Isabella Tassy, (1844-25/5/1874). "that notorious establishment"

Between 10 and 11 p.m. on Wednesday week a woman was found lying behind Messrs Menlove and Co.'s premises, George street, in an apparently dying state. She could not speak at the time. The place was searched, a phial containing laudanum was found, and she was recognised by the Police as a woman of the name of Isabella Tassy On enquiries being made, it was found that she had got an ounce of laudanum from the shop of Mr Bagley, chemist, that evening. She was taken to the Hospital, where emetics were given to her, and she was kept up all night. She had so far recovered herself as to admit of her being brought up at the Mayor's Court next morning on a charge of attempting to commit suicide.   -Otago Witness, 13/1/1872.

INQUEST.

An inquest was held at Bristol House, Cumberland street, on the 26th instant, by Dr Hocken and a Jury, on the body of Isabella Tassy — one of the females living in that notorious establishment, and who was found dead on her bed during the previous morning. 

William Hall, the proprietor of Bristol House, being sworn, said he had known the deceased for the last five years. She had been living at Bristol House for the past eighteen months. She was living under the protection of one Andrew Montgomery. She was 31 years of age, and a native of England. From what his daughter told him, he went to deceased's room on Monday morning, and found she was quite dead. She was quite cold, so he saw it was no use to send for a doctor, and he went straight for a policeman. Deceased was lying across the bed on her face, her right arm extended, and the other doubled under her chest. Her mouth and nose were in the blankets. Her feet were touching the floor. She was dressed as when she left the tea table on Sunday evening. The bedclothes had not been disturbed; one corner of the blanket was slightly turned over, as if she had attempted to get into bed but had not had the power. Deceased was in the habit of being out late at night. During the past few days she had been very steady; about a fortnight before she had been taken up for being intoxicated. She took a good deal of drink, and was generally stupefied in her manner. She was in the habit of taking largely of laudanum, and would take an ounce at a time, two or three times a week, and also took opium. She would take a glass of brandy and an ounce of laudanum at a time. She was careful never to let any one see her take it. She had to take laudanum medicinally. She had got it at the Hospital when she was there. She had a pain and could not do without it. After she went to bed, nothing was seen or heard of her till she was found dead next morning. There were strangers sleeping upstairs on Sunday night, but there was no one in her room, or in the room next to hers. Montgomery went away on Sunday. He told her that he was going to sea for six months. They seemed to separate on friendly terms. She seemed rather put about over his departure. She said it would be a long time before she would see him again, and that she could not call on him for her support. She had no other means of support than Montgomery, and was a fortnight in arrears for board, and could not pay it up. It was once said before than she had intended to commit suicide — it was the time she was found stupefied behind Menlove's — by taking laudanum, but she then denied she had an intention to commit suicide. On search being made during the inquiry on that occasion, fifteen laudanum bottles were found under her bed: it appeared she took it regularly; and she was discharged. Mr Bagley, who supplied her with laudanum, said at that time that he had sold her quarts of it. Witness thought from deceased's appearance that she had taken laudanum before her death. Deceased was generally in a sort of stupefied state, and had been suffering from distress of mind for years. 

Mary Ann Hall, daughter of the last witness, deposed that she sometimes lived at Bristol House, and sometimes at her father's farm on the Peninsula. Witness last saw deceased at about twenty minutes to eight on Sunday evening. She was then sitting in the kitchen. She said she felt tired and sleepy, and that she would go to bed, and complained of having a pain in her back. Witness gave her a candle, and she left the room to go to bed. Next morning she was found dead on her bed. From her appearance witness believed she must have taken laudanum on Sunday: there was always a change in her appearance whenever she took it. 

Dr Alexander deposed that he had made a post-mortem examination of the body of the deceased. There were no marks of violence. The head and the upper part of the chest were intensely livid. From the appearance of the blood he was of opinion death had been caused by suffocation, or by taking opium. Coupling the statement that she was in the habit of taking laudanum, and also as to the position in which she was found, with what he observed on making the post mortem, he inferred that she took laudanum, became stupefied, and lying on her face was suffocated. Her nose was flattened down a little from pressure. He scarcely thought death was caused by taking opium, because a person in the habit of taking it could take it in large quantities. 

The Coroner stated that Mr Bagley had written him a letter stating he had known her for many years as a purchaser of laudanum. She was a regular laudanum drinker, and had no doubt taken many gallons during that time.  

Dr Hocken read from Mr Bagley's "Sale of Poison Register." The book showed deceased had purchased in the sixteen days preceding her death, five ounces of laudanum and six drachms of opium. 

Sergeant Dean then gave evidence. There was nothing in the appearance of the room in which he saw deceased lying dead to rouse suspicion. Everything was quite undisturbed as if death had ensued without a struggle. The top of deceased's nose was a little bent from lying on it. Witness was of opinion she bad been sitting on the side of the bed, and becoming stupefied, fell into the position in which she was when found. Witness then produced a number of empty laudanum bottles, which he found in deceased's room.

Dr Hocken said that was all the evidence. The evidence seemed abundantly to show that there was nothing suspicious in the circumstances attending the deceased's death, and he thought the jury might fairly take Dr Alexander's opinion as to the cause of death, as being sufficient. It was very probable that she took a dose of laudanum through her lover leaving her for six months — she was rather low-spirited, it appeared — and that she became stupefied, fell on her face, and was suffocated. The Jury were of opinion that the deceased died from suffocation, whilst under the influence of laudanum.

Dr Hocken: There is no evidence of suicide in the case.

The Jury would not give it as their verdict that death was accidental, leaving that an open question. 

Dr Hocken thanked the Jury for their attendance, and the proceedings then terminated.  -Otago Witness, 30/5/1874.

Isabella Tassy was buried in an unmarked grave in Dunedin's Northern Cemetery, in an area of paupers' graves.

John McAuley, (1852-29/12/1889). "dangerous even during the day"

 INQUESTS.

An inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of John McAuley, who, it was supposed, fell over the bridge at Otakia, was held at the hospital this forenoon. Coroner Carew presided, and Mr G. H. Smith was chosen foreman of a jury of six. The following evidence was tendered: —

William Heenan, farmer, residing at Maungatua, said that the body was that of John McAuley, who was from Ireland, but witness could not say of what county. He came from the north of Ireland, and witness had known him for five or six years. He might have been ten or twelve years in New Zealand. He was a single man. Witness had employed deceased as a farm laborer. He believed that a sister of deceased resided at Oamaru. On the 26th inst. — the day of the Taieri show — witness saw deceased, and told him to work in a turnip paddock. In the evening witness was told that no work had been done that day, as deceased had been sleeping. Witness could not state what business deceased had at the Otakia Bridge, but he had been told that he was seen riding furiously in that direction. When witness saw him last he seemed to have had a few liquors, but he was not intoxicated. Deceased remained away on the night of the 26th, and upon witness inquiring where he was — he being absent from breakfast — he was told that he had not returned. In the afternoon witness found that one of his riding horses was missing, and instructed an employe to follow the road leading to Otakia. The man went along the Otakia road, and, upon returning, said that he had met the horse, saddled and tightly girthed, coming in the direction of witness's house. A man could not have crossed the bridge on horseback; there were only two narrow planks, sufficient for a man to cross in safety. 

To the foreman: Deceased was on good terms with his fellow servants, and there was no indication of a quarrel having taken place. 

John O'Leary, storekeepor at Otakia, saw deceased between ten and half-past ten on Thursday night, the 25th inst. He came to witness's place about half-past nine o clock, and said that he had come over for something. Deceased had drinks in the hotel — three glasses of rum and one of porter. He left by himself, telling witness that he intended going to Mr Heenan's. There was nothing wrong with him. It was a very dark night. Witness recommended him to go up the railway road, as the night was so dark, and deceased said that he would not go that far round. He then proceeded in the direction of the Otakia Bridge. Next morning witness was informed by a man that deceased was hurt at the railway bridge. Deceased signed his name "McCully" not McAuley. When it was discovered that deceased was hurt it was decided to send him into the hospital at once. People are prohibited from crossing the Otakia Bridge, as it is dangerous even during the day. This was the second death which had been caused by persons falling off the bridge.

Fraucis Payne, surfaceman, said that on Friday morning he was crossing the bridge when he saw blood on a sleeper at the far end; he also saw a hat lying on the ground, and on going down the bank saw deceased lying at the bottom. He was alive, but unconscious, and was covered with blood. He was badly hurt, and was lying on quarry stone. Deceased was placed on a trolly, and taken to the Otakia railway station. It was possible that deceased might have been hurt by a train, and witness thought so because of the large amount of blood on the sleeper. 

Alfred McCredie, civil engineer in the Railway Department, said that the foot planking was only 18in wide. Witness thought it probable that deceased had been sitting on the foot planking, and had gone to sleep with his head resting on the sleeper. The train passing about a quarter to twelve that night would have crushed his head, and the projecting bolts in the sleeper would have caused the cuts in the face. 

Dr Copland, house surgeon, said that when brought to the institution deceased was unconscious, with his face covered with blood. He had a deep wound over the right cheek bone, which was fractured. He had flesh wounds over the ear and eyebrow, and had a compound fracture of the back of the scull. There were also several scalp wounds. He was so far conscious that he could be made to attend, but could not understand what was said to him. He also complained of his right arm and his abdomen. 

Dr Maunsell, with witness, attended deceased. Deceased became almost conscious, then relapsed, remaining unconscious during the day and night, and died at seven o'clock on Sunday morning. The cause of death was laceration of the brain and hemorrhage into the brain substance. The injuries could have been caused in the manner suggested by Mr McCredie.

A verdict of "Accidentally killed by a passing train " was returned.  -Evening Star, 31/12/1889.

John McAuley lies in an unmarked grave in Dunedin's Northern Cemetery.

Daphne Monica Munro, (1930-13/8/1946). "a popular pupil"

SHOCKING STREET ACCIDENT

GIRL CYCLIST KILLED 

PINNED BENEATH TRAM CAR 

A shocking accident, resulting in the death of a young King Edward Technical College girl student, occurred at 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon in the centre of the city. The victim was:- 

Daphne Monica Munro, aged 16, daughter of Mr Sinclair MacKay Munro, of 30 Chambers street, Northeast Valley. 

Miss Munro, who was a popular pupil in her third year at the college, had left her home, presumably to attend the sports meeting which was being held at the Oval, and was cycling through Customhouse Square, when, by some means not yet ascertainable, she came into collision with a tram car which was also travelling in a southerly direction. 

The girl was unseated from the bicycle, and was first caught under the lifeguard of the tram, and then became pinned beneath the body of the car. Efforts were made by a number of the horrified bystanders to lift the car in order to extricate the unfortunate girl, but this was found to be beyond their powers, and the task could not be performed until a jack had been obtained from the car sheds. Miss Munro was then rushed to hospital, but on arrival there she was found to be dead. 

Inquiries were being made to-day by the police with a view to ascertaining the circumstances leading to the accident, but no further details were available when we went to press. 

An inquest was opened before Mr A E. Dobbie. S.M., acting as coroner, last evening, and after evidence of identification had been given by the father of the girl, the coroner ordered a post mortem examination to be made, and adjourned the inquest sine die.  -Evening Star, 14/8/1946.

DEATHS

MUNRO. — On August 13, 1946 (result of an accident), at Dunedin, Daphne Monica, dearly beloved youngest daughter of Sinclair and the late Catherine Munro, 30 Chambers street, North-east Valley; aged 16 years. Deeply mourned. — Private cremation from our Chapel, 326 George street, To-morrow (Thursday), the, 15th inst., at the conclusion of a Service, commencing at 10.45 a.m. — R. McLean and Son, funeral directors.   -Evening Star, 14/8/1946.

