ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2594, 16 October 1915, Page 7

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES

SUDDEN DEATH ON THE WHARF. Mr. Usher Lucas, head messenger at Parliament House, died suddenly on the wharf 'about 7.20 last night. Deceased had gone to witness tho departure of tho ferry steamer for Lyttelton, and was conversing with Mr. C. Robinson, of Bellamy's, when he suddenly gasped and fell down. Dr. Henry was summoned, and oil his arrival pronounced life extinct. Death was apparently due to heart failure. Tho late Mr. Lucas was a widower, and resided in Hill Street. It is believed he has a daughter in Inglewood. His body was taken to the morgue last liight to await an inquest.

THREE INQUESTS. Au inquest was heard, before Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., 011 Thursday, touching the death of Arabella Lancaster, married woman, which occulted at tlie Lahmawi, Health Home, Miramar, on October 9. The deceased was admitted to the homo on September 10,. suffering from neurasthenia, following on a severe operation for cancer. She was then in a depressed condition, and had. stated that she might do something serious. On the day of lier death she went to a bathroom,'and evidently drank sojne Everything was done to restore animation, but without result. After evidence had been taken a verdict was returned, that death was due to poison, self-administered while temporarily insane. An inquest was also commenced on the body of William George Everest, 28 years of age, who died at his parents' residence, 140 Alma Lane, on Tuesday morning. Deceased had not been strong for years. On Saturday he went to see the troops leave, and later complained that lie was not well. ' Early on Tuesday morning he apparently had a fit, and died. There was no'medical attendance prior to his death. Deceased's father gave evidence that his son had only; taken gruel and tea from Saturday till the day of his death. The inquest was adjourned in order that the Government Analyst's report on. the. contents of the stomach could be' placed before the Coroner. A further inquest was held on William

Shackleton, 62 years of age, widower, a wharf labourer, who was found drowned in the Boat HarbouT on Wednesday. A verdict was returned. that deceased was found drowned, there being no evidence to shoiv how lie came to be in the water.