Inquest—An inquest was held at the Black Horse Inn, at Ringstead on the 24th December, before Mr. J. T. Parker, on the body of Frank Ambrose Weekley, a child seven weeks old, belonging to Walter and Elizabeth Weekley, of Ringstead, who was accidentally suffocated on the previous night while lying in bed with its parents. The evidence of the parents, and that of Mr. Robert Holloway, surgeon, of Raunds, was taken, and a verdict of “Accidental death” was returned.

Fatal Accident at Ringstead

The Divisional Coroner (Mr. J. T. Parker) held an inquest at the New Inn, Ringstead, on Wednesday afternoon, to enquire into the circumstances attending the death of Ralph Groome, a labourer, who fell off a thrashing engine on Tuesday and sustained such injuries that death quickly ensued. Mr. J. Bull was chosen foreman of the jury, and the following evidence was taken.—Thomas Rawlins, machinist, Denford, identified the body as that of Ralph Groome, 34 years of age, who lived at Denford, and was a general labourer. For the past ten years deceased had been working at a steam threshing machine for witness. They were engaged in threshing for Mr. Ralph Whyman, at Ringstead, on Tuesday. Deceased was feeding the machine, and witness drove the engine. They were getting ready to thresh, after finishing one stack, about a quarter to six in the evening. Groome was on the drum, and just as witness started he saw deceased fall to the ground. Witness gave deceased the signal that he was going to start, and he replied “right.”—Charles Smart, labourer, Ringstead, said he was assisting at the stack, and was close to the drum, and fixed a board and hurdle from the machine to the stack. He then put his foot on the board, apparently to reach something from the stack, when the board gave way and he fell to the ground.—William Manning, labourer, Ringstead, who was also engaged threshing with the deceased, gave corroborative evidence, and added that deceased appeared to slip and fall on the board, which gave way, and he fell to the ground. He thought his falling on the board drew the staple.—Dr. Ramsay, Raunds, deposed that he was called to see deceased about 6.30. He was quite dead, and an examination showed a bruise on his head, and his neck was broken.—The Coroner said the board was put up as a makeshift.—Verdict “Accidental death.”

Fatality at Ringstead

The Deputy Coroner (Mr. J. T. Parker) held an inquest at the Black Horse Inn, Ringstead, on Saturday, touching the death of John Line, labourer, aged 49, of that village, when Albert Manning deposed that on Thursday he was riding a horse attached to a wagon on the shaft of which deceased was standing to drive. The wagon was loaded with 15 quarters of wheat, and as they were going into a field witness, hearing the deceased call out, looked round, and saw him under the near side front wheel. Witness tried to back the wagon, but could not, and he then fetched a man named John Wills. The road was very rough, the witness added, and the wagon jolted a good deal.—John Wills said that when he was called he found deceased lying on his face under the front wheel. Witness endeavoured to get the wagon off him by unhooking the two leaders and putting them at the back of the wagon, but the chain broke, and it was not until further assistance was obtained that the vehicle was pulled away. Witness believed that the man died directly he spoke to him.—Dr. Mackenzie, Raunds, said there was a great deal of bruising all over the lower part of the abdomen, and death would be due to rupture of the bladder.—The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental death.”

An eight-year-old lad named Maurice Major, son of Mr. Henry Major, Carlow-street, Ringstead, met with his death in a shocking manner on Monday morning.

A motor petroleum wagon was going slowly along the street when the little boy tried to get on the side step. He slipped, and the wheels of the motor went over him, killing him instantly.