PAPAKURA.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 310, 14 September 1917, Page 3

PAPAKURA.

(See alto page 1.) CHILD'S TRAGIC DEATH s kn inquest was held in Auckland yesterday by Mr F. V. Fraser, 8.M.. into the cucamstances of the death of John Boyce Johnston, aged 20 months, the child of Mr flugh Johnston, of Papakura, who died at the Auckland Hospital, where he had heen taken suffering from scalds caused through falling into a copper of boiling water. Evidence was giv n by Mrs Johnston that on Tuesday last she was washing clothes, and had the copper full of boiling water. Witness drew the clothes out and took them round to the tank to rinse. The copper was behind the tank; it btood on three legs the lower part being banked up with turf about afc ot high*. When witness left the copper the child was about 30ft aw ay from it Hearing a cry witness dropped the clothes, rushed round to the copper, and ■aw that the ch»ld had fallen in head first ' It was immersed to the waist Bhe immediately got him out, and carried him to the house, where she pulled his clothes «if and poured olive oil over him She then sent for a doctor, who, after attending to him, sent him to the hospi'al, witness accompanying him.. J'r Frederick Spencer, junior , resident medical officer at the hospital, said that the child was admitted at- about 9 p.m. on the llth inst. He was in a state of col- » lapse, and was suffering from severe scalds on the face, neck, shoulders, arms and hands. He gradually sank and died on the 12th inst, tho cause of his death being shock following burns. A verdict was returned in accordance with the medical testimony, no blame being attachable to the mother.

The death-occurred on Wednesday last at the Auckland Hospital of Nancy Fmblyn, aged 9} years, the elder daughter of Mr and Mrs F. L. Bradley. Deceased, who had been staying with her grandmother, Mrs C. W. Cave, at Papakura for a short time was of a loveable disposition l . The funeral took place in the Church of England cemetery at Papakura yesterday afternoon, the Bev. W. C Woods being the officiating minister. Much sympathy is extended to the parents and relatives in their sad bereavement.