SCHOOLGIRL’S DEATH

RUN OVER BY TRAM EVIDENCE AT INQUEST 

“The City Council may consider the question of having jacks placed on trams. We are living in a mechanical age and there is always the possibility of an accident.” This statement was made by. Mr A. E. Dobbie, S.M., in giving his verdict in the inquest on the 16-year-old schoolgirl. Daphne Monica Munro, who was killed at the Stock Exchange on August 13 last by a tramcar. Evidence was given by several witnesses that a jack had to be sent from the tram sheds in order to extricate the girl’s body from under the car. Mr C. J. L. White appeared for the relatives of the deceased, and Mr J. C. Robertson for the City Corporation. The inquiry was conducted by Sergeant J. Devlin. 

Dr E. F. D'Ath, pathologist, gave evidence that the cause of death was asphyxia, the result of compression of the air passages and chest which had interfered with the process of breathing. 

Herbert Taylor Starkey, of the Public Works Department, gave evidence of brake tests carried out on the car involved in the accident. 

To Mr White, witness said he had not examined the lifeguard of the car. 

Eye-witness’s Account 

Robert McKenzie, journalist, said that at about 3 p.m. on the day of the accident he was standing at the intersection of Princes and Rattray streets. His attention was attracted to a girl cyclist. She was in Princes street about opposite the south side of Rattray street. She was in the act of making a half-right turn on her bicycle when he first saw her. At that time a south-bound tramcar was crossing over Rattray street. The tram was travelling at a slow speed and so was the cyclist. The front of the tram was about level with the girl cyclist when witness first saw her. The girl completed her turn and rode alongside the car and later dropped back. Witness then noticed a north-bound car and he could see the gap closing between the two cars. The girl cyclist was then riding on the right hand side of the south-bound car. He saw the girl accelerate and pass in front of the south car in order to get away from the one which was approaching from the opposite direction. He saw the girl turn her bicycle to the left in front of the tramcar and then the front wheel of her machine appeared to slide on the tram rail. The girl immediately disappeared under the front of the tramcar. 

Ralph McDonald, a tram conductor, said that at approximately 2.58 p.m. on August 13, he was crossing over Princes street from Jacobs’s corner when he saw a girl cyclist with her left foot on the ground. She appeared to be making an effort to stop her machine. The cyclist was on the right of a south-bound car and witness, realising her danger, called out to her. The car struck the machine and the girl was rolled over. Witness said the car was travelling at a slow speed at the time of the accident. 

To Mr White, witness expressed the opinion that if a jack had been available the girl could have been released at once. It had been necessary to send to the tramsheds for one. He understood that jacks were kept at various places in and around the city. He had seen jacks carried on Auckland trams.

To Mr Robertson, witness said that when a jack arrived the girl was lifted out in a few seconds. The bicycle was on top of the deceased. Kingsley Alexander Blackwood Howie, a civil servant, also gave evidence of the accident. Witness did not apportion any blame for the accident to the driver of the tramcar. 

Dr H. R. Bennett said that he could not feel the girl’s pulse beating when he arrived shortly after the accident took place. 

To Mr White, witness said he had tried to get the girl out from underneath the tramcar. If a jack had been available she would have been removed almost instantly. 

To Mr Robertson: The bicycle was jammed on top of the girl. 

Donald Cameron Duff, who was the conductor on the car involved in the accident, said it was travelling at about 10 miles an hour and stopped within about five feet after the brake had been applied. He was collecting fares at the time and did not see the accident. 

Motorman’s Evidence 

George William Hunt Duncan, the motorman in charge of the car, said he was about 15 yards from the south side of Rattray street when he first saw a girl cycling on the right. She appeared to be between two sets of rails. Witness sounded the gong and then saw that the deceased had fallen under the car. It appeared to witness that she either got on to a loose part of the surface of the street or that something had thrown her off her balance. There was no other vehicle In the vicinity. He estimated the speed at between 10 and 12 miles an hour. 

To Mr White: At no time did he see the girl ahead of the tram. Jacks were not carried on cars in Dunedin, and he did not know whether they were carried on cars in other centres or not. There was, he understood, a jack at the Gardens, but he had not seen it. He had not received any information concerning where they were to be found. Witness noticed an inspector at the scene of the accident. He had stopped two motorists for jacks.

To Mr Robertson: He would not expect to see traffic on his right-hand side. In his opinion had it not been for the fact that the bicycle was jammed an top of the girl she would have been brought out without any difficulty. "It was an extraordinary accident,” witness added, “as both the machine and the cyclist were under the tram. It was the bicycle that jammed her in.” Witness explained that he had never been called upon to use a jack at any time previously. 

The coroner, in finding that death was due to asphyxia, expressed sympathy with the relatives of the deceased.  -Evening Star, 24/9/1946.

Daphne Munro's ashes were scattered at a place known to family.

June Helen Ann Cameron, (1929-3/6/1942). "jumped from the car"

 

OUT OF CONTROL

ROSLYN CABLE TRAM 

YOUNG GIRL INJURED 

Passengers on the 4.30 p.m. cable tram from Rattray street to Kaikorai yesterday had an alarming experience when the car became partially out of control on the steep grade leading down to the Kaikorai Valley terminus. As the tram gained momentum on the grade a girl of 13 apparently jumped from the car and received injuries which necessitated her removal to the Hospital. There were six or seven passengers on the tram at the time. 

The manager of the City Corporation Transport, Mr W. H. Mackenzie, said last night that, although the car hit the turntable at the end of the line with considerable force, the indications were that it had been brought at least partly under control again. Nothing more could be said, however, until full inquiries had been made. 

The girl who was admitted to Hospital was June Cameron, whose home is in Manchester street, Roslyn. She is suffering from concussion, cuts on the head, and abrasions.  -Otago Daily Times, 2/6/1942.

