INTERPROVINCIAL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 32, 7 February 1881, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL.

FATAL FIRE. THREE CHILDREN BURNT TO DEATH. Wellington, Monday. A fire attended with fatal results occurred at Newton at ten o'clock on Saturday night, a house occupied by Charles Whittington, a driver, being destroyed and his three children, Herbert Christopher Whittington, Sarah Olive Whittington, and Milly Whittington. aged 6 years, 3 years, and ten months respectively, burnt to death. Mrs Whittington put the children to bed early in the evening and came to town, her husband remaining in the house. He left the building about an hour later to meet his wife. On their return, and when near the house there was a strong smell of fire and Whittington ran to the house and discovered the house to be on fire. He gained admission but was unable to reach the children. The fire by this time bad a firm hold and all efforts to rescue the inmates were unavailing. Great excitement prevailed among the spectators when it was known that the children were in the burning building. Whittiugton states that everything was safe when he left and that no lights were left burning, but two sticks of wood were burning in the kitchen fire place. It is not known how the fire orignated, but it is thought it must have been caused by the fire in the kitchen. The remains were found at midnight. The boy was not much burnt, but only the trunk of the eldest girl was found and nearly all traces of the infant were destroyed by fire. 'Whittington saved nothing, and being uninsured is a heavy loser. The building which was totally consumed was owned by Sutherland and it is not known if it was insured. A stable and coach house were destroyed by fire at Carterton. They were insured for £300. One horse was burnt. The hotel and Public Hall were saved with difficulty. Invbrcahgili/, Monday. A large two storey detached building in Tay street belonging to Mr Lockhart, was destroyed by fire on Saturday, the immediate cause of the conflagration being the boiling over of an inflammable composition of felting. The building was occupied by Thomas a furniture dealer and Cooper a jeweller. All interested were well insured, the following offices being losers: — New Zealand £400 on the building; Victoria £300 on the stock of Thomas, most of which was saved; Standard and National £100 each on Cooper's tools and furniture. Dunbdin, Monday. ! A fatal accident happened at Waikato (?) on Thursday to a daughter of Mr S. Mclntosb aged 18. She was thrown from her horse and her foot caugbt in the stirrup, . and she was dragged a considerable distance and died an hour afterwards from concussion of the brain. Blujt, Monday. Arrived : Rotomahana from Melbourne. She sails at 5 pro for Dunedin. New Pltmotjtu, Monday. To-day is observed as a general holiday in consequence of the laying of the first stone \ of the harbor works. The town is decorated with flags and a procession will be formed at ' noon. The stone will be laid by Mr F. A. , CarriDgton at 3 p.m. There will be sports [ and boat racing, and fireworks in the evening, [ The weather is exquisite.