ACCIDENTS, OFFENCES, ETC.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1155, 22 March 1884, Page 1

ACCIDENTS, OFFENCES, ETC.

The lad Kelly, who was injured at the Nelson rifle bulls on Tuesday, was removed to the hospital on Thursday, where he had his arm amputated. Unfavorable symptoms have set in.

A fatal accident occurred last Wednesday night, five or six miles from Dunedin, on the North road. A wood carter named ffm. Dufty, returning home, was found lying on the road, the wheel having evidently passed over him. He had a drink a short time previously at a roadside hotel, but the landlord says he was then quite capable of attending to his horse. At the inquest it was shown that the deceased had been supplied by the landlord of the Junction Hotel with, at any rate, three nobblers of brandy, and that when he went away he was sitting on the shaft of his dray. A verdict of accidental death was returned. He was a man of intemperate habits. A robbery was committed at the Dunedin gaol on Tuesday night. A quantity of clothing was taken out of one of the storerooms, the entrance to which was from Hie exterior. The possession of .some of the property was traced to a man named Carroll, who has been arrested. He struggled violently. He had only been discharged from gaol on Tuesday morning. A contractor, named Parham, met with a serious accident at Dundas, near Ashburton, on Wednesday morning. Ha was engaged in moving a hut, when he got in front of the dray, and was knocked down, the wheels passing over and badly crushing his legs and inflicting a deep cut on his head. The unfortunate man was conveyed to Ashburton and attended by Dr Ross.

A man named Henry Meyerkopf was taken to the Christchurch hospital on Wednesday suffering from a deep cut on the shin. He was cleaning the knives of a reaping machine, when the horses started, and one of the knives came in contact with his leg before he could get away.

A serious accident occurred on the Papanui tramway ©n Wednesday afternoon. The 12-30 tram from Papanui had reached Innes’ road when a loud explosion was heard from the engine, which was seen to become suddenly filled with steam. So great was the force of the explosion that the driver was blown right out into the road. The guard shut the door nearest to him, and called out that there was no danger, but a Miss Champson, who was at the other end, took fright, and jumped out of the rapidly moving car. She fell backward, and her head struck the road with great force. She was carried into a house near by, it being evident that she was seriously injured. The driver fell on his head, which was badly cut, and he was stunned for a time, but he soon come to, and getting some stimulants was able to return to town. He was slightly scalded by the hot steam, but altogether had a wonderful escape. Ur Townsend attended the unfortunate girl, and found her unconscious, suffering from concussion of the brain. He gives some hope of her recovery. Up to yesterday she was still unconscious.

Mr Oliver "Wakefield, Uuder-Secretary for Goldfields, who was on his way from Wellington to Melbourne by the Waihora, was fatally injured by a steam tram motor in Princess street, Dunedin, on Thursday. He was crossing the street, and in trying to avoid an [express waggon was run over by the tram engine. The front wheels ran over him, but the engine was stopped before the back wheels could touch him. He was taken to the hospital in an unconscious state, and there it was found that both thigh bones were severed, and that he had sustained a severe scalp wound. He is a brother of Mr E. Wakefield, M.H.8., and the Matter was sent for. Mr Wakefield died at 6 p.m. the same day. When he recovered consciousness in the hospital he gave his name, so ti at his friends might be communicated with, and he mentioned Mr Driver and Mr Larnach, from whom he had not long before parted, as Dunedin acquaintances. Both legs were amputated. Four doctors performed the operation. It was not for a moment believed that his life could be saved, but it was the only chance, as the thigh bones were severed. He was sensible after the operation, and spoke to acquaintances present, but he only lived about half an hour. Two doctors remained with him till he died. He was going on a visit to Melbourne on leave. It is not certain whether the tram engine knocked him down or whether he fell. Some persons on the pavement who saw the occurrence believe that he lost his nerve in front of the engine, and fell down before it struck him. The news of the accident has caused a great shock in the city.