CASUALTIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3859, 28 February 1928, Page 22

CASUALTIES.

TWO BOYS DROWNED. AUCKLAND, February 20. A distressing fatality occurred off Stanley Bay yesterday afternoon, the capsize of a small canoe resulting in the death by drowning of John Chaplin, aged 16, the ;eldest son of Mr W. R. Chaplin, of Rutland street, Stanley Bay. The boy’s companion, Leslie Abrahams, of Kiwi road, who is the owner of the canoe, had a narrow escape, being .rescued by yachtsmen. The boys were cruising abo’t SCO yards from the shore where the water is about 30ft deep. I'idway between the naval depot and Stanley Bay wharf the tiny craft capsized. Abrahams, who was able to swim, did his best to support the other boy, but he was unable to retain his hold of Chaplin, who sank Hearing shouts for help, Mr E. G. Winstone, owner cf the yacht Nga Toa, rowed to the scene, accompanied by a companion. Mr J. Inkscr. Abrahams was rescued, but no trace of the other boy could be found. Mr Inkser and other swimmers dived in the neighbourhood repeatedly, but they could not reach the bottom, and although dragging tackle from Stanley Bav wharf was used for more than an hour, the body was not found. February 21. The body of John Chaplin was found in the harbour this morning. David Willerton, aged 11, only son of Mr and Mrs A. Willerton, of Papatoetoe, was drowned this evening while bathing at Papatoetoe. A companion of the same age who was unable to swim and was watching from the bank saw the boy dis appear without a struggle. Help was obtained, but when the body was recovered life was extinct.

BOY ACCIDENTALLY KILLED

WHANGAREI, February 20. At the inquest to-day concerning the fieath at Waro (Hikurangi) on Saturday night of a boy named George Boswell, ■who was run over by a motor truck, a Verdict of accidental death was returned, no blame being attachable to anyone. FATAL FALL FROM HAYSTACK. PALMERSTON N., February 20. I While engaged in haymaking at Whakaronga. Neil Kardeby fell from a haystack to the ground and dislocated his neck. He was removed to the hospital, where he died after an operation on Saturday evening. STEPPED IN FRONT OF TRAIN. WELLINGTON, February 20. A verdict of accidental death was rcxhirned to-day at the inquest on Ernest Russell Seller, of Upper Hutt, who died In hospital following injuries received through being knocked down by a rain at Woburn station. The deceased, apparently, an hearing the train whistle, stepped from one set of rails to the set on which the train was travelling. The coroner said that no negligence was attributable to the 'ifepartment. The accident was caused by some momentary thoughtlessness on the part of the deceased. JOINERY WORKER .INJURED. AUCKLAND, February 20. 'An accident attended by unusual circumstances occurred at the joinery works Bf Messrs Henderson and Pollard soon after the men commenced work Ibis morning. Fred Tibbitt was engage! in putting the belt on an emery wheel when it caught and pulled the machine over On top of him. The injured man was Bent to the Auckland Hospital, where he was admitted suffering from general abrasions. His condition is reported as satisfactory. Tibbitt, who is a married man, resides at Eden terrace. MOTOR CAR CAPSIZES. AUCKLAND, February 20. A seven-seater car owned by Mi Cosfcrave, of Oriri, capsized at Clevedon last night. The car had six passengers on board, and was returning home from Auckland. Owing to the loose gravel on the road the car apparently skidded and hit a telegraph post. The car afterwards travelled about 100yds and capsized over a bank. Two of the passengers were thrown clear, and the other four were pinned under the car, which had to be lifted before they could be released. Nobody was seriously hurt, but all were badly shaken and bruised. The fcar was badly smashed. DEATH FROM ALCOHOLIC POISONING. CHRISTCHURCH, February 20. 'An inquest was held to-day on the body of Vernon Richard Pike, who died in Paparoa Gaol following his arrest on February 9 on a charge of helpless drunkenness. At the time of his arrest he was suffering from delirium tremens, and was removed on the following day to the gaol. _ The Coroner found that Pike died from blcoholic poisoning, and added that he could sec no reason to complain of the treatment of Pike by the gaol authorities. ' . SUICIDE BY POISONING. HAMILTON. February 24. A verdict of suicide by ’poisoning was Returned by the coroner (Mr Wyvern Wilson, S.M.) to-day, when an inquest was held concerning the death of Bertram Martin, single, aged 20, who succumbed to the effects of swallowing poisonous tablets while in a depressed state of mind.

