SERIOUS ACCIDENT AT OTAKI.

Manawatu Herald, 22 March 1889, Page 2

SERIOUS ACCIDEN T AT OTAKI.

A very serious accident happened at Otaki on Monday evening, by which four men named "Walter Grant, "William Maxwell, John Lobertson, and a Maori named Te Wiata sustained injuries of a very grave nature. It seems that an exhibition of fire works was being given outside the Telegraph Hotel by the licensee, Mr Duncan, for the entertainment of a number of visitors who had been attending the sports during the day, and several ship's rockets, which had been in his possession for some time, were fired off. The rockets were discharged from the balcony of the hotel by Messrs R. Messenger, A. G. Armstrong, J. Cook, and W. Stanley, who. it appears, tied the rocket sticks to the verandah post. Two of the missiles were successfully fired, but two others, instead of ascending when lighted, went downward, aud shortty after striking the ground exploded amongst the crowd, who were watching the display. The four men mentioned were struck by por tions of the missiles and stones, which were scattered in all directions by the force of the explosion. Gran', it was found, had received a terrible wound in the breast, a portion of the rocket stick or stone having entered his left breast ani passed out at the other side. The Native was struck over the right lung by a stone. Maxwell sustained a severe wound on the right temple, and an artery on the left thigh under the abdomen was severed ; and Robertson's right arm was pierced by some missile. Dr Branting was sent for, and he did al! that was possible for the injured men, who were brought into town by the mid-day train yesterday, in charge of Constable 6'Rourke, and conveyed to tbe Hospital. Upon inquiring at the Hospital at a late hour last night we learn that the sufferers are progressing as favourably as can be expected, although it is feared that at least two of the cases may prove fatal. — N.Z. Times.