ROSLYN TRAM MISHAP

DEATH OF GIRL INVOLVED

June Cameron, aged 13, who was injured when the Roslyn cable tram got out of control on Monday afternoon, died in the Public Hospital this morning. An inquest was opened this afternoon before Mr H. W. Bundle. S.M., and after evidence of identification had been given was adjourned sine die.  -Evening Star, 3/6/1942.

DEATHS

CAMERON. — On June 3, 1942, at Dunedin (result of accident), June Helen Ann, dearly beloved only daughter of Robert and Bessie Cameron, 25 Manchester street. Kaikorai Valley; aged 13 years and 2 months. “So loved, so mourned.” — The Funeral will leave her parents’ residence To-day (Thursday), the 4th Inst., at 1.45 p.m., for the Anderson’s Bay Cemetery.

— R. McLean and Son, funeral directors.   -Otago Daily Times, 4/6/1942.

ROSLYN CAR ACCIDENT

The inquest touching the death of June Helen Ann Cameron, the 13-year-old school girl who died in the Hospital on June 5 following injuries received when a cable train got out of control on the steep grade near the Roslyn terminus on June 1, was concluded before Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M., yesterday afternoon. Detective Brown appeared for the police, while Mr J. B. Thomson represented the relatives of the deceased and Mr A. N. Haggitt watched proceedings for the Dunedin City Corporation. 

Evidence was tendered by Edwin Adolph Schlaadt, a gripman on the tram, who said that about 40 yards from the steps, as the tram was about to round the first big bend, the rope commenced to run free in the gripper. He applied the wheel and the slipper brakes, and then the emergency brakes, but the tram had gathered so much speed that these did not have a great deal of effect. At the bottom of the grade, however, the car was partially under control, although it left the track about 40ft above the turntable at the foot of the hill. 

Cross-examined by Mr Thomson, witness said he could give no reason for the gripper slipping. He did not see the deceased leave the tram. 

A resident of Falcon street, William Godfrey Hodge, said that from the rear of his home he saw the tram travelling down the hill at a high speed. He noticed a cloud of dust at the rear of the car, and when it cleared away he saw the deceased lying on the footpath about 30ft from the tramline. He did not see her fall from the moving car. 

Gordon Anthony Bryant, a car examiner, said in evidence lie had received no complaints from gripmen regarding the runaway tram, which had been overhauled in April. As was the usual practice, the brakes and grip were tested on the morning of the accident. They were then in good order, witness said. He examined the brakes after the accident and found the slipper and emergency brakes full on. The wheel brakes were slightly off, but the jar of the sudden stop would be responsible for that. 

Evidence of an independent detailed examination of the brakes and gripper was given by Maurice Fairhurst, a plant examiner in the employ of the Public Works Department, who stated that he had found the efficiency of the brakes to be exceptionally good. 

William D. Richards, city transport engineer, explained the system in use in his department in tracing and checking faults in connection with the rolling stock. In his opinion the cause of the car getting out of control was that it was not engaged to the rope because the pawl of the lever operating the gripper might not have been fully engaged with the teeth of the quadrant. It appeared, witness added, that when the brakes were applied the car was travelling too fast for them to be effective. 

Detective Brown said that investigations had disclosed no criminal negligence. 

The Coroner said he was satisfied that before the accident the brakes were in good order. “I am still, however, left in doubt,” he added, “why the car, after leaving the steps, attained the speed it did before the brakes were applied, and why the grip on the rope was not regained almost immediately. Whether there was too much loss of time between the original slip and the application of the brakes would appear to be a matter for a full and searching inquiry by the Public Works Department and the city transport department.” 

A verdict was returned that death was due to injuries received when the deceased fell or jumped from a cable car out of control on the Kaikorai Valley line on June 1.  -Evening Star, 30/6/1942.

Andrew Logan, (1879-9/5/1920). "jammed between the two"

DEATHS

LOGAN. — On May 9, at Dunedin, Andrew Logan, 21 Alexandra street, Caversham; aged 51 years. Deeply mourned.  -Otago Daily Times, 10/5/1920.

FUNERAL NOTICE. 

THE Friends of the late Andrew Logan are respectfully invited to attend his funeral, which will leave his late residence 24 Alexandra street, Caversham, TO-MORROW (Tuesday), the 11th inst., at 2 p.m. for the Anderson Bay Cemetery. 

HOPE AND KINASTON, Undertakers, 58 St. Andrew street.   -Evening Star, 10/5/1920.

TRAMWAYMAN’S DEATH

INQUEST ADJOURNED. 

Yesterday afternoon the Coroner ((Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M.) opened an, inquest on the body of Andrew Logan, a motorman on the City tramways, who died in the Dunedin Hospital on Sunday morning last. Mr W. C. MacGregor, K.C., appeared for the Corporation, Mr W. G. Hay watched the proceedings on behalf of the relatives of the deceased, and Senior-sergeant Murray represented the police. 

The following witnesses were examined: —

Nicholas Mathieson (tramway traffic inspector), Dr Harrison, Dr Scannell (assistant medical superintendent at the Hospital), Alfred Cameron (car examiner), Henry Hayward (conductor), and William David Poole (motorman). 

The evidence regarding the accident, which is supposed to have caused deceased’s death went to show that at a few minutes to 8 o’clock on the evening of April 30 the car which lie was driving came to a standstill at street to allow passengers to alight. It was a special car, and the destination was the Post Office, after which it was to return to the depot. The car in front of it, of which the witness Poole was motorman, was running late owing to a block in the traffic which had occurred earlier. 

While the passengers were alighting from deceased’s car at Manse street he left his platform and climbed up the two steps in front to change the destination sign, which was situated over the canopy. While deceased was so engaged his car drifted onto the car in front, and he was jammed between the two, and, though he assured inquirers that he was “all right,” it was evident that he had sustained some injury, for when the car arrived at the Post Office Inspector Mathieson took charge and drove it to the sheds, deceased riding inside. The latter was then taken home by Conductor Hayward. 

