TWO SUDDEN DEATHS.

Evening Star, Issue 3686, 15 December 1874, Page 2

TWO SUDDEN DEATHS.

A. man named William M'Adam, who has been about Oamavu for the last three days, dropped dead suddenly in Coquet street on Wednesday afternoon. Deceased had been drinking, and went into Mr Lane’s butcher’s shop, and asked for and obtained a piece of raw meat and some salt, as he said he thought it would do him good. He walked from the shop along Coquet street towards the Presbyterian Church, when he was observed to fall upon the footpath. A man named Kenny went to see what was the matter with him, and thinking he was dead or had a fit, called Sergeant Smith, of the Police, who was passing. He, on examination, believing the man to be dead, sent for Dr Fleming, who arrived in a few minutes and pronounced life extinct. Deceased was a native of the north of Ireland, and about ten years ago came out to Auckland, where he was engaged in several capacities, for a time as a clerk, and latterly as a schoolmaster, but lost his employment through intemperate habits. Prior to coming to Oamaru, it would appear, from papers found on his person, that he had been employed recently in or near Palmerston. —At the inquest the jury returned a verdict that deceased’s death was caused by him being hoked with a piece of raw meat. - N.O. Times. On Saturday last a miner named Timothy O’Leary was killed while working in his claim at the Bannockburn. O’Leary and a fellowworkman named Carline were working in Joblin’s claim at Brown’s Flat, under a face of some lift in height, which they were undermining, in what one of the witnesses described as an inexperienced manner, to the extent of 6ft or 7ft. When the fall took place Carline was slightly struck by the earth, and on looking round could not see O’Leary. He went for assistance. When it came O'Leary’s head was just visible above the earth, and no time was lost in extricating him. The weight of stuff which fell was estimated at some four or five tons. A little way from the face stood a large stone which had been imprudently left, and against which O'Leary was jammed by the earth, his face and breast being against it when he was discovered. The jury added to their verdict the opinion “ that the claim is not properly worked,”