TAIHAPE

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8882, 6 August 1907, Page 3

TAIHAPE

(From Our Own Correspondent). An inquest was held on Saturday evening touching the death of the little girl Minnie Harris, the victim of the burning accident on Thursday evening. The poor little sufferer lingered on for about 24 hours, and died about 5 pan. on Friday. The inquest was held at the Gretna Hotel before Mr J. P. Aldridge, district Coroner, and W. McArthur, W. Parsonage, E. Jones, H-. Grun, S. Grossman, and P. McLaughlin (jurors). The first named was foreman. After hearing the evidence of Mrs Harris, Mr F. Armstrong, the Rev. Copeland, and Dr. E. E. Barnett, the jury returned the following verdict: “That the deceased met her death by accidental burning, no blame being attachable to anyone.” And the following rider; “The jury wish to commend the

prompt action taken by tbo Rev. Copeland and Mr Armstrong. ’ ’ Much sympathy is expressed with the parents of the child in their sad bereavement. From the evidence

I gather that the little ouo (about 4 years old) had been with her mother, who cleans the school, when she must have ran straight homo aud got hold of a lot of paper and put it on the fire in the kitchen of the Jiou.se. The flames ignited her clothes aud she ran out on the street screaming, which attracted the attention first of Mr Armstrong, who saw to the child’s assistance, taking off his coat as ho ran, and subdued the flames by rolling her in his coat. He was immediately assisted by the Rev. Copeland, and till the doctor aud mother arrived they did all in their power to alleviate the fearful sufferings of the poor child, aud their action in so doing is to be greatly commended. It was indeed a fearful example of the seriousness of allowing little children to play with fire, aui we trust that the sad termination of this fearful accident may be indeed a dread warning in the future. The burial of the deceased took place on Sunday afternoon. The Rev. Copeland conducted the final ceremony. We were indeed pleased to sec Mrs Behan, wife of our esteemed Councillor, out on tiio verandah on Sunday afternoon, enjoying the beautiful sun, as only ouo can who has been laid up with a serious illness for some time, and we trust that it will not be long ere we may see her about amongst iier family aud her many f riouds perfectly restored to health, aud strength again.