THE BURNING OF A WHOLE FAMILY AT WHAREAMEA FERRY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2842, 4 May 1882, Page 3

THE BURNING OF A WHOLE FAMILY AT WHAREAMEA FERRY.

FULL PARTICULAES. [Bv Teleoeaph.j [From Our Own Correspondent.] . , . Mastebton, May 4. Concerning the catastrophe at Wharoamea, it appears that Smith was observed riding from the site of the fefry' house on Thursday forenoon, and it Is believed the fire must have occurred on that morning, between 9 and 10 o’clock. The whare was constructed of toi-toi, and consisted of four rooms. Evidently the fire had burnt rapidly and fiercely, for all that remains of the deceased are a few charred bones. What are believed ‘to bo the ashes of the ferryman, with his wife and daughter, were found in ono of the front rooms, the remains of the second child being found, as already stated, on the hill side. All that seems to have been left of poor Smith was the skull, a pocket knife, and the tips of his boots’ indicating that he was dressed at the time of the occurrence. The woman’s remains were only identified by a portion of her spine, the busk ot her stays, her watch (stopped at 6 o’clock), a gold ring, and a few buttons. The girl’s remains were also identified from those of the boy by the busk of her stays. The only articles found in the premises were some copper coins. To show how far all vestiges of the sad affair were destroyed, we may add that the whole of the bones and what are believed to be the mortal remains of the family, were placed in a small brandy case. From the position in which the relicts were found, it is believed 'that the structure must have accidentally caug ht fire during the temporary absence of the parents, and that in trying to rescue the children, they fell on their faces and were suffocated.