ACCIDENTS, OFFENCES, ETC.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1198, 1 July 1884, Page 3

ACCIDENTS, OFFENCES, ETC.

Thomas Fawcett, a Waikato eetfcler, had his handa blown off while out shoot- " A woman named Ellen Adams, who has Tory frequently been before the Court in Dunedin for vagrancy, and who was almost a constant inmate of the gaol, was found dead on the railway line on Sunday forenoon within two or three hundred yards of the main station. She was so fearfully mangled as to bs quite nisable, but a female friend identified her by her clothing. It is surmised that she was lying about the lino during the night and one of the late trains killed her. Traces of blood and flesh were found on one of the engines, but the driver and guard knev nothing of the accident, ami the engine cleaners thought a sheep or dog had been run over. It was not until a little boy discovered the remains on the line about ten o'clock on Sunday morning that anything was known of the occurrence. The husband of the deceased woman is at present under trial for housebreaking. On Saturday afternoon a man named William Piteairn attempted to commit suicide at the Grosvenor Hotel, Christchurch, by taking strychnine. He did not take enough to kill him, and is now out of danger. A letter found in hi* room stated that he was resolved to kill himself because he was hard up. John Adams, licensee of the Swan Hotel, appeared at the Auckland Police Court, on Saturday, for a breach of the Licensing Act by supplying liquor to Thomas Joseph Franks whilst in a state of intoxication. By advice of his counsel Adams pleaded guilty, under extenuating circumstances. His counsel urged m mitigation of the penalty that Adams had already been a great sufferer and had lost £3OO in his business. He was prepared to offer Franks £2OO in full settlement of his claim, and if he should refuse that sum Adams would be compelled to take the benefit of the Debtors and Creditors Act and Franks would have to share with the rest of his creditors. He thought -justice had been fully satisfied. Adams was no longer'a licensed hotelkeeper, the license of the Swan having been virtually transferred to Michael Gallagher, who was in possession of the hotel and was oonduotiug the business. His Worship said he should under the ciroum»tftnees have

inflicted the heaviest fine allowable by law, but after what counsel had said the fine would be £2O and costs. On Saturday last a man was killed by the train due at Waikari at 3.30 p.m. From the summit of the Waikari station there is a steep incline, and the train was going at a good speed, so that before it could be stopped, though all brakes were put hard down, the engine ran on to him. Deceased was a tall, elderly man but not ' known in the district, and was lying > across both rails. The engine drew up on the bodv, the noise of the train and the engine shriek failing to wake him. When the train pulled up his body was jammed in the cow-catcher, the top of lr's skull was cut off, and both, thighs were broken. There was some difficulty found in extricating the body, and an engine had to be sent from the station to assist the train to get back to allow the body to be taken out. Deceased had with him a white covered swag and a billy in a handkerchief and was evidently on the tramp. He had called before the accident at vhe publichouse near, but no information was forthcoming on Saturday night as to his identity. . Early on Sunday morning, at JSapier, a murderous assault was made on a man named Maher. It appears that Maher and a man named Franklin were drinking together on Saturday night, and the former accompanied Franklin to his home, where they drank a bottle of brandy. A quarrel afterwards took place when it is supposed Franklin split Maher's head open with an axe, as hewas found lying in Franklin's house with a fearful gash in the left temple, about five inches long. Maher was taken to the hospital, but faint hopes are given of his recovery. Franklin was arrested on Sunday, and brought up yesterday ; morning. ______—