ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2142, 27 December 1920, Page 7

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

THREE SUDDEN DEATHS. Three deaths from heart failure and a number of vehicle accidents occurred during the Christmas week-end. Shortly before the Maori left LyHelton for Wellington on Friday night, James Burns, about 60 -years of age, who had been engaged as on the Maori for a number of yars, died suddenly in his bunk) in the forecastle. He had been going about that afternoon, apparently, in his normal state of health. The body Was removed to the morgue, and on Saturday j afternoon an inquest, was* held by Mr S. E. McCarthy, Coroner for the district. Dr B, H. Gilmour,. who had a post-mortem examination on the bojjy, gave evidence that the cause of death was heart failure, and a verdict' was returned accordingly. i, Keuben Henry, aged ,63, a fellmonger, living at 98 Cheviot Street, Invercargill, died suddenly - at the Salvation Army People'sjfalace yesterday afternoon. He had arrived a few days before, from. Invercargill, with his wife. He had complained of pains in his chest, and was lying down when he expired. An inquest.was held by Mr S. E. McCarthy,* S.M., this morning, when Dr A. Temple gave evidence that a postmortem showed death to be due to valvular heart disease. A verdict was returned accordingly. ; Sydney Beginald S. aged 37, who resided in the old police station at suddenly in Mr B, Hiekson 's butroer 's shop, Ferry Boad, on Christmas Eve, He had been shopping in town, and had called in on his way home, when he was taken ill, and expired. At an inquest beld by Mr S. E; McCarthy, S.M., Dr A. Temple stated that death was due to heart. failure, and the Coroner found accordingly. The deceased leaves a wife and two children.

CLEANING A LOADED GUN. Victor Watson, of 27 Allen Street, had a fortunate escape from death, or very serious injury, through the accidental discharge of a shotgun. He was camping for the holidays at the end of Gardiner's Road, near the Waimakariri River, cleaning a shotgun, when it exploded, part of the charge wounding him in the abdomen. He was taken to the Christchurch Hospital and operated upon,, and torday his condition was reported to be good. MOTOR-CYCLIST HURT. George Lintern, whose home is at 176 Chester Street, had an ankle broken on Friday,'as the result of a collision between his motor-cycle and a motorcar, at the- intersection of Kilmore Street and Fitzgerald Avenue. He was admitted to the hospital. THROWN FROM TRAP. A young man named George Laverty, livjng at Lee's Valley, Oxford, was thrown out of a trap at Governor's Bay yesterday. His back was found to be badly lacerated, and he was conveyed, to the Christchurch Hospital for treatment. ■•-.' MOTOR-CYCLE UPSETi Through the capsizing of a motorcycle and side-chair on Christmas Day, a Belfast resident named Frederick Arps was thrown on to. the road, and received some bad He was admitted to the Christehurch Hospital. A YOUNG GIRL SCALDED. Press Association. WELLINGTON, December 27, Muriel Gran£, aged seven years, fell into a copper *bf boiling water at John- 1 sonville last night. She was admitted to the hospital, severely scalded, suffering from shock, and died at an early hour this morning. INFANT olslT POISONED. Press Association. HASTINGS, December 24. The 11-months-old daughter of Mr Archibald Hinds died yesterday afternoon shortly after swallowing some tabloids, which had been, accidentally dropped in the room-of heraauntt t who had been,using them for neuritis. Medical aid waß. available soOn after, but the child collapsed. At an inquest a verdict of accidental death from strychnine poisoning was returned. CHILDREN _ BUENED. ~ NELSON, December 26. A burning fatality occurred at Mapua early on Christmas morning. Two daughters of Charles Higgs were camping for pleasure in a loft near the dwelling-house. During the night the building caught fire, it is presumed as the result of the discharge of crackers. The girls had difficulty in escaping, and were grievously'burned. The elder girl, Euphemia, aged 15, died at midday, and the younger, Constance, aged 12, lies in a precarious condition, but with a fighting chance of recovery. Mr Higgs came from Te Kuiti, and is a most popular and respected settler.