FATALITIES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4662, 5 June 1893, Page 2

FATALITIES.

[Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, June 5. An elderly rnai), named Benry Dignan, is BuppoEod to have been drowned in the Tairua river while attempting to cross it in fresh. The deceased was a buah cook, and latterly a gumdigger. A young man, named William O'Hearn, belonging to Auckland, died in the hospital to-day from injuries received while working on the railway contract near Botorua. WELLINGTON, June 5. It was reported to the police this morning that a woman, name unknown, had died apparently from the effects of a severe injury to the head, inflicted by some blunt instrument. It was also reported she had had a row with another woman about ten days ago, and it was supposed that the injury had been inflicted during the quarrel, but no complaint had been made to the police in the matter. Deceased lived on Ohario road, about three miles from town. The detectives are inquiring into the matter. The name of the woman whose death is surrounded with suspicious circumstances, was Mary Atkinson. Her husband is at present in England. Before death she stated she had been struck on the back with a shov el, but no particulars have as yet been obtained as to the quarrel, and it is not even certain whether any quarrel took place. The blow was received some days ago, and very little attention was paid to it until Saturday, when a doctor was called in. Tetanus subsequently upervened, causing death. The woman bore the highest character, and was housekeeper for Mr Fitchett, a well-known dairyman on Ohario road. [Special to the "Star."] ASHBURTON, June 5. The five year old daughter of John M'Dbnald, a village settler of Hinds, whilst carrying a glass bottle, yesterday, fell down and cut her throat. She died on reaching Ashburton. S. M'Dowell was kicked on the head by a horse on Saturday evening and died at Ashburton hospital last evening.

This morning, between eleven and twelve o'clock, aa Mr Beal'a dray was carting shingle, at Eyreton, a little son of his, aged four years, who was sittinsr on the top of the load fell off, and the wheel of the dray passed over his body. When picked up the little fellow was quite dead.