The Kiwitea Fatality

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 83, 5 October 1893, Page 2

The Kiwitea Fatality

The inquest on the remains of Robert William Taylor, seven months nnd seven days old, son of Mr Robert Tnylor, who is employed on Mr Duncan Mcßetli's propertj, io the Kiwitea, was field yes* terday afternoon, before Mr Jus. Linton, coroner. The jurj were Messrs T. R. Taylor (foremnn), F. Mcßeth, A. MeBeth, W. Mcßeth, H. Hick ford (senior), and Geo. Hickfdrd. The witnesses called were Robert Taylor {father), Sarah Jane Taylor (mother). »nd H. Hickford (junior). The evidence went to 9 Low that at ten minutes to fire on October 'A Mrs Taylor left the whure for the milking yard, which was about 30t)yds away, and took with her a child IS months ; old, leaving the baby in a little chair I secure so that it could not get out, with I a feeding bottle at its left side. The mother's view was cut oft from the whare by a shed intervening, and Mr Taylor was catching his horse in another direction when he saw the plnce in flames. H« hurried to the scene, with Mr Henry Hickford (jnnr. ), who was passing, and both did all they could but the Ike had got too strong a hold and thp.y could do nothing. The remains were in the same position as when tho mother left, so that the child could not have fallen out of the chair. It is surmised that the wooden chimney took fire. Thi- jury returned a verdict " That the child met his death by the burning of a whnre during the absence of his parents."