In his evidence Inspector Mathieson said that the regulations provided for the signs being set only when the cars arrived at the destination, and added that deceased had no occasion to alter his at Manse street. This witness assured Mr Hay that he knew of no cases where signs were changed before the cars reached the terminus. There was no regulation fixing the distance between cars at stopping places; but while in motion they must be at least 100ft apart. 

The witness Cameron, when he saw deceased's plight, jumped on to the front platform, blocked the controller, and applied the hand brake. He found no brakes on at all, and the control lever was open. Deceased told Inspector Mathieson subsequently that he thought the hand brake was on. The usual method of bringing a car to a stop (according to the witness Poole) was to apply the magnetic brake, and as soon as the car came to a standstill to put on the hand brake. This was left on until the signal to start was given, when the power was applied and the brake almost immediately released.

The evidence of Dr Harrison was to the effect that Dr Carswell had attended after the accident, but he v.as not available on Saturday evening last, when deceased had become worse, and witness had been sent for. He found extensive bruises on the abdomen, but could find no evidence of perforation of the stomach or bowel, or of any internal rupture. Next morning witness was again called, and found deceased in a very low state, and, being of the opinion that the latter could not live long, ordered his removal to the Hospital, thinking that possibly he might be revived for a short time to enable an operation to be performed, should it be deemed necessary. Neither Dr Harrison nor Dr Scannell (who gave formal evidence) could state definitely the cause of death, so the Coroner adjourned the inquest to Friday next to enable Dr Drennan to make a post mortem examination in the meantime.  -Evening Star, 11/5/1920.

TRAMWAYMAN’S HEATH

CORONER'S VERDICT. 

The inquest on the late Andrew Logan was concluded this afternoon before the Coroner (Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M.). Dr Drennan stated having made a post mortem examination of the body of deceased. Witness described the condition of the body, and expressed the opinion that deceased died from general peritonitis. This had resulted from rupture of a coil of intestine corresponding in position to the bruising. This ruptured bowel had been enclosed by an inflammatory reaction, limiting the spread of infection at first, but later extension had occurred to the general abdominal cavity, and occasioned an acute peritonitis and pleurisy at the base of the right lung. 

To Mr MacGregor (who appeared for the City Corporation): He could not say the exact date the injury to the bowel had been sustained, but it had occurred some days previously, and before the peritonitis. There was no doubt at all that the peritonitis was set up as the result of the injury. 

The Coroner’s verdict was that deceased died on May 9; death being due to peritonitis due to injuries received by his being crushed between two electric tramcars on April 30. The Coroner added that the evidence clearly showed that deceased (a motorman) had, after pulling up his car at Manse street, descended tor the purpose of changing the destination sign, and had left the car without the brakes having been properly attended to. The result was that the car moved forward and jammed him between the two cars. It was an irregular thing for deceased to change the sign at that point, as the regulations provided for the change to be made at the terminus. It would appear, therefore, that the manner in winch deceased met with his injuries was not in any way due to the traffic arrangements made by the City Corporation.  -Evening Star, 14/5/1920.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin. DCC photo.

Herbert Cleveland, (24/6/1894-23/9/1933). "for the man's own safety"

Herbert Cleveland was working for a fruiterer in Dunedin when he joined the Army during the Great War.  He was present at the liberation of the French town of Le Quesnoy in 1918.  His Army service was not unblemished - he was punished in June, 1919, for refusing to parade. He embarked for home the following month.

On returning to New Zealand he returned to his old profession and got married.

Herbert's story mentions his consumption of alcohol before getting on the tram to go home on the day he died. It is possible that he drank no more than the working man of his day.  It is also possible that he was one of the many returned soldiers who struggled to deal with what they had experienced.

FATALLY HURT BY CABLE CAR.

DUNEDIN, September 24

Mr Herbert Cleveland, a married man, aged 39, residing at 17 Peel Street, Mornington, was knocked down by a Mornington cable car last evening, and admitted to hospital with severe injuries to his head, from which he died half an hour after admission.  -Ashburton Guardian, 25/9/1933.

TRAM FATALITY

STOREMAN’S DEATH 

ACCIDENTALLY KNOCKED DOWN 

The adjourned inquest touching the death of Herbert Cleveland, a married man. aged thirty-nine years, who was employed as a storeman and resided at 17 Peel street. Mornington, and who died at the hospital on September 23 as the result of injuries received through being struck by a Mornington cable car on the same night, was concluded at the courthouse yesterday afternoon. Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M., sat as coroner, and Sergeant Wade represented the police. Mr A. N. Haggitt appeared for the City Corporation. 

Dr R. F. Stenhouse, a house surgeon at the Public Hospital, said that on September 23 last deceased was admitted to the hospital at about 7.15 p.m., and was examined by witness. He was unconscious and in a very shocked condition, his injuries consisting of abrasions on the left side of the face, deep wound on the right wrist, and deep wound on the right leg in the region of the knee. He had a broken collarbone on the left side, and the ribs on that side were crushed. He was bleeding slightly from the nose, his injuries being consistent with a fracture of the skull. He gradually sank and died about 7.55 the same evening. His injuries were consistent with his being crushed under a cable car. Witness noticed no sign of liquor on the deceased, but his breathing was not very deep, and it might have escaped detection. 

