Accidents and Fatalities

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 78, 21 December 1889, Page 2

Accidents and Fatalities

(per united press association.) Chjustchukch, Dtooinber 19 This moruing John Wilkinson, aged 68, postmaster at Wamm, an experienced, boatman, and John Neligan, aged 40, formerly a lawyer's clerk, left Akaroa for Wainui in a dingy; when a squall, arose and they put back. They were ad vised not to venture out again, but started about noou when a squall upset the boat. Wilkinson, v good swimmer, got on the bottom of the boat, and was picked up, but was much exhausted. Neligau's body was washed ashore near Waiuui. Both men were unmarried. Auckland, December 19. The man samuel Vivian, who was injured by falling from the United Service Hotel, died to-day. Dunedin, December -20. George Henry Ashcroffc, stationniaster at Dnnedin, shot himself this morning with a pistol. Deceased, who was one of the most popular men in the service, v leaves a wife and three children. It is believed losses in mining speculations were the cause of the act. On the verger of St. Paul's Cathedral opening the doors, early this morning; he ;l found Mr Asheroft lying near the chancel, with a six-barrelled revolver, . one chamber of which was discharged. He moaned, " Money ! money !" but was fast sinking, and expired shortly after admission to the Hospital. His friends say that the strain of business told oa him considerably of late, but there is little doubt but that it was extensive mining speculations which was the unfortunate principal cause. The act of the deceased has caused universal regret, as in business and private circles he was most widely esteemed. . . Is'apieh. December 20. A girl 11 years old, named Eniily Blackburn, got her left arm in a flax scutching machine at Mount Erin, Havelock, this afternoon. The machine tore off. the arm at the elqow. Immediate assistance was obtained, and the arm was amputated. Yesterday, about midday, Beuben Bason, a well-known Wangamu identity, ■was discovered by his son, dead, at his house. In his hand was a gun, discharged, which; had been loaded with slugs, and by his side was found a note, on which was written, "Qo and tell Bill at once!" It appears that deceased was last seen alivo. by his eon on Tuesday last at 8 a.m., when he told him that he intended to go to Turakina, where he had some work. I i is supposed that he was standing tip when he met his death, and that he fired the charge with a lire stick, as there was; no cap on the. nipple. From 'what we hear Bason had beeixrl^uite free from drink of late, but it is known that he sufferetl from the effects of a fractured^ skiill, w.hich he got some years ago, andit is supposed he shot himself whilst 'suffering from an nuhmged mind.— Chromclejj \ '.;-." •