STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 12, 2 June 1914, Page 3

STRATFORD NEWS.

FROM OUR RESIDENT &KPORTER,

FATALITY AT HURIMOANA. TIIE IXQCEST. -An inquest was held yesterday morning at the courthouse by Mr. C. D. Sole, J.R., concerning the deutli of Dorothy She wry, paused by an explosion of benzine at Hurimoium-on Tliursday last. _ According to the evidence of Dr. Steveti, Miss Shewry was brought to the Stratford Hospital about 9.30 p.m. on Thursday, suffering from extensive burns extending over the whole body, except the face. She stated that she was moving a tin of benzine in the wash-house, when it exploded, afid flames burst out *ll round. The cause of death was collapse following burns. Everything possible appeared to have been done for Miss Shewry before she was brought away from Whangamomona by special train to Stratford.

Kobert E. Shewry, father of deceased, stated that she was 17 years of a»e. While at lunch about three-quarters "of a mile away he was summoned home and found his daughter suffering terribly from burns, which, she said had been caused by benzine. Later she stated that she had not used the benzine. On. examining the wash-house he found the benzine tin, which was burst at both ends and blackened, about two feet from the door and six feet from the fireplace. The tin had been kept in a packing case at the end of the building, about six feet from the fireplace, and when he last handled it the tin was about half full. Everything in the building was burning, but the building was not burnt down. Deceased, who was by herself, would be at least five feet away from the fire. No part of her clothing was of flannelette. Oil and wadding were procured from, the men on the railway works, and Dr. Hitch- • cock, of Whangamomona, was summon- 1 ed, arriving at 4.30. After the doctor had attended to deceased, he said she 1 would have to be sent to the Stratford Hospital, and the Public Works officials | ran a special train to Stratford as soon i as they possibly could. It was pro- i bablc that deceased had removed the ' benzine from the cam' in order to sweep ; the ease out. j

The Coroner in summing up the evidence referred to the fatality as being a particularly sad one, and expressed the opinion that something should be done to spread the knowledge of the great danger attaching to benzine. He strongly commended the officials of the Public Works Department for their prompt action.

The jury returned a verdict in -accordance with the medical testinmony, adding that no blame ua, attachable to anyone.

The funeral of the deceased took place yesterday afternoon, when a number of friends and sympathisers were present.

PERSONAL A farewell social was tendered to Air. ,f. Nelson at the Methodist Hall last Friday, when he was presented with four volumes of poetical works, also with a revised version of the Bible. The marriage of Miss Ella King, daughter of Mr. X. ,1. King, with Mr. 8. W. Dyson, took place at Holy Trinity Church yesterday. A very' pretty effect was produced by the girls of Miss King's school class forming an arch with bent wands, under which the bridal party walked. The gentleman who was found unconscious in Albert Park, Auckland, and subsequently died, was Mr. Archibald llulliwell, brother of -Mr. Herbert Halliwell, of the firm of Halliwell and Thom»os, of Stratford and Hawora.

GENERAL NEWS The poliling for the vacancy on the Borough Council take* place to-day at the Town Hall. The engineer of the Whangamomona County Council invites tenders for the formation of 50 chains of the Kohi road. The closing' date is .Saturday, June 13, at noon.

The. concert anil dance to be given bv the Stratford branch of the Taranaki Provincial Scottish Society at the Town Hall to-morrow (Wednesday) evening is being anticipated with great pleasure. The concert programme is varied and attractive, one of the latest additions to the list of vocalists being Miss Rising, of Wellington, a singer of great merit. The arrangements for the dance are all that can be wished for.

Your photograph will please them all —some of your friends have been expecting one for a long time—don't be satisfied with one taken years ago. Send them a fresh portrait, just as you are to-day. in your everyday attire. Having-your portrait taken is as pleasant as an informal call on good friends. Make an appointment to-day with Mr McAllister, Str.itfori

Office and Job Printing Works: York Chambers (upstairs) Telephone No. 113,