MANY FATALITIES OCCUR DURING NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18958, 2 January 1930, Page 11

MANY FATALITIES OCCUR DURING NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS .

Motor-Cyclist Killed; Boy Drowned In Phillipstown Baths

A large death-roll again marked the holiday period throughout New ‘Zealand. In Christchurch two people, a young married man and a little boy, lost their lives.

MOTOR-CYCLIST HITS RAILING OF BRIDGE. Joseph Herbert M’Garry, a married man, aged twenty-five, residing at 53, Bury Street, Sumner, died in the Christchurch Hospital at 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon as a result of injuries received when he collided with a motor-car, whilst riding a motor-cycle on the Ferry Road bridge, shortly after 8 o’clock on Tuesday evening. He was admitted in a state of coma, suffering from a compound fracture of the right leg and injuries to his head. He died without regaining consciousness. M’Garry was riding a Harley-David-son motor-cycle with a side-car, in an easterly direction along Ferry Road. When on the bridge he pulled out to pass another motor-cycle and collided head-on with an Essex sedan car, driven by Mr Harry Stoneman, 0f.43, Head Street, Sumner. The vehicles collided with such force that the motor-cycle was embedded in the radiator as lv as the front forks. M’Garry was" thrown high in the air and landed on the railings of the bridge. Only by inches did he escape being thrown into the Heathcote River. Mrs Stoneman, who was seated beside the driver of the car, was cut about the face by flying glass. She was treated as an outpatient at the Hospital and discharged. Both vehicles were badly damaged. The radiator of the car was crumpled and pushed back into the engine. The front axle was bent and the head lights twisted out of position. The front wind-shield was shattered. The front of the motor-cycle was reduced to a crumpled heap of scrap iron. LITTLE BOY DROWNED AT PHILLIPSTOWN. The body of a seven-year-old boy, Robert Anderson Robertson, who lived with his parents at 6, Hill View Street, Linwood, was found in seven feet of water in the Phillipstown School baths at 6.30 o’clock on Tuesday evening. It stated yesterday that the little boy had gone to the baths for a swim in the afternoon with a large number of other children. When the bath was cleared it was not noticed that he was missing. Mr A. Crook, of 518, St Asaph Street, who was in charge of the bath, found a bundle of children’s clothing, but, thinking the owner had gone home without them, took them to his own home for safety. It was not until after six o clock, when the father of the boy, Mr John Robertson, went to Mr Crook’s place to see if he knew anything of the boy’s whereabouts, that it was thought anything might be wrong. The father recognised the clothing as that of his son, and the two men hurried to the baths. The bath takes .several hours to empty, so a young man, Charles Blackler. who was present, offered to search the bath. He dived in several places and eventually found the body lying on the floor of the bath close to the side, in seven feet of water. The boy had evidently been dead for some time. The baths, which during school hours are under the direct charge of the masters, are, after school hours and during holidays, under the control of the Swimming Club. The School Committee insists that there should be always somebody in charge. Children below Standard I. are not allowed in the baths, but Mr Crook stated that the boy went in with a party of older boys, saying that he did not intend to swim.’ Some of the other boys say that Robertson was with them at 3.30, when they were dressing to go home. He was then dressing, but must have changed his mind. Nearly a hundred swimmers were in the baths at the time, including about fifteen adults. It is not known how the accident happened. An inquest was opened yesterday morning before Mr E. D. Mosley, Coroner, when evidence of identification was taken.

MOTOR-CYCLIST KILLED IN AUCKLAND CRASH. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, January 1. Fatal injuries were sustained by Arnold M’Kee. aged eighteen years, when he was thrown from his motor-cycle as the result of a collision with a motor delivery van at a Mount Albert intersection on Tuesday. Robert Buchanan, aged fourteen years, who was riding on the pillion seat, sustained head injuries. His condition is not serious. MR SULLIVAN S SON INJURED BY EXPLOSION. A man named R. E. Sullivan, aged 23 years, residing in Sullivan Avenue, Opawa, was admitted to the Christchurch Hospital early yesterday morning suffering from burns on his arms and legs as a result of a basket-bomb exploding in his hands. His condition is satisfactory. Mr Sullivan is a son of Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P. CAR PLUNGES INTO DITCH NEAR AMBERLEY. A motor-car driven by Mr A. J. Derbidge, of 19, Thorrington Street, Cashmere, got out of control on the main road two miles north of Amberley, yesterday afternoon, owing to a tyre blowing out. The car careered across the road into a ditch, and Miss Derbidge, who was travelling with her father, sustained minor cuts to the throat from the splintered wind screen Mr Derbidge was not injured. The car was badly damaged. TWO MEN KILLED IN SMASH NEAR DUNEDIN. Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, January 1. A motor collision with fatal consequences took place on the Lower Poftobello Road about 5 o’clock this morning, between a motor-car and a motor parcels van. The vehicles met on a fairly straight piece of road which was in good order. It is difficult to say how the collision occurred, as the accounts of the parties interviewed are conflicting. As a result of the accident David V. Wilkins (driver of the van) and David Edwards ( a passenger on the motor-car) were killed practically outright. James Todd, a petrol station proprietor, and Donald M’Naughton Paterson were conveyed to hospital in an unconscious condition, suffering from severe injuries. Others in the vehicles were slightly injured. CLERGYMAN DROWNED IN GISBORNE RIVER. Per Press Association. GISBORNE, January 1. The Rev A. A. Barham, curate of the Hol} j - Trinity Church, was drowned this afternoon in the Rere River. He went for a picnic with three boys and went into the river for a bathe. Two of the boys could swim. Barham walked across the river, which is about thirty yards wide, safely, but, on returning, was seen to be in difficulties, being carried along by the current. Three times he went under and came up again. One of the boys secured a hold on Barham, bqf could not retain it, and Barham disappeared. The body was recovered some time later. Barham came to Gisborne direct from England just over two years ago, and was very popular in church circles, especially with the younger folk. Deceased was about thirty-two years of age, was unmarried and had no relations in the Dominion.