DROWNING FATALITY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11489, 23 January 1903, Page 6

DROWNING FATALITY.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) DUNEDIN, January 22. Mrs Annie Wrigley Coulter, the forecabin stewardess on the Victoria, on returning/to the boat eb 11 o'clock last night, after visiting some friends, fell over the wharf and was drowned. Mrs Coulter ■was a. widow of between forty-five and fifty years of age; and belonged to Melbourne. As far ac can be ascertained she has no family. She was formerly, stewardess on board the Weetralia, and had been in the employ of the Hadldart-Parker Company about three years. Tie Victoria arrived at the wharf yesterday, and was to leave at ten o'clock this morning. (special to "the press.") DUNEDIN, January 22. Mrs Coulter, the forecabin stewardess of the siveamer Victoria, who lost her life last night by drowning, was being shown to the ship oy a gentleman friend, and both being riiort-sighted and the night very dark she struck her foot, in making for the gangway, against a stringer on the wharf edge and fell headlong into the water. The ebip'e boat was promptly lowered ont some t weojty minutes depsed before she was discovered. Tae &taEtr emphui*** thft

necessity for better lighting and some guard at the edges of the wharves where the steamers are moored. At the inquest a verdict was returned of accidental drowning, no blnroe being attachable to anyone. The jury added « rider calling the attention of the authorities to the necessity of the wharves being better lighted, and that chains or ropes should be provided to prevent similar accidents. (press association , telegbams.) INVERCARGILL, January 21. At the inquest regarding the Fortroee boating fatality, by which two men were drowned, the evidence showed that the men wero crossing the river, wihen a strong current took possession of the boat, carrying thera over the bar and ewamping the craft in the breakers. A verdict was returne:l accordingly. WAim, January 21. To-day an employee at the Waiihi Gold Mining Company's battery had three fingers severed from one hand. Five minutes later a companion engaged in similar work met with .precisely the same accident. MANGAWEKA, January 22. A lad, five yeans of age, a son of Mr Mourland, Ohingaiti, was drowned by failing into a well. A four-year-old son of Mr H«gan, of Temoehau, was crushed to death by the wheel of a wool waggon passing over him. DUNEDIN, January 22. John O'Brien, a station hand at Tuapeka West, died suddenly of heart dieeaee. PAHIATUA, January 22. At the cycling picnic to-day, Charles Sheffield, printer's machinist, was drowned while bathing. The body was recovered Deceaeedf's relatives live in Dunedin.