitting in a chair near the stove with an overcoat over his head, r.nd the gas tube lying on the floor. The gas was turned on and deceased was apparently dead. Detective White said he had neen making inquiries regarding a number of indecent letters written to several youths on June 5. The writer made an appointment to meet one of the youths outside a Queen street theatre on the evening on June 7. Acting, under instructions the boy kept ihe appointment while witness watched. Deceased, who was known to tho boy as Goodwin, approached and was accosted by witness. Deceased later admitted he was the person who had been writing indecent letters to a number of boys. He asked if he was to be arrested and if there was to be a court case. Witness left him at his bedroom about 10 o’clock. He was perfectly sober and appeared to be quite normal. He did not seem to bo distressed in any way and spoke quite cheerfully. - The coroner returned a verdict of suicide by gas poisoning. PALMERSTON N.» June 17.

The body of a young man, Huia George Smith, aged 22, was found hanging in an outhouse in Ruahino street this morning. Deceased left a note indicating his intention io commit suicide. He lost his wife seven weeks ago. and it is believed that this preyed on his mind. PALMERSTON N., June 19. Mark Gardiner, single, aged about 21, employed as a fitter at.Mangahao, met a tragic end on Friday night. He was engaged working in the neighbourhood of the No. 3 dam, when he came in contact with a live wire and fell backwards into the dam below. Assistance was quickly forthcoming, and the body recovered. Restorative methods were employed for five hours without avail. Deceased came from England last September, and was engaged on the works for the past six months. He has a brother, also at and the other members of the family live in the Old Country. An inquest was held at Shannon yesterday. A verdict that death was due to shock through sudden immersion in ice-cold water was returned. Evidence was given to the effect that deceased came in contact with a live wire not sufficient to kill him but sufficient to knock him over. Deceased must then have rolled off the dam into the water. Gardiner had been warned to be careful, as another worker had received a shock a few hours previously in the same position. WELLINGTON. June 18. A broken arm and head injuries were received by Jackson Brydges, aged 66. when he was caught in some belting at the factory of Mr H. Linley, cabinetmaker, in Hopper street, this morning. Brydges, who is a single man and who lives at the place of his employment, was admitted to the hospital at 10.30 o’clock. He is progressing as well as can be expected. NATIVE CHILD’S DEATH. GISBORNE, June 16. The coroner held an inquest on the death of a Maori child, aged three, who caught a severe cold and was brought by its parents from the country to a herbalist, who prescribed two bottles of cough mixture, the medicine proving ineffective. Claude Edwin Bolton stated that he was a retired schoolmaster, and carried on business as a herbalist. The parents brought the child to him on Monday, suffering from a bad cough and very weak. Witness prescribed a mixture of paregoric, peppermint, aniseed oil, and honey; and also fluid methylated syirits and water, coloured with burnt sugar, to open the pores. He never pressed for payment, but if the Maoris liked to give him anything he allowed them. Witness said he had studied medicine about 60 years ago, and had been prescribing medicine for Maoris since 1868.

Dr Rice stated that a post mortem revealed the child’s general condition as poor. There were signs of pleurisy of several days duration. The medicine given would have slight effect. The Coroner returned a verdict that the child died from bronchitis and pneumonia, following on pleurisy.