ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5485, 10 February 1896, Page 3

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

[Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, Feb. 8. The inquest on the body of James Stokes, cab-driver, yesterday was adjourned till Tuesday, after the evidence had been partly taken, in order to enable the police to obtain additional evidence. Alexander, ! a man in Stokes's company, was detained in custody. He gave evidence to the effect that he knew nothing as to the cause of Stokes having his skull fractured, both he and Stokes being the worse for liquor on Thursday night. The man drowned at. Wade was a farm labourer named Michael Butler, sixtyseven years of age. He was subject to fits. At the inquest a verdict of "Found drowned" was returned. MASTERTON, Feb. 10. A cadet named Oswald was burnt to death in a bush fire at Akitio on Saturday. On Friday, a horse attached .to the delivery cart belonging to the Fernside bakery bolted while the lad in charge was calling at a house in Swannanoa. A boy named Ernest Keetley, son of Mr T. Keetley, of Fernside, who was in the trap, was thrown out, and sustained a serious wound on his head, from the effects of which he was for some time unconscious. The horse and trap were not damaged. Mrs Rachel Turner, aged seventy-five years, died suddenly at Mr T. Edmonds' house, Ferry Road, on Saturday morning. She went to Mr Edmonds' house by tram, but on arriving there became very ill, and died in Mrs Edmonds' arms before medical assistance could be obtained. An inquest was held yesterday before Mr R. Beetham, coroner, and a jury. A verdict of death from apoplexy was returned.