FATAL MOTOR CYCLE COLLISION. HAMILTON, February 24. The adjourned inquest on Norman Castleton and Henry Thomas Young, two Rouths who succumbed to injuries received ip. a motor cycle collision at Okoroure on

Jiuiuaiy 28, was concluded today. The coroner returned a formal verdict that the deaths were due to injuries received in an accident which nobody witnessed.

MAORI FOOTBALLER’S DEATH. GISBORNE, Fcbuary 24. William Lockwood, the Maori AU Black three-quarter, ‘ died at Tolaga Bay. He suffered a recurrence of a head injury received three years ago. RAILWAY WORKER INJURED. CHRISTCHURCH, February 24. Whilst working a capstan alongside the Hohndale at 11.30 this morning, Frank Donnelly, a. railway hand, received rather severe injuries to both his legs. The capstan rope became fouled and the hook caught round Donnelly’s legs, inflicting a severe gash. The injured man was removed to the Lyttelton casualty ward, where his injuries were treated by Dr Gilmour. WOMAN SERIOUSLY INJURED. HAWERA, February 25. Driving along the Main South road near Mokoia at about 7 o’clock last e -cning, a motorist found Mrs Milliecnt Elizabeth Richter, wife of a local farmer, lying unconscious on the side of the roadway. A short distance away was a stationary car. The woman was sent to the hospital with injuries to her head, and it was reported this morning that her condition was extremely grave. As the result of inquiries made by the police, George Cravy Smith, a stock agent of Hawera, was charged with being intoxicated while in charge of a ear and with negligent driving, thereby causing serious injury to Mrs Richter. The accused was remanded for a week, bail being allowed.

A FARMER INJURED. AUCKLAND, February 21. Suffering from injuries to his chest and right shoulder, Joseph Medland, age-d 38, a farmer at Tryphena, Great Barrier Island, was brought over the 60 miles to Auckland from the Great Barrier in a launch in 14j. hourSj arriving at the launch steps near Queen’s wharf at 3.15 this morning. The injured man e was then taken to the Auckland Hospital’. Medland was thrown when riding his horse on Monday morning. The horse rolled on him and he received painful injuries.' After a period of wait ing for the tide the launch left Tryphena the same afternoon, encountering heavy seas. As soon as the shelter cf the haibour was left progress was difficult, and the injured man was tossed about for many hours.

PORK BUTCHER’S SUICIDE. MARTON, February 21. Gottlieb Reu, of German nationality, a pork butcher, was found drowned in a vat of water at his shop yesterday. At the inquest to-day the coroner said that from the evidence the deceased was apparently in financial difficulties, but there was no evidence to show the cause of his suicide. The deceased had locked and bolted the doors of his premises shortly before Ins body was discovered. A verdict cf found drowned was returned. Reu leaves a widow and six young children.

BOY FALLS ON SHEARS. GISBORNE, February 21. Serious injuries were suffered by Richard Sherratt, aged 17, a son of Mr Thornley Sherratt, at noon yesterday as the result of a fall from a horse, which caused a pair of shears which the boy was carrying to enter his arm, severing the main artery. The accident occurred when the boy, with J. C. Murphy and the latter’s son, were six miles from Murphy’s station homestead, and it was not until 6.30 p.m. that the lad, after receiving medical attention, arrived at the house on an improvised stretcher. His condition at the tune was serious, but a satisfactory improvement inow reported. A SUDDEN CALL. CHRISTCHURCH, February 21. Thomas Herbert Baxter, aged 44, of Cashmere, dropped dead this afternoon, it was an oppressively het day and he was burning scrub on a farm in Hoon Hay Valiev, of which lie. was part owner, when he collapsed and expired.

FOUND DEAD ON ROADSIDE. WAIMATE, February 21. At the inquest concerning the death of Neill Campbell, aged 57, whose body- was found on the roadside at Morven, a verdict was returned that death was due to cardiac failure resulting from tiegeneration of the muscles of tire heart. “ FOUND DROWNED.” CHRISTCHURCH, February 22. When the body of Charles Jarnos Mahan, of Timaru, was found floating in Lyttelton Harbour on February 4 the circumstances suggested foul play. Suspicions were settled to-:*ay at the resumed inquest, when the Cormier, Mr IT. A. Young, returned a verdict that Mahan had been found drowned. Dr T. L. Crookc, police surgeon, who made a post-mortem' examination of the body, expressed the opinion that death was due to drowning. The wounds on the body were probably caused by fish. The body had been in the water for about four hours, and there were no marks of violence apart from the fish bites.

