ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 455, 13 March 1909, Page 7

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

(hi TEMiuitAi'n—l'iir.ss association.! 4 THE TOLL OK RAILWAY LIVES. UNDERSTATING MENTIONED. . Palmcfoton North, March 12. At tho inquest nn William M'Gonagle, who died as tho result of a railway accident at , Martoii Junction, a good deal of cioss-ex-nmination took piano with a view to eliciting whether deceased was putting tho jigger on tho van at tho time- of tho accident, and whether a breach of the regulations was committed in tho manner of tho shunt. James E. Jamicson, a shunter, said that he considered Marfan Junction under staffed. T. W. Pratt, engine-driver, said that if there was no ono in charge of tho carriages shunted off tho engine (as alleged) it was a breach of Regulation 231. A verdict of accidental death was roturnod, and a ridor was added that moro caro should bo taken in shunting, especially wlien a train of portion cf a train was at the platform. FOUND DEAD IN A HUT, BANK DEPOSIT OF £G307. Dunedin, March 12. Daniel Watt, sixty years of age, was found dead in his hut at North Dunedin, where he lived alone It is conjectured that he must have fallen in the fire when death overtook him, as his hands were badly burned. A bank book showing a deposit of £6507 was found among his-possessions. BURNT TO DEATH. : Dunedin, March 12. Dugald Sinclair, an old resident of Nascby, was burnt to death last night owing to his houso catching iiro. Appearances show that the old mail made an attempt to escape. Another man, who was in the houso at tho time, managed to escape. "OVERTAKEN BY A SPECIAL ENGINE." Dannevlrke, March 12. On Wednesday afternoon, two railway employees were proceeding nlong the lino between Woodville alid Dannevirke on a trolly, when they were overtaken by a special engine. Both men jumped o!f tho trolly, but the engine knocked it on top of one of them -^Sniart—who had a leg broken. He was removed to tho hospital, where tho leg was set, and the patient appeared to be doing all right until late last evening, when ho became, unconscious, and is now lying in a critical condition j in fact, no hope is entertained of his recovery. SHOT HIMSELF. Auckland, March 12. Sydney Davis, manager of the Cook Island Trading Company, committecd suicide at Rarotonga on February 28 by shooting himself. At the inquest a verdict of suicide while, of unsound mind was returned. FOUND DEAD. Auckland, March 12. A To Puke settler, named Barnott, aged 65, Was found dead at tho foot of a precipice. Dargavllle, March 12. David King, a gumdigger, aged 65 years, was found dead on Wednesday night outside his shanty at Awakino, near Dargaville. Death was duo to natural Causes. SUDDEN DEATH. . (BY TELIUIIAI'E—r.tESS ASSOCIATIONS ' Oamani, March 12. An elderly man named Robert Hewitt, agpd 60 years died suddenly at Totara to-day, presumably from heart disease. Ho is said to have a mother living in Christchurch.