TELEGRAMS

Patea Mail, 31 January 1882, Page 3

TELEGRAMS

(PER UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.) This Day. TERRIBLE RESULTS OF FIRE.

SEVEN LIVES LOST. Christchurch, 30.—Yesterday morning a most fearful catastrophe happened at West Eyreton, by 'which a farmer named Henry Simpson, who has resided there for some time, and is respected as a most hard-working industrious man, was deprived of his whole family. The harvest being in full swing, Mr Simpson, who had reaped his own crop, was desirous of assisting his neighbors, for which purpose he rose early and had his breakfast. His wife got up at the same time to prepare the meal, and having seen him off, it would seem that she retired to rest again. At any rate nothing further was known as to what happened till Mr J. Stellars, foreman platelayer, who was on the line between West Eyreton and Swannoa, saw the house burning, and, passing Simpson, told him that it must bo his house. Simpson immediately returned, reaching the house about 9.30 a.ra., when he found it a complete wreck. Gradually the truth dawned on the poor fellow, and a search was immediately instituted by the police and neighbors. Having found the position of the bedstead, they were not long in discovering the charred remains of the wife and one ot the children,, and by dint ofpveserverence, found the bodies of all the children. It is supposed when Simpson left home in company with two or three other men who were working with him that Mrs Simpson returned to her bedroom, and that meanwhile the fire in the kitchen grate flew out of it, and set fire to the kitchen and staircase. It is evident from the position of (he bodies that the children were all burnt in their beds, and that Mrs Simpson must have been burnt in her own room while she was shielding her baby from the flames, as the baby’s body and her own breast arc the least charred by the fire, and the body was found lying near to her. The house was insured in the London, Liverpool, and Globe Insurance Company for £l*lo, and £25 on tire furniture.

Auckland Anniversary. Auckland, 30th.—To-day is observed a close holiday, in celebration of the forty-second anniversary of the unfurling of the British flag in New Zealand by Governor Hobson. The weather is splendid for the regatta and aquatic picnics, which constitne the chief sports. Entries for the various races are not so numerous as usual. Tawhiao is on board the flagship, watching the races, Taranaki Races. New Plymouth, 31st,—Nominations for the Taranaki Anniversary races are numerous. _ ,