ACCIDENTS, OFFENCES, ETC.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2737, 13 November 1894, Page 4

ACCIDENTS, OFFENCES, ETC.

At Auckland at the inquest on the body of William Gadsby Probert, brother of the late John Probert, the jury returned a verdict that he committed suicide by hanging himself while iu a state of temporary insanity. He was 75 and prevented from earning much. His money was running short and he had been trying to seek some land in the country. His brother left him £IOO as a legacy, 4 years ago, and the bulk of his fortune to the Wesleyan Church. It is supposed from a letter he left his children that his money had run out, as he said that he bad no wish to be burdeusome to his children, who had their own fight in the world and families to keep. The letter says, “My small legacy of £IOO out of more than £21,000 is drawing to a close. What little is left will help to lay me with your poor mother. I have repeatedly applied to the benevolence of the Wesleyans for aid, but I cannot got a cent. Where does their so-called Christianity come in ? ” John Probert acquired wealth and had no children, while deceased, with a large family to rear, ended his career after a 30 years’ struggle, as poor as he started. A Maori girl, aged 7, name unknown, was burned to death at Whaugaruru. A miner named Thomas Hurst, fell dead on Friday forenoon while working at his claim in the Waimangaroa Creek, West Coast. He was about 50 years of age, unmarried, -and a native of Stiley Bridge, England. He was an old resident iu the district.

Two lads named James Stuart (aged 14) and William Kerr (aged 10) were rabbit shooting on Tuesday evening near Waitati, Otago, when tho former was accidentally shot iu the right hip by the latter. Stuart was conveyed to the doctor at Seacliff.