The Bradford Disaster.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 3, Issue 39, 21 March 1883, Page 2

The Bradford Disaster.

FCTRTHEEi DHI TAILS.

It seems that the safety of the chimney et Bradford which fell and caused such loss of life and property was often questioned. The fear and trepidation with which th 3 poor operatives had for some tune past gone to wovk m the mill was touchingly described by a bereaved mother m her evidence before the coroner. Ihia po^r woman, named Hancock, whose son, aged 13, her only scource and help, had been killed, said : On Thursday morning he awoke shortly before 6 o'clock, and, as there was a strong wind blowing, the poor little fellow remarked, " Oh, mother, I don't want to go this morning. There'll sure to be someone killed at yon place." The mother made answer, ' But lad, this is't week I've rent to pay, so tha' mungo.' The boy cheerfully obeyed, and called ' Good morning' to his mother, and disappeared m the darkness of the morning. She did not again see him alive. la answer to the Coroner as to whether the boy had said anything about the chimney previously, the mother stated : 'On the evening before it fell my poor lad was at tea, and he commenced talking about the chimney ; he moved his hand backward and forward, aaid, ' I seed it sway this way and this way to-day.' I said •James, lad, don't talk on that way,' aud he replied, 4 Well, mother, you'll see the chimney will be down before 24 hours.' 1 then answered, ' No, lad, master will know better than that, and will never let you work m danger.' " As this poor creature was giving, this narrative she broke down more than once, and before she had finished several of those present had to dry thoir cheeks.