Thomas Moore, a tram conductor employed by the city tramways on the Mornington line, said he was conducting a tram that left the bottom of High street at 6.20 p.m. on September 23. Witness personally knew the deceased, who boarded this car. In witness’s opinion deceased was under the influence of liquor, and before the car started witness asked the deceased to take a seat. Deceased said he was all right where he was. He was standing, but witness insisted on his taking a seat. He did not do so, and witness went down to the Grand Hotel corner to call a constable with the intention of having him removed from the tram. Before witness got to the corner he received a signal to return to the tram. When witness returned deceased was seated in the corner on the side of the tram. When witness gave the signal for the car to start deceased stood up, and witness stopped the car for the man's own safety. Witness requested him to leave the tram, and deceased eventually stepped on to the ground. Witness did not see the deceased again on that trip, nor did he see him on the subsequent trip when he left the foot of High street at 6.45 p.m. The tram stopped at Macnee street about seven minutes to 7 to set down passengers, and after going about fifty paces he felt a bump and the car was immediately stopped by Gripman Black. The gripman and witness got off. and they saw a man lying underneath the front of the car near the left wheel. Deceased was conveyed to the hospital by ambulance, witness and Constable Brown accompanying him. The line was well lit up at that particular spot, and witness saw nothing ahead. Witness could form no idea of how the deceased came to be under the tram. 

To Mr Haggitt witness said that the gripman was keeping a proper lookout, and if the deceased had been on the line before they approached the gripman and witness must have seen him. There was a drizzling rain at the time, but visibility was good. 

Edgar Black, gripman on the car on which the previous witness was the conductor, corroborated the evidence of Moore as to what happened at the foot of High street at 6.20 p.m. Deceased was not a passenger on the car which left the foot of High street at 6.45 p.m. Witness said that after going about sixty yards from the Macnee street stop he felt a bump, and applied his brakes, bringing the car to a standstill almost immediately. Witness knew the man they found lying underneath the tram to be Herbert Cleveland. From his position as gripman witness had a clear view ahead, and after leaving Macnee street saw no obstruction on the line. Witness could make no suggestion as to how the deceased came to be under the tram. Had deceased attempted to board the car after it left Macnee street, witness thought he would have seen him. 

To Mr Haggitt, the tram was travelling at about ten miles an hour. It took about three minutes to get the car jacked up and the body out after witness felt the bump. 

Gordon Hector Reeve, a conductor on the Mornington line, said his tram left the foot of High street at 6.35 p.m. on the date in question. Deceased was a passenger in that tram, and after collecting his fare witness took no further notice of him. Deceased travelled to the terminus and remained in the tram, and was still there when they started on the return journey. The gripman asked him where he was going, but witness heard no reply. The deceased appeared to be under the influence of liquor. Ho travelled back to Macnee street, where the gripman assisted him off the tram. 

Alfred James McDermott. a gripman, corroborated the evidence of the previous witness, and said that when he assisted the deceased off the tram he took him to the side of the footpath. 

Constable W. Brown also gave evidence.

The Coroner said that there was no explanation as to how the deceased came to be on the line. The verdict would be that deceased died of shock and injuries caused by being accidentally knocked down by a cable car on September 23. There was no evidence before him to show that there was any negligence on the part of the gripman or the conductor of the tram, and obviously the condition of the deceased as regards sobriety must have been the contributing factor to the accident.  -Evening Star, 7/10/1933.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT.

Mrs Herbert Cleveland desires to thank her many kind friends and relations for messages of sympathy and floral tributes in her recent sad bereavement.  -Evening Star, 12/10/1933.

Andersons Bay Cemetery. DCC photo.

William Powell, (1869-23/12/1931). "as was his custom"

MAN KILLED BY TRAM. 

DUNEDIN, December. 23. When riding a, bicycle down Cumberland Street, this afternoon, Mr William Powell, aged 63, a bricklayer, collided with a tramcar at the High Street corner and was admitted to hospital, where he died a few minutes later. He was married with an adult family.  -Ashburton Guardian, 24/12/1931.

ELDERLY MAN’S DEATH

INQUEST ON CYCLIST 

The inquest on the body of William Powell, an elderly man who met with fatal injuries through being knocked down by a tramcar at the corner of High street and Cumberland street on December 23, was concluded in the courthouse yesterday afternoon, Mr H. W. Bundle sitting as coroner. 

Percy John Munn, motorman employed on the City Corporation’s tramways, said that on December 23 last he was motorman on a tram bound for the city from Howe street. As he approached the intersection he noticed a motor car coming along Cumberland street from the direction of Stuart street. The car stopped to allow him to pass, and as the tram was passing a cyclist appeared on the right-hand side of the car. The cyclist struck the right-hand corner of the tram. The cyclist was within four feet of the tram before witness saw him. He was knocked clear of the tram, and he seemed to be badly knocked about the head. There were several motor cars about both streets at the time. The tram’s brakes were in excellent order, and the tram was pulled up within half a length after the brakes were applied. A doctor appeared on the scene, and deceased was removed to the hospital. Witness did not hear the cyclist’s bell ring, and did not receive any indication that something was coming on the right-hand side of the car. Visibility was not good at the time. The tram was travelling at about eight miles an hour.

 James Kinross, a motorman who was travelling on the tram as a passenger at the time, gave evidence along similar. lines. He said that the previous witness had done everything possible to prevent an accident, and had made a good stop. 

George Moflatt McAlister, a labourer, said he was a passenger by the tramcar on the day of the accident. He was sitting on the left-hand side, of the motorman’s platform. When the tram reached the intersection he saw a motor car standing near the rails. His attention was then drawn to a cyclist who was travelling south, and who appeared to have his head lowered. The motorman immediately applied his brakes, but was too late to avoid an accident, as the cyclist struck the tramcar on the front corner of the right-hand side. The tramcar appeared to be stopped within half of its own length. The motorman sounded the gong as the tramcar approached the intersection. In the opinion of witness the motorman did everything in his power to avoid an accident. The cyclist was not travelling fast. 

Constable C. W. Kirk said he was on duty in the vicinity of Cumberland street on the afternoon of December 23. His attention was attracted by a grinding noise, and he found that it was due to the application of the tramcar brakes. He saw an elderly man being dragged along by the tramcar with a bicycle near him. A doctor appeared and ordered the man’s removal to the hospital. Traffic was then fairly busy, and as it was raining at the time the visibility was not good. He did not actually see the man strike the car. 

