ACCIDENTS FATALITIES, ETC.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2173, 10 March 1891, Page 4

ACCIDENTS FATALITIES, ETC.

Auckland, March 6- r - A woman named Emma Lilian Whittingham, about 21 years of age, died yesterday at Ponsonby from the effect of phosphorus poisoning. She was found to be dangerously ill op Wednesday night, and became unconscious until Thursday morning. In the afternoon, though she appeared'to •be slightly wandering in mind, she admitted that she had eaten about forty matches, and she died shortly after, The reason for suicide on her part cannot be imagined, as she was generally cheerful. The deceased was a domestic servant.

, To-day a party of thirteen tourists, who were at Taiketere, were treated'to an exhibition of a fight between some Maori men and * women on account of a dispute about the collection of toll fees. After-considerable wrangling and blows the riot was stopped, but it is-believed that it is not ended, as a large gathering of Natives interested in the Taiketere block is to be held to,morrow. • This is only cne of many disputes tnat have occurred amongst the Maoris regarding toll fees, and it is urged that the Government should step in and arrange the matter on a satisfactory basis. A mari' Damed John Eiordan, who was working at the Makarau Railway contract near Kaukaupakapaka, was killed yesterday by a powder explosion, He bad lightod two fuses m charges of powder, and althoughjhe had lighted a third he evidently thought he had nob done so. Immediately the first twc went off, he ran in to light the other, which exploded just as he got to it. smashing bis forehead to pieces and otherwise, mutilating him. When he vyas picked up by the other men he was quite dead. i Wellington, March 6.

. First-class Torpedoman Eoss, who was injured by the gun cotton explosion yesterday morning, began sinking rapidly this afternoon, and died at 540 this evening. Deceased was thirty-five years of age, married, and had been.a member of the Torpedo Corps for about five years. He had charge of the smithy connected with the station,

Densem,. another of those injured by-the explosion,-died at nine o’clock this evening. In the explosion Densetn’s hair was, completely burned from his face, which was covered with a charred mass of blood and cuticle. There were lacerated contused wounds on his left cheek and eyebrow, extending on to the temple. The outer skin came off his hands like a glove, while his legs were much scorched, especially about the knees and ankles; on the back of the left arm there were eight laperated and contused wounds, two of theip befog particularly large, exposing the JapenßetJ and pharred muscles.

Cornwall, the third man, is reported this evening as doing well. Cheistchubch, March 7.

A serious accident occurred yesterday afternoon to a man named Thomas Noble, who was employed feeding a tfiyeghfrig machine on a farm at the Selwyu Hp iyfi.B pqgagpd altering the drum of tjie mapbfoe,' and in gloving one of the parts with his foot he slipped and the drum took bia foot off above the ankle At the Christchurch Hospital it was found that amputation Ijelow the knee was necessary.