ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12403, 17 January 1905, Page 5

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Per Press Association.

CARTERTON, Januaiy 16. A rabbiter named Edward Watts, aged 55, was found dead in his whare iat G^adston©, with the side of ihis head blown off, and a gun .in his clasped hands. Deoca&ted had been drinking heavQy lately. A verdicd was returned of death as the result of a gunshot wound, there being aio evidence to show whether it was aocidentail or not. ! HOKITIKA, January 16. ■ A young man mamed VValter Berdina, a flax-cutter, was thrown from his horse last Tuesday,,, receiving concussion *>f (ihe brain. He died lata last n;ght. NELSON, January 16. William Frederick Bettany, a chemiist at Motueka, and l'eoantly resident at Takaka, was di-owned in tlie Motueka River at Pangatotara yesterday. It is iiot known haw the fatality occurred.. An inoii'eist is proceeding^ .! • : ''% Later. On Sunday.ai party of picnickers went from Motueka 'up the river, and Mr. W. F. Bottany and a companion tried to cross the river to secure isomo photographs. Mr. Peti'ha swam aioross for a canoe,, amd hearing Mr. B&ttany call, was just lin time to see Him sink, but waa unable ito reciover his body. Mr. J. Poloek, who was driving near by, was hailed, and he dived in and recovered the body, but sail efforts ito resuscltalt© him .were unavailing. The jury commended the actions of Messrs. Pet'Jha and Pollock. Deceased was a chemist in business at Motueka, and was about to be married.

TAIHAPE, January 16. The infant child of Mr. Davis, & settiler at Kceka, was drowned last night through falling down a well. : ' WAIHI, January 16. A lad named Rayeroft was accidentally shot yesterday by an elder brother •with a pea rifle. The bulk* entered' itfoa lower part of the abdomen, and .passed through two coils of the intestines. The lad was received into the Hospital in a pneoarious condition.