After reviewing the evidence, the Coroner said that Powell, as was his custom, was cycling through the city, and that he collided with the tramcar. the intersection of Lower High and Cumberland streets was a bad one. The evidence clearly showed that the tram was expeditiously pulled up, and the evidence also clearly showed that there was no negligence on the part of the motorman, who did everything in his power to avoid an accident. The verdict would be that Powell died from a compound fracture of the skull, accidentally caused through colliding with a tramcar.  -Evening Star, 16/1/1932.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin. DCC photo.

Frances Begg, (8/12/1919-10/11/1926). "failed to avoid the tram"

KILLED INSTANTLY.

CUT DOWN BY CABLE CAR. 

LITTLE GIRL IN DUNEDIN. 

(Per Press Association.) DUNEDIN, This Day. 

While on her way to Columba College School this morning, Frances Begg, aged eight, was cut down by the Kaikorai cable car and killed instantly. The child tried to run over the crossing in front of the car. She was the daughter of Mr James Begg, a retired sheep-farmer, well known throughout the Dominion. Last year he was president of the Navy League and was a member of the Taxation Commission of 1924.   -Ashburton Guardian, 10/11/1926.

GIRL’S TRAGIC DEATH.

KILLED BY CABLE CAR. 

INQUEST OPENED AND ADJOURNED. 

A distressing fatality occurred yesterday morning on the Kaikorai tram line, at Highgate, when Frances Begg, aged seven years, was killed through being struck by a cable car. The child was a daughter of Mr James Begg, and a pupil of Columba College. 

The girl left her home in Ross street, Roslyn, to attend the college. She had reached the crossing at Highgate when a cable tram bound for the city moved from the waiting shelter to the crest of the hill. The child failed to avoid the tram, and she was struck, falling beneath the body of the car. Assistance was given by passengers, and the little girl was extricated, but it was at once seen that she was beyond human aid. Death was evidently instantaneous. 

Detective Russell made inquiries on behalf of the police. It appears that the child’s elder sister, who accompanied her, crossed safely in front of the tram. The deceased attempted to follow, but there was not sufficient time for her to cross before she was struck down. 

The Secretary of the Kaikorai Tramway Company (Mr J. Hopcraft) stated that he had been informed that the tram stopped at the Highgate crossing. When it was started again it had just secured a grip of the rope preparatory to getting a firmer hold to descend the hill, when the little girl rushed in front of the tram. The bell was rung as the car moved towards the brow of the hill. The secretary pointed out that the company insisted on the greatest care being taken at the Highgate crossing. The conductor of every tram always stood out in front of the car to see that the line was clear. 

The tram was driven by Gripman A. McKenzie, and was in charge of Conductor W. Smith. It is stated that the tram was stopped very quickly. 

An inquest was opened at Mr Begg’s house yesterday afternoon before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M. After evidence of identification had been taken, the inquiry was adjourned until 10 a.m. on Monday. Mr Begg, the girl’s father, is a prominent citizen. He is a member of the Board of Agriculture, the Royal Agricultural Society and an ex-president of the Otago branch of the New Zealand Farmers Union, and he was also a former president of the Otago branch of the Navy League, and president last year of the New Zealand Navy League.  -Otago Daily Times, 11/11/1926.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin. DCC photo.

Cyril Victor Herbert Kelly, (1919-16/6/1924). "ran right in front"

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Dunedin, this day. 

CHILD BUN OVER. BY MORNINGTON CAR. 

Cyril Kelly, five and a-.half years of age, was knocked down and killed by the Mornington cable car yesterday. It is understood he suddenly ran in front of the car.  -Lake Wakatip Mail, 17/6/1924.

STREET ACCIDENTS.

MORNINGTON TRAM FATALITY. 

DEATH OF A SCHOOLBOY. 

INQUEST ON CYRIL KELLY CONCLUDED. 

The adjourned inquiry into the cause of the death of the High Street School boy, Cyril Victor Herbert Kelly, aged five years an four months, was continued at the Courthouse yesterday before the coroner, Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M. The boy left the High Street School at about 2.20 p.m. on June 16, and after walking down the footpath as far as William street was seen to run in front of a car which was proceeding towards the city. Mr John Wilkinson appeared for the father of the boy, Mr W. E. Barrowclough represented the City Council, and Sub-inspector Fraser conducted proceedings on behalf of the police. 

Mrs Violet Ethel White, residing at Mornington, said she was a passenger on the Mornington car which left Mornington for the city at 2.20 p.m. on June 16. She was sitting on the right hand seat, second from the end. As the car approached the William street intersection she noticed a boy on the footpath. He suddenly crossed in front of the car, and as the driver did not apply his brakes she came to the conclusion that he had crossed safely. The boy was on the city side of William street when she first saw him. She felt a bump on the car, but she did not think the child was underneath. Just beyond Maitland street she heard someone call out for the ear to stop. The car was going slow. She did not remember the car coming to a stop between William street and Maitland street. She could not say whether the gong sounded as the car came to William street. 

To Mr Wilkinson: The boy was by himself when she saw him first. He was then just jogging along. The boy ran right in front of the car. The carrier was down in front, and that helped the accident, she thought. The gripman usually rang the bell approaching William street, but she could not remember whether the gong was sounded on this occasion. 

To Mr Barrowclough: She could not say whether the gong was sounded at all. The boy seemed to be playing about on the footpath when she first saw him, and at this time the car was level with him. The boy then simply dived in front of the car. She was quite sure the boy never saw the car. He apparently had his attention attracted somewhere else. The boy ran from the footpath in front of the car. She suggested that it was the carrier that struck the boy. 

Mrs Annie Ada Gardiner, residing at Mornington, said she was standing in the rear compartment of the car, just inside the right-hand door. Before the car reached William street she saw two children running along the footpath. Just at that time the conductor came to collect the tickets, and she had to turn round. She felt a little bump first, and on looking back she saw something on the line, which she now knew to be the skull of the child. The car did not stop between William street and Maitland street. 

