ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1022, 11 January 1911, Page 6

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

1 ' DEATH FEOM LOCKJAW. RESULT OF SHOOTING ACCIDENT. The City Coroner (Dr. A. Jl'Arthur, S.M.) held ;m inquest at the Wellington Hospital yesterday afternoon touching the death of Leonard Shaw, who died at the hospital yesterday morning as the result of lockjaw following on a gunshot wound. Deceased was a single man, 23 years of age, and a native of-England. He had been in New Zealand about two years, but nil his relations reside .in England. Sergeant llathieson represented the polic« at the inquest. Dr. Simpson, senior house surgeon at the hospital, said that deceased was admitted to the institution at 6.30 p.m. on Decrmber 20. His left leg, in the region of the ankle, was shattered by a gunshot wound.. He progressed favourably for five or six days, but then showed symptoms of lockjaw, which finally carried him off. The leg was amputated on Friday last, and death occurred at G a.m. yesterday (Tuesday). Alexander Stewart, labourer, residing at 10 Murphy Street, stated that lie was a friend of the deceased, who resided in the same house. On December 20 they went to Plimmerton together for some shooting, and were accompanied by Charles Johnston and James Ash. The accident occurred about 3.30 p.m., half a mile from Plimmertou station, in a little bit of bush. Deceased was in front with Johnston, while witness and Ash were about seven to ten yards behind. Witness was carrying the gun produced, and deceased also, had a gun. Witness was explaining to Ash how to carry the gun with safety. Ash said that, when the indicator was up, the gun was safe. The indicator was up, witness touched the trigger, and the gun went off. Witness did not remember the gun being loaded. When it went off, Shaw called out,. "Sandy, you've shot me." Witness rah up, and found Shaw was sitting down, with blood coming from the left foot. The boot and sock were taken off, and Ash went to Plimmerton for help. John-, ston brought water from the tent to bathe the foot. Ash presently returned, a stretcher was constructed, and deceased was taken to Plimmerton, placed on the train for Wellington at o p.m. James Barlov.' Ash, warehouseman, and Charles Johnston, boot finisher, gave corroborative evidence.

A verdict was returned to the effect that death was due to tetanus, iicluced by a gunshot wound accidentally inflicted. SUPPOSED SUICIDE.' Yesterday afternoon Mr. Robert White, t>f Tinakori Road, ivas informed by two ladies that a. man had been S3en reclining on a bank in Sydney Street with signs of blood on his face! Mr. White reported the matter at the Lambton; Quay Police Station, and Constable Snow was dispatched to the scene to investigate the affair. On arrival at Sydney Hlicet, the constable found the dead bo.ly of a mid-dle-aged man ; named Styles, near a footpath leading into the Botanical Gardens. Near the right hand of the deceased was found ■■ a seven-chambered revolver, one barrel of which had been discharged. There was a bullet wound in the mouth. The body was removed,to the morgue. A letter was found on the body .addressed to deoeascd's wife, who resides in GuiMford Terrace. There was also ' a watch, chain, and .pendant, the pendant bearing the inscription, "R. Styles, Ha'wora Branch, Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants of New Zealand." Deceased was employed as a guard in the New Zealand railways, and it is understood that he had been suspended yesterday morning. An inquest .is to be held at 3.30 p.m. to-day.

ACCIDENT ON S.S. WOOTTON. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) . .• Christchurch, January 10. The man Ryan, injured 'on the steamer Wootton yesterday, was operated on. last night, and is still unconscious. Nothing definite is known regarding his identity. THE DEATH OF A DIV;ER, : , Dunedin, January 10. Advice was received to-day by tho secretary of tho Ripe and Shine Dredging Company of th? sudden death of George Todd, a diver, who was woiiciug ill, connection with the company's No. 2 dredge, which' sank last week. It appears that Mr. Todtl.was making an inspection of tho dredge, and, after he had been down a considerable time, those on the surface realised that he Was giving no answer to. their signals. . He was then pulled up, but was found to be dead. - ; MAN DROWNED. Gore, January 10. At Waikaia, on Sunday afternoon, • a shearer named. Maurice Constant Schlo'nfcack was drowned while bathing in the Waikaia River, opposite .'the Argyle Station. He got beyond his depth, and was swept into a hole by the undercurrent.The body was recovered. - An inquest was held to-day, when a verdict of accidental death by drowning was returned. The deceased was thirty years of age. His parents reside . at Pine Hall, Dunedin. ■