The watchman who first noticed the body stated that there were a number of dogfish about when ’t was discovered. Albert William Erickson said that on the evening of February 3 he was shimming by the Gladstone pier from 6.53 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. Mahan was there, and seemed a bit intoxicated. He talked a good deal nbout swimming. Witness last saw him about 9.50 p.m.. when he disappeared behind the Harbour Board shed on the wharf.

Detective Sergeant Young said a search was made of the whole waterfront, but there was no trace of blood or any clue

as to how Mahan got into the water. Mahan came up from Timaru on January 31. He stayed in Christchurch for a few days, and after borrowing a pound he went to Lyttelton on Friday, February 3, and spent the day drinking. The contents of the stomach were analysed, but there was no trace of poison. A FATAL COLLISION. PALMERSTON N., February 22. A fAtal collision occurred near Ashhurst to-day, the victim being Thomas Hooper Smith, a married man with three children. The deceased, who was r resident of Bulls, left Hastings ear'y this n orning on a motor cycle, and when crossing through Ashhurst district collided with a car which came suddenly out of a side road. He was conveyed to hospital, where an operation was performed, but deceased gradually sank aud died. YOUTH DROWNED IN RIVER. HAMILTON, February 23. A drowning accident’ occurred in the Waikato Riser at Huntly to-day, when 'Lawrence Riddle, aged 18, was seized with cramp and disappeared while attempting to swim across the river with a companion. He got into difficulties, aud sank, despite his companion’s efforts to save him. The body has not been recovered. FARMER FOUND DEAD. MASTERTON. February 23. Robert M’Gregor, aged 38, a farnier near ?Jasterton. was found dead close to his homestead this afternoon with the top of his head blown off and a shotgun beside the body. The deceased, who had suffered from ill-health for some time, was living alone, his wife and two young children being in Scotland on holiday. At the inquest a verdict was returned that the deceased met his death from a gunshot wound in the -head, self-inflicted while mentally deranged. A FORTUNATE ESCAPE. BLENHEIM, February 23. Haslem Luff, a waggon driver, aged 24, of Havelock, had a remarkable escape from death last evening. While he was on a shooting expedition at Pelorus Sound a .303 rifle loaded with an explosive bullet went off when he slipped. The bullet passed through the palm of his right hand and ploughed a furrow up the side of his neck and face, clipping a piece out of his ear. HARVESTER’S SUDDEN DEATH. ASHBURTON, February 23. James Marsh, a widower, aged 50, dropped dead while harvesting on Mr George Richardson's farm at Anama.

FATAL FALL FROM LOR Ry. AUCKLAND, February 26. A nine-year-old boy named William Rose, who resided at No. 140 Great North road, fell from the back of a motor lorry in Great North road early last evening.- He received severe head injuries through striking the concrete, and was admitted to the Auckland Hospital in an unconscious condition, and died later. A FATAL FALL. AUCKLAND, February 25. Harry Lloyd was killed instantly at Morningside by falling from a road into an excavation 40ft deep. MAN FOUND HANGING. WELLINGTON. February 26. A man named Griffin was found hanging from a tree to-day. INJURIES TO EYE. A married man, Ernest Johnston, iged 45 years, residing in Perth avenue, was admitted to the Hospital at 4.50 p.m. on February 20 suffering from injuries to his right and only eye. The injured man was engaged in blasting work on a Public Works 'Department contract at Carey's Bay, and was injured by a premature explosion. INQUEST OPENED.

An inquest on the body of William Jenkins, an elderly man, who was found iving dead in the St.- Kilda Domain on Saturday week, was opened at the Morgue on the 20th. Mr H. W. Bundle, SAI., sat as coroner.

Albeit Benjamin Jenkins identified the body as that of his brother, who was a v idower, aged 45 yeans. The deceased was a farm labourer, and had for some time past been residing at Mandeville. He came to Dunedin on February 13. but witness did not know where he stayed except that lie had slept at the Shamrock Hotel on the night of February 17. Witness understood that th c deceased was under treatment bv Dr M’Ara at Gore,* but he had no idea what could have caused his death.

