NEW YEAR TRAGEDIES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2678, 3 January 1924, Page 3

NEW YEAR TRAGEDIES.

FATHER AND CHILD KILLED AT

KAI IWI.

WANGANUI SEASIDE FATALITY.

Wanganui, January* 1

A distressing double fatality occurred this morning at Kai Iwi beach whither a large crowd went to participate in the gala. Clarence Humphreys, aged 26, a resident of Gonville, and his fonr-ycar-old daughter Joan, were at. the bottom of a cliff when thirtytons of papa fell and killed them. Mrs Humphreys was a horrorstricken witness of the tragedy.

Kai Iwi is about ten miles from Wanganui and is one ofsthe most popular seaside resorts. The residents at the beach started an annual gala day a. year ago, at which there were over four thousand people present. The coast line at, Kai Iwi, like so much of Taranaki, consists of papa cliffs which arc continually’ giving way before the assaults of the spring tides, and a rather serious problem is_presented in the steady encroachment of the sea. KILLED HTS LITTLE SISTER. ANOTHER FIREARM TRAGEDY. Blenheim, January’ 1. A sad tragedy* occurred at. Waikakaho near Blenheim, on Monday afternoon. Noel Register, aged nine was playing with his little sister Sybil aged four, and his brother Boh aged six. He picked up a gun standing in the corner of the room, took a cartridge from a drawer in the duchess chest and loaded the weapon. The gnu slipped and in endeavouring to grasp it the hoy* touched the trigger. The gun went oft and half the little girl's face was blown a wav.

Coroner F.. J. Hill found Uni death resulted from shook and liemc.rrhage following; a gunshot. wound. He commented on the fact that people still persisted in what was criminal neo-licence in lea vine firearms and ammunition where little children could get access to them. In the present case the little hoy did rot point the gun at his sister, the tragedy being accidental, hut he admitted that he had played the game on various occasions, thinking the cartridges were empty. YOUTH DROWNED IN DUNEDIN. Dunedin, January 1. William Jenkins, aged 19, son of William Jenkins, of 45 Park Terrace, was drowned while bathing at St. Kilda on Monday afternoon. Owing to the strong backwash which was. running and the fact that he was not a good swimmer he got in--to difficulties and was swept out beyond the breakers. The police continued to search all day but the body has - not vet been recovered. Rupert Taylor, aged 17, who was bathing with Jenkins, also got into difficulties and when rescued was in an unconscious condition. SUICIDE AT NEW PLYMOUTH. New Plymouth, January 1. Maurice Pellow, aged sixty-three, single, living at Stratford, was found on New Year’s Eve at his brother’s residence here with his throat cut.. He was removed to the hospital where he died this morning. WELL-KNOWN JOCKEY KILLED. M. D. O’SHEA’S FATAL FALL. Auckland, January 1. The well-known jockey, M. D. O’Shea was killed while riding in the New Year Hurdles at Ellerslie. Peter Amans fell at the fifth hurdle O’Shea being thrown heavily and fatally injured. Auckland, January 2. Francis Allen (43), married, died in the hospital as the result of a fall on Queen St. pavement, causing cerebral haemorrhage. Dunedin, January 2. Agnes Sutherland; (25), married, residing at Port Chalmers, was taken t 6 hospital with a serious gnnshot wound in the chest. Apparently the gun was being loaded to he fired at the. New Ye,ar celebrations when it exploded. '■