DEATH FROM BURNS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 205, 22 April 1932, Page 5

DEATH FROM BURNS

jPress Assn.-

ACCIDENT IN FACTORY CORONER'S SEVERE CRITICISM OF GIRL VICTIM'S EMPLOYER "YOUNG LIFE . THROWN AWAY"

— By Telegraph — Copyright).

AUCKLAND, Thursday. Criticism of a small unregistered suburban factory was made by the Coroner, Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., at the inquest concerning the death of Pearl Eliza Cunold, aged 22 years. Miss Cunold, who resided at Mount Albert, sustained fatal injuries on March 16 while working at the factory of Messrs Bock and Company, manufacturing chenfists, at Mt. Eden. "This young life was. thrown away, owing to» disregard of the regulations for the preservation of life," said the Coroner in recommending to the Inspector of Factories, who was present, that steps should be taken ro prosecute deceased's employer, Paul Bock, for failing to register his factory. At the time of the accident, deceased was heating over an open fire a henzine tin containing wax for the manufacture of floor polish. Her clothing hecame ignited and enveloped her in flames, and she sustained extensive and severe burns. She died in the Auckland Hospital 41 hours. after admission. There was no eye-witness of the accident. Employer's Evidence Paul Bock said that when the accident occurred he was absent from Auckland, deceased being in charge of the factory. Deceased had been empl oyedntehizGEoil i-br WjaCE employed in the factory for ths past six years and was a competent worker. In witness' s opinion, deceased was lifting the tin of wax from the fireplaee when her dress caught alight. She should not have melted the wax in a benzine tin without handles as there were other benzine tins with handles provided for protection against harm. Witness had given deceased a leather waistcoat, apron and overalls and dogs. She should have worn these elothes while at work at the fire. James Maskell, deputy superintendent of the Mt. Eden Fire Brigade, gave evidence of having rendered first aid to deceased after the accident, and of having extinguis'hed the fire at the factory. "In my opinion the place was nothing but a death trap," added witness. "A fire was burning in the fireplace when 11 first went in and I put it out with a hose. 'The Coroner returned the verdict that deceased died from shock following burns sustained while working in the employ and Bock and Company.