WEEK-END ACCIDENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 120, Issue 19942, 20 July 1936, Page 2

WEEK-END ACCIDENTS

BURNED- TO DEATH. EXPLOSION OF FILM. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Sunday. Trapped in a building in Thorndon filled with intensely hot flames of burning celluloid, following the explosion of a cinematograph film, Mr Gurther Herfoot. a German, suffered burns on Saturday afternoon which caused his death in the hospital this morning. The explosion happened in the garage and store of J. J. Curtis and Company, Limited, in Harriett Street, where Mr Herfoot and his assistant, Mr Frank Jocelyn, were packing an old cinematograph film for export, it is understood, to Germany, where chemicals arc' extracted. The film was being packed in zinc-lined cases about sft toy 2ft by 2ft 6in., and the work was being done in a stable with a large opening, in which stood a motor lorry. The explosion occurred when Mr Jocelyn was soldering up a seam in the zinc lining of the case. lie was blown out of the door without being injured seriously. The building then became filled with the flames of the blazing film. Mr 'Herfoot was less fortunate. He had to climb down and make his way past the lorry to get out of the building. With his clothes on fire from head to foot he' ran out of the stable across the yard and down Harriett Street. A young man rushed after him. tripped him up, and wrapped a military overcoat round him, thus extinguishing the names. CRASH INTO LORRY. CYCLIST’S HEAD INJURIES. Severe head and facial injuries were suffered by Bertram Choat, aged 15, of Anglesea Street, when he crashed into the back of a lorry on Saturday evening. He was cycling against heavy min when the mishap occurred. He was admitted to the Waikato Hospital, where he is reported to be making satisfactory progress. PINNED BENEATH CAR. MAORI MOTORIST KILLED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) GISBORNE, Monday. Pinned beneath a motor-car which left the road and overturned near Ruatoria. a well-known native sheepfarmer, Mr Waitene Waititi, of Tc Araroa, was fatally injured on Saturday evening. Deceased, who was driving to Te Puia, was accompanied by Mr R. Thomas, of Riiatoria, and a native named Tamaere Thomas. Mr Thomas was in the dickey seat and was thrown clear when the car left the road. lie extricated Tamaere but Waititi could not be released until help arrived and it was then found that he was dead. It is stated that the accident was due to the driver being dazzled by the headlights of an approaching car. CAMBRIDGE BOROUGH. MONTHLY MEETING. AMBULANCE STATION SITE. (Special tn Times.) CAMBRIDGE. Friday. The monthly meeting or the Cambridge Borough Council was held last evening, the Mayor. Mr C. it. Priestley, presiding. Advice was received from the Waikafo Hospital Board that the levy Tor the. Cambridge Borough for 1035-36 was £583 as ad—£oo higher than last year. The retone Borough Council requested Cambridge to support them In an effort to reduce the hospital board levies. The council considered the amounts. In some cases, were excessive, and arter a discussion. it was decided to support the movcTree Planting. The Minister or internal Affairs advised the council that August, i had been set aside Tor Arbor Day. The Mayor stated that arrangements were being made tor tree planting in Cambridge, and It was decided to invite old residents to plant trees during the Jubilee. The Hunt Club requested the use or the gravel pit, opposite the racecourse, and applied tor a lease. The Mayor stated that he had already granted this request, as the club wished Tor an answer tor their meeting. The meeting approved or the Mayor’s action. The rates, as arranged at the last meeting. were confirmed. The Mayor reported that 3 6 trees had been planted on the Hamilton Road, replacing those destroyed by stock. Ambulance Site. Mr Priestley stated that the local branch or the St. John Ambulance Association wished to exchange their station site hr Duke street Tor a section In Victoria Street, adjoining the premises or Messrs Bycroft’s. \ brick wall was already In position, being the back or Rycrort’s building, and. as the section was at present an eyesore, it would greatly Improve the property. It was decided that, tn the event or arrangements being made tor the use or the brick wall, the council agree to the exchange. I The borough engineer. Mr T. Dtx, reported that good progress was being made with the kerblng tn Victoria Road trom Williams Street to King Street. During | the month building permits to the value or £‘2ooo were i->u>ml.