ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 13980, 13 May 1913, Page 6

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

FATAL BLASTING -ACCIDENT. (Per United Press Association.) DUNEDIN, May 12. V The . inquest in , the fatal blasting accident in the -Chain-.Hills tunnel was held to-day. The evidence showed that the deceased, Harry Smith, was placing a gelignite cartridge in position in a hole, and Gardiner (acting as a ganger) was pushing them home with the - usual copper tamping rod. The hole, was on a slight incline, but almost. horizontal, and the second of tho two plugs evidently did noe go to the bottom when it was put in. The tamping pad was applied gently to the cartridge, and at that moment the explosion occurred. The cap and the fuse were not attached, and were seen unused after the accident. Dr. Stewart, resident house surgeon at the Hospital, said that tho cause of death was severe concussion of the brain. A verdict of accidental death was returned, no blame being attachable,to anyone. INQUEST?!' ' ■ CHRISTCHURCH, May 12. v . At the imjiiest on Ales;. Charles Barrett, the evidence showed, that , the. deceased was.a Very sensitive man, and -worried considerably .over the fact that a lady for. whom he had worked sonic time as a groom h'ad, considered him impertinent. A verdict was returned that deaths was caused by a revolver wound while the deceased was temporarily ,of unsound mind SAD DROWNING ACCIDENT. INVERCARGILL. May 12. An accident occurred, in. New River on Sunday afternoon, resulting in the death by drowning of John McLaren Cochrane, employed as a clerk in Invercargill. Cochrane was crossing the river in a boat with Cecil Halzctt, and the boat was swamped, causing it to sink. Both men were fully clothed, with overcoats and gum boots. Hazlctt made’ a gallant attempt to rescue his companion, who could not swim, but after both had been under twice, Cochrane let go. Hazlctt swam ■ashore, and after, partly undressing dived in again and brought Cochrane: out. He could not gel the body . ashore, owing fr S the, hank of tho river being live feet high. He secured the booy ,to a gofsc bush and went out, for. help. CoclTrane was dead when lifted out, and was prohl ably not alive when brought, to the river ; bank by Hazlctt.