John Brabyn stated that about 2.45 p.m. on February 18 he found the body of the deceased lying flat on his face in some very >ong grass about 4ft or sft from the Domain track which runs between Victoria road and St. Kilda Beach. This track was very much used, and as tiie body was Iving in full view of any passer-by witness was of opinion that it could not have been there very long. Witness examined the body, and, suscecting that the man was dead, summoned thc police. At this stage the inquest was adjourned until a later date. FARM LABOURER’S , DEATH. The Inquest into the circumstances of the death of Campbell Henry Norman M'Kinno'n, a farm labourer, who died in the Dunedin Hospital on February 15 as thc result of injuries received through being thrown from ? horse at Sutton, was held on Wednesday. ’ Mr J. R.

Bartholomew, S.M., sat as coroner, and Sergeant Gilligan represented the police. Mr J. B. Callan appeared for M’Rae Brothers.

Dr Selwyn G. de Clive Low, house surgeon, said deceased was admitted about noon on February 15. He was in a deep coma, suffering from depression of the brain following a blow on the skull. His condition was too far advanced for anything to be done surgically, and the patient sank and died at 11.30 a.m. that day. Death was due to pleasure*causing paralysis of thc vital centres of the brain.

Farquhar M’Rae, farmer, Sutton, said he had the use of a racehorse called Cassels. Witness lent deceased the horse Cassels to ride to Sutton, a mile distant, for the mail. Witness advised him to be careful, because he had not ridden thc horse before. He saw M'Kinnon canter the horse for about 200yds when he stepped to adjust the stirrup leathers. To Mr Callan : The horse had done 10 miles before M'Kinnon left for Sutton on it.

Percv Harding, farm labourer, Sutton, said he saw M’Kinnon ride into a paddock at Sutton. The horse was galloping and stopped at the fence on the far side of the paddock. Witness saw M’Kinnon dismount. He asked M'Kinnon what was wrong and deceased replied that the horse bad run away with him soon after he left the farm. Witness advised M’Kinnon to stopped at a fence on the far side of After deceased came out of the post office witness held the horse while ho got on. The hoise walked away quietly, but after 30 yards went faster, and then increased the pace to a gallop. Instead of the horse turning a sharp corner it went straight on into a fence, and there M’Kinnon was thrown. He landed on his back on the ground. The horse, trying to Liberate itself from the fence, kicked M’Kinnon on the head and then made iff. M’Kintion was found to be unconscious and bleeding from a wound on’the back of the Lead. He was taken to the hospital at Middlemarch. The horse seemed quiet when witness held it for M’Kinnon to get on.

Dunean M’Rae, farmer. Moonlight, said he had used the horse as a hack on nis farm. He had used the animal for shepherding, sometimes carrying a weak sheep or woo] on x its back, and for stock driving. Witness could pull the horse up with one hand. Cassels was as quiet a horse as witness had ridden. Witness would have no doubt about lending M’Kin non the horse.

The Coroner said that the fatality was caused by the horse bolting and throwing the deceased. Exactly how the horse came to bolt was not dear. The evidence showed that the horse was a quiet one. The occurrence seemed to be purely accidental, and in view of the horse’s history he could not see the employer had ny reason to apprehend that it was at all dangerous to lend the horse to M’Kinnon. A verdict was returned that deceased died fiom pressure of the brain following injuries received in being accidentally thrown from a horse he was riding at Sutton on February 14.

