ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 536, 17 June 1909, Page 8

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

fatal fire at porangahau. CBI TKI.LtiUJLI'U—SPECIAL CimKKsro'-nBNT.I Hastings, June 16. A fatal lire occurred last night at l'orangahau, tho schoolbouse being destroyed, and the schoolmaster's wife, Mrs. H. Robso'n, aged about .30, burnt to death. Details received by tho police, show that Mr. llobson was engaged in a workshop a few yards from the house, last night, about 9 o'clock, Mrs. Robson having retired to rest. Ho knew nothing of fire until tho alarm was raised, and, by that-time, tho house was in flames. A bystander rushed to the front window, rescued a lad three years okl, the only child. It is surmised that the curtains oaught fire, and that Mrs. llobson, who was in delicate health, fainted, and was overcome by tho smoke. l)cceased was a native of Hastings, and well known there.. She was formerly a teacher at tho District High School. The polico at once proceeded to Porangahau, and an inquest was to have been held by .Mr. E. A. Roach, J.P., this evening.

MOTORMAN AND CONDUCTOR CHARGED. (bt tblegkaph—pkxss association.) Auckland, June 16: At an inquest regarding the death of Mrs. Hornsnell, who died from injuries sustained by a fall from an Onehunga tramcar, the jury found that death resulted from deceased being thrown off the tramcar by the car starting before she had time to alight in Safety. Charles; Hally. and Herbert- Birkett, motorman and conductor, respectively, were charged with manslaughter, and remanded, bail being allowed: each in his personal surety of £100 and another surety of £100.

SUDDEN DEATH. Auckland, June 16. William Symonds, who has been captain of the ketdh Tnkua for the last three years, dropped dead on the deck of his vessel today at Auckland. He had complained recently of pains in his head Mid of sudden attacks of sickness, but had not been seen by a medical man.

LIGHTNING AND A GUN. Otrr Otaki correspondent states that, during Monday's thunderstorm, Mr. H. Georgo was returning to his home, when a gun, which he was.carrying, was struck by lightning, tho shock causing hiß horse to fall. Both animal and rider were,. considerably dazed. • A SERIOUS INJURY. While working a paper-cutter at the factory of Messrs. C. M. Banks, Ltd., printers and stationers, of Tliorndon Quay, a young man named George Brown, about 20 years of age, and residing at 96 ; Wellington Terrace, met with a serious accident. He got his arm under the heavy paper-knife, and, before lie could withdraw it, tho guillotine descended, and cut off his hand at the wrist. He was taken to tho Wellington Hospital for treatment.