Accidents and Fatalities.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 23, Issue 8, 30 January 1912, Page 7

Accidents and Fatalities.

DEATH OP A PRISONER. Auckland, Last Night. Edward Kirby, a prisoner from Mount Eden gaol, died at the hospital. The circumstances are considered to warrant a corbnial inquiry. Deceased serving seven years’ hard labour, and had been incarcerated since 1908. It is said that he suffered from “ miners’ complaint.” DROWNED IN A SWIMMING BATH., Christchurch, Last Night. James Bonvick, 24 years of age, a labourer, was swimming in the Dunsandel bath with a companion named Chidley, who was endeavouring to teach him the side stroke. Afterwards Chidley swam to the shallow end of the bath, and a little later saw that Berwick was evidently in trouble in the deeper water. He was waving his arm and beating the water as though he could not keep himself up. Chidley went to his assistance, but Berwick sank to the bottom and was drowned. The body was got out and attempts made to restore respiration for about an hour and a half, but were unsuccessful. Berwick was a Scotchman, and arrived in the dominion about three years ago. A PECULIAR DEATH. Wellington, Last Night. The inquest was resumed on Saturday by Dr McArthur, • Coroner, into the death of Gertrude Stevens, otherwise known as Madame Karle, who was taken ill on the evening of 7th December while watching the posting of the election results, and died three days later. When the inquest ‘ was first opened the evidence showed that deceased had been taking drugs, and an adjournment was made to allow the contents of her stomach to be analysed. DrMcLaurin. analyst, stated that the amount of opiol in the stomach was not more than a third of what one of Stearne’s opioloids contained. It was probable that the drugs had been absorbed in the blood before death. Dr Fyffe said that the poison would not be traceable in the blood three days after death. The stomach had a perforation, but he thought it was post mortem. He had never read of or seen such a peculiar case. The Coroner returned a verdict that death was caused by haemolysis of the blood, with acute inflammation of the kidneys.