To Mr Wilkinson: She thought the two children were playing trains to race the car. She did not see the child again. The up car passed about this place. She heard the bells of both cars. The cars passed near William street, but she could not state the exact locality. 

To Mr Barrowclough: The boys must have been pretty well near the rear end of the car when she saw them. 

To the Coroner: She did not remember the car stopping dead. It was going slow. She would not swear that the car did not pull up. The gripman’s statement that he pulled up might he correct. She felt a bump, but they often felt a bump on the car — it was nothing unusual. 

James W. Hepworth, residing at Mornington, said he was a passenger on the car. He felt a distinct jerk after the car passed William street. He thought it was just an ordinary slack rope that had caused the jerk. This slackness often occurred. He noticed that the gripman started to work his brakes. The car slowed down considerably, but he could not say it came to a dead stop. At Maitland street somebody called out “Stop the car. You have run over a little boy.” The car was pulled np in an incredibly short space — he had never previously seen a car so quickly pulled up. The up car passed them exactly at William street. The gripman was not talking to anybody. There were no passengers standing in front of the cabin. 

To Mr Wilkinson: He was sure the up car passed them at William street — he thought right at the intersection. He remembered the incident of the passing well, as he heard the gong of the down car and shifted his legs because he thought he might be struck by the up car. 

The conductor, Alfred James McDermott, recalled, said the car came to a dead stop just near William street, without any signal or bell from him. He immediately looked to see why the car had stopped and saw no one get off. He then noticed the gripman looking back to him for the signal, and he gave him the signal to go ahead. He thought the gripman stopped because of the rope. He blew his whistle to give the signal to go ahead. He thought the car had remained stationary long enough for a passenger to get off. He thought he had given Constable McCartney full details of the accident. He had no idea where the accident had occurred until he got off at Maitland street. 

The Coroner said there was nothing inconsistent in the conductor’s evidence as compared with his previous evidence. There were more details in his evidence now. Continuing, the witness said he felt no unusual bump. The car bells were rung as they passed each other. It was the gripman’s duty to ring the bell at all times, and it was an almost invariable practice to ring the bell at crossings. 

To Mr Barrowclough: He had made a statement to the tramways inspector about 2.30 on the day of the accident. 

The Coroner said it was as well to clear up the matter. The conductor’s statement was quite a valuable one, given immediately after the accident, and before he could have known the exact place of the accident. 

CORONER’S SUMMING UP. 

The Coroner said that the careful inquiries made by the police had resulted in all possible information being obtained in connection with this particularly distressing fatality. The exact spot where the accident had happened — where the car struck the boy — had been definitely fixed as being the intersection of High and William streets — about the centre, but somewhat nearer the Mornington side. As to the lad’s movements immediately before that it was impossible to state with precision, owing to the naturally varying accounts of different witnesses as to what really happened. He thought the proper inference to be drawn from the evidence was that the boy was running down the footpath and that he then suddenly ran across at an angle immediately in front of the cur and was knocked down. The question arose how the boy was not seen by the gripman. The gripman had given a quite candid account from his point of view as to what happened. He stated that at the intersection the up car was crossing his car, and that immediately before approaching the intersection his attention was particularly directed towards the up car. His evidence was confirmed in several very important particulars by that of other witnesses. It had been conclusively shown that the up car had crossed just at the intersection. Mr Hepworth’s evidence was very valuable in fixing that point. As to the car stopping at this intersection the gripman had given his version of what had happened. Now, that account had been quite borne out by the account of the accident given by the conductor to the tramways inspector immediately afterwards and before the importance of the different points in connection with the case could have been apprehended. Assuming that there had been any collusion between the gripman and the conductor the importance of these various points would not have arisen at that time. He was not suggesting that there had been any collusion, but the circumstances were such that there could not have been any, even if there had been an intention or desire. He was not saying that the evidence was otherwise than truthful. All the facts showed the evidence by the men to be quite honest and truthful. Whether the car actually stopped or not, the gripman and the conductor swore that it did stop. The other witnesses could not say whether it did or not, but they slated that at all events it went very slow. They could hardly expect passengers under the circumstances, to say whether the car stopped or not, and there was no reason why the evidence of the gripman and the conductor could not be accepted on that point. Now what was the position they had regarding the cars crossing? The cars were crossing and the gripman had his attention particularly directed, in accordance with his duty, on the up car. The gongs were sounding. It appeared that the lad must have run out just about where the cars crossed. He was apparently looking down hill, and saw the up car approaching, and paid no attention to the car coming down. He rushed across to clear the up car. The lad was only 3ft 3in in height, and the apron on the down car 4ft, 2in in height. It was quite understandable that the boy should have got under the car without being seen by the gripman, apart from the other car approaching. The circumstances seemed to explain quite reasonably and properly answer why the boy was not seen. At first impression it seemed rather extraordinary that the boy should have been dragged 150 yards without anybody being aware of it. They had, however, the evidence of the passengers on the car, and no one seemed to have noticed anything unusual in the nature of a bump. Some of them said there was no bump at all, and others that there was just an ordinary jar or jerk which happened on this line. Other passengers said that the boy ran in front of the car, but they had not been apprehensive that the boy had been run over. There had not been anything to call their attention to the fact that this accident had happened. These circumstances, therefore, in his opinion, showed that the accident could have happened and that the body could have been dragged this distance without there being negligence on the part of the gripman, or without there being something in the running of the car which would have directed his attention to the fact that something had happened. It was satisfactory to know that the school authorities wore very alert in educating the children in the need for care in connection with the line, and that everything was done to make them careful, and also personally to look after the children attending the school. His verdict would be that, death was due to injuries caused by being accidentally knocked down and run over by a cable car at Dunedin on June 16.  -Otago Daily Times, 1/7/1924.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin. DCC photo.