TRAGIC DEATHS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume L, Issue 16320, 2 January 1924, Page 7

TRAGIC DEATHS.

LITTLE GIRL SHOT DEAD

(Per Press Association.)

BLENHEIM, last night

A sad tragedy occurred at Waikakaho, naar Blenheim, on Monday afternoon. Noel Register, aged nine, was playing with his little sister Sybil aged four, and his brother Bob, aged six. He picked up a gun standing in a corner of the room, and took a cartridge from a drawer of a duchess chest and loaded 'tie weapon. The gun slipped and in endeavoring to grasp it, ho touched thra trigger, half the little girl's f;ice beingblown away. The coroner found that death arose from shock and hemorrhage following on a gunshot) wound. He commented'on the tact that people still persisted in what was criminal negligence in leaving firearms and ammunition where little children could get access "to them. Iu the present case the little boy did not point the gun at his sister, the tragedy being accidental, but he admitted that he had played the. game on various occasions, thinking thei cartridges were empty. A YOUTH DROWNED. DUNEDIN, last night, William Jenkins, aged 19, a son of William Jenkins, 45, Park Terrace, was drowned while bathing at St. Kilda on Monday afternoon, owing to the strong backwash which was running, and the fact that he was nbfc a good sWi'mmeir. He got into difficulties and was swept out beyond the br-eakers. The police continued searching all day to-day, but the body has not yet been recovered. Rupert Taylor, "aged 17, who was bathing with Jenkins, got into difficulties, and 1 when rescued was in an unconscious condition.

FALL OF EARTH KILLS FATHER AND CHILD. > WANGANUI, last night. A distressing fatality occurred this morning at Kai-iwi beach, whither n large erowd wemf. to participate in a gala. Clarence Humphreys, aged 26, a resident c-f GoHville, and his four-year-old daughter Joan were at the bottom of a cliff, when thirty tons fell and killed them. Mrs. Humphreys was a horrorstricken witness of the tragedy. JOCKEY FATALLY INJUEED. AUCKLAND, last night. Peter Amans fell in the Hurdles at the Auckland races to-day, and the* rider (M. D. O'Shea) was killed. A SUICIDE. NEW PLYMOUTH last night, Maurice Fellow, aged 63, spigle, living at Stratford, was found on New Year's pye at his brother's residence here, with his throat cut. He was removed to hospital, whprc ho djed this morning.

AUCKLAND, this day

Francis Allen, married, aged 43, died in (ho hospital as a result of a fall on «i Queen street pavomp.nl, causing cerebral haemorrhage.