CRUSHED LEG. A married man named David Russell, aged 48 years, residing in the Octagon, and employed by Methvens, Ltd., was admitted to the Hospital at 3.30 p.m. on Wednesday suffering from a crushed left leg, the result of being jammed between two packing cases. MOTOR CYCLE FATALITY. The inquest on the body of Laurence Fillingham, who died in the Dunedin Hospital on February 16 as the result of his crashing into an ice cream van while riding a motor cycle at the corner of Hanover st-eet and the Highway, was concluded- on Friday. Mr H. W. Bundle. SAI.. sat as coroner, and Sergeant Gilligan represented the police. George William Brown, motor driver, employed by the Dunedin Ice Cream Company, stated that on the morning of February 16 lie was driving one of his company’s vans across the Main Highway along Hanover street after coming from Ward street. He was travelling in second gear at about five or six miles per hour. He saw two motor cycles about 100yds away coming towards town. The leading rider (deceased) was on his wrong side of the road, and the second man was on the crown of the road. He estimated their speed at between 50 and 60 miles per hour. The front cycle, ridden by deceased. swerved over to its correct side, apparently to try to pass behind the van. Witness was in second gear, so he speeded up to try and get across, and gave him a chance to get past. The rider apparently changed his mind, and attempted to cross in front, and the next thing witness knew was that the bump had taken place, the vehicle being then about 2yds from the south-west corner of the intersection, as measured by the front wheel. The van was still moving when the cycle struck it. Feeling the bump, witness stopped. He got out of the van and saw deceased lying on the ground on top of his machine. He was unconscious, and with the assistance of others present witness put him in the van and conveyed him to the Hospital. Walter Rawlinson Spratt, motor bodybuilder, of Ravensbourne, said he first saw deceased when he passed him at about Logan Point Quarry. Witness proneeded up the Highway at about 25 miles per hour until about 400yds from the Hanover street erosing. Then deceased passed him. Witness thought he was travelling at about 40 to 50 miles per hour on his wrong side. Deceased rose from his saddle and put on the brake about 70yds or 100yds from the crossing. The van was at that time coming on to the Highway. Deceased kept on his wrong side apparently to pass the van on the right-hand side as it turned down the Highway (as he possibly expected it to do). Witness was nearly u to the crossing when he saw the van coming across. Deceased swerved

to his correct side, seemingly- thinkii that as th. van was going across he cou get round the back of it. Then he wei back to the centr- of the road and wen. staight for the van, striking the right hand back wheel. He could not tell" tin. speed' at which the van was travelling When the cycle struck the van the de ceased put up his right hand, and •th impact threw him forward, and his hea hit the van. Witness was about 200 yd away. In witness’s opinion the speed at which the deceased was travelling caueet. the accident.

Henry Barton, carpenter, residing n* Harbour terrace, said the cyclist watravelling at a high rate of speed, Th< accident happened in a flash. Thcyclist did not slacken speed. H--seemed oblivious of what was in fron of him, and though he must have see. the van, he could not get out of it way, owing to the speed at which h was travelling. The driver of the vai was going over the intersection carefully. Witness h ad previous seer the deceased speeding along the Highv.a, and had predicted to a friend a few dai earlier that the young fellow would som day meet with disaster. The cyclist wa on his wrong side. The Coroner said that all the evident-" showed that the ice-cream van driver wa driving carefully. It was apparent tha. when the deceased caught sight of th ■ van he had no possibility of avoiding an vehicle crossing the intersection. Ther ■ was one reason, and one reason only, ft. the accident, and that was the high spee at which Fillingham was riding his cycle, and the verdict would be that the" d< feased died at the Hospital from hoc injuries caused by being accidental' thrown from his motor cycle on the Hi-t way. No possible blame could be a tachcd to the driver of the ice-cream vai . In a case of this nature, when a drive was in the most unfortunate position th." an accident occurred and a man was kille< the driver deserved every sympathy, nr, he (the coroner) was sorry for him r well as for the relatives of the deceased. BODY FOUND IN RIVER. On Friday night the body of a man. named Harry Watt Hanna, about 63 years of age, was found floating down the Taieri River near Henley. There was nothing to indicate how he came to be in the river. The body appeared to have been in the water for four or five days.

YOUNG MAN DROWNED IN LEITH. While bathing in the river Leith in company with two other young men on Saturday afternoon, about 3 o’clock, a young man named Charles Cunningham got into difficulties, and despite several attempts to rescue him he was drowned. The deceased was 20 years of age, and lived with his sister at 120 Carroll street. His parents are living at Palmerston. It appears that Cunningham, a friend named Evan Kenneth M'Gillivray, andeanother youth had been swimming in a ho’e in the Leith close to the George street bridge. Suddenly M'Gillivray noticed that his mate "was in difficulties, and immediately went to his assistance. Cunningham seized him. and both sank, but the drowning youth let go Iv’s hold, and M'Gillivray rose to the surface and managed to save himself by grasping a large stone. Cunningham did not come up again, and several young men who arrived on the scene began diring in search of the body, but their efforts were unsuccessful. Finally, Mr Wa’ter Scott Hindmarsh, assistant at the Municipal Baths, at his third attempt, recovered th * body about half an hour after the fatality, under a ledge, where the victim of a previous drowning accident was found.