ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 12378, 11 February 1911, Page 5

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

(Per*' Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. Charles Knox, a commission agent, was found yesterday lying on the floor of his office with a bullet wound m his head. A revolver* was lying near with one barrel discharged. The injured man was removed to the hospital m an unconscious condition. He died last evening. Deceased was a son of a pioneer settler of the Hamilton district, and was well-known m Auckland as an athlete and footballer m his young days. He was unmarried. WELLINGTON, this day. The dead body of Mary Purdy, wife of Dr Purdy, Lower Hutt, was found m a shallow part of the river close to the family residence this morning. She was missed about breakfast time. Search was made, and the body was found m the Tiver. DUNEDIN, last night. A drowning accident occurred at Balclutha this afternoon, the victim being Archibald McKenzie, aged 21 years. The deceased was a member of the senior pupils of the Balclutha High School. He went ,for a bathe m the Clutha river, and after being m the water for some time got into difficulties. One of his companions, William Currie, promptly swam to his assistance, but the latter caught him round the neck, and both sank about five yards from the shore m 18ft of water. While under water Currie got free, and he made • another attempt at rescue, but again McKenzie caught him, and again they sank. Currie managed to free himself and get ashpre. A painful sensation was caused m Masterton on Wednesday evening, when it became known that Mr J. A. J. M'Lean, auctioneer, had been found drowned m the Waipoua River. A Native named Haeta was crossing the river when he saw a body floating m about three or four feet of water. He reported the matter to the police, and the body was at once extricated. Efforts were made by artificial means to restore animation, but without avail. ' Deceased was m bathing trunks when found, and it is presumed that he was seized with a fainting fit while bathing. The late Mr M'Lean was 31 years of age, and was much respected m the toWn. He was a single man. He was a native of Dunedin, and the eldest son of Mr Lachlari M'Lean, auctioneer, of that city. The victims of the recent coach accident at Westport have suffered severer injuries than were at firsti thought. Mrs Morrell, who has been the victim of several similar accidents, is making steady progress, but Mr and Mrs Howarth, of Christchurch, who were on their honeymoon trip, seem destined to be for some time .m the doctor's hands. Mrs Howarth's injuries are extremely severe, and have caused the hospital authorities somo anxiety. Mr Howarth has not yet been removed from the residence to which he was carried after the accident, and it is thought he, too. will have to be removed to the hospital. Spectators of the accident give great praise to the driver, Mead, whose coolness and presence of mind alone prevented the terrified horses from causing a worse smash. A serious accident occurred at Messrs Lemanquais, Lamb and. Co.'s timber mill on Wednesday morning. While C. Mettam was working at a band saw a frame fell upon him, and pinned him against the saw. The saw inflicted a gash 7in long m the centre of his head, cutting through the scalp, and almost 'through the bone. It is a miracle that Mettam was not killed outright. The sufferer was promptly attended to by Dr. Gilbert Smith, ajid is as well as can be expected.