ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1418, 19 April 1912, Page 7

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

A TERRACE GAOL PRISONER. An inquest was held before Dr. M'Arthur yesterday aftcwiDon at the hospital, regarding the death of Walter Harris, prisoner in the Wellington Gaol. Tho finding of tho coroner was in accordance with the medical testimony. Jeremiah Scanlon; gaoler at the Terrace, stated in evidence that deceased Had been admitted to tho gaol on November 18, to servo a term of twelve months' hard labour. Shortly afterwards, however, it was noticed that ho was losing weight, and, although he made no complaint, tho doctor's attention was drawn to the fact, and he was accordingly treated until March 1-1, when, becoming worse, he was removed to the hospital. The medical superintendent at the. Wellington Hospital (Dr. 11. K. Smith) gave evidence to the elTect that tlie symptoms of deceased pointed to lockage of the gullet, and necessitated an operation, which was performed, when it was found that ho had extensive cancer of the stomach. Deceased gradually grew weaker, and died on April 17. Dr. Hamilton Gilmer also gave evidence as to deceased's treatment, at the gaol and subsequent removal to tho hospital. CITY CAR ACCIDENT. An inquest was held at the hospital yesterday regarding the death of Walter Charles Wilson, who succumbed from injuries (tho result, of a collision with, a tramcar.on Customhouse Quay) sustained last week. Dr. 11. K. Smith stated that mreated' had been admitted to the hospital .on April 11 in an unconscious condition. On examination it had been found that Rhad sustained a small scalp wound on Iho right side of the forehead, a brui.-e en tho right hip, and one on the right sbr ulder, with evidence _of fracture of tinright collar-bone, -with smaller aV.-i'-ii-n.-on the loft knee. 110 had remained in a- semi-conscious condition, ('ill ■v.pril 15, when ho became worse and uiteonsui.'us, dying on April 17 at 7 a.m. 'Hie cause of death was fracture of. the skull, and injury to the brain. Evidence was also given by Charles Dorizac (who stated that he had lived with- deceased for a considerable time), J. .T. J. .Mallard, Eric John Lloyd, Herbert Edward Bradley. Walter Henry Briggs (motorman on City Council tramways), and Robert C. Reid, conducting tram No. 87 at the time of the accident. The coroner gave his verdict, which was as follows:—"That death was caused by deceased and his trap coming into contact with a tramenr. The affair was an accident, and no blame can be attached in anyway to the motorman."