SAD OCCURRENCE AT WAIORONGOMAI.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 292, 22 August 1888, Page 2

SAD OCCURRENCE AT WAIORONGOMAI.

On Sunday evening 1 last about four o'clock a lamentable affair occurred at Waiorongomai, whereby a fine little boy, two and a half years old, the son of Mr Thos. Casey, a miner, lost his life. It appears that about the hour mentioned Mrs Casey left her two children (the second being about eleven months old) alone for a very few minutes, giving them some lollies, etc., to amusa them in her absence whilst she went to a neighbours for some milk, not being away she states five minutes altogether. On her return, however, a sad sight met hei view — the little boy's clothes beim> nil on fire,, and the poor child in a state of great terror. The mother quickly extinguished the firo. and applied soothing remedies to allny tho pain, a werk in which many kind neighbours rendered willing assistance. On examination it was found the lower part of the body and the thighs were severely burnt, a thick flannel wrap

having saved the upper portion of the body. There being: »o medical man within reach, Mr JRobsou, ch<misfc, w;>& son t for, -oho dressed the wounds, and was most attentive to the poor little sufferer up to the time of its decease, doing- evetything lie could to allay the pain. But the shock to the system was too groat, and the little fellow became unconscious about noon and died about half-past one on Monday. With respect to the cause of the accident, there can be little doubt ib arose through the little fellow taking a newspaper off the table and setting it alight at the fire, with the result that his cotton pinafore took fire also, as the half burnt remains of portions of the paper were found on the floor, The child was a fine well grown lad for his age, and much sympathy is felt for the parent in their trouble. Sergeant Emerson, as soon as he was aware of the death of thechild, telegraphed informing Mr Searancke, Coroner, Cambridge. Mr Searancke, coroner, arrived at Te Arohabj train yesterday, but the inquest, which was to have been held on his arrival, was postponed till 11 a.m to-day, much to the inconvenience of 'the bereaved parents and all concerned, everything being in readiness to have the enquiry held as soon as the coroner could reach Waiorongomai, after his arrival by the train.