AUCKLAND.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2598, 5 May 1877, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

This day. i John Sumfeefc, an old man in receipt of relief} died suddenly.

A fearful case of burning to death has occurred beyond Lucas' Creek. A man named William John Peacock, a notorious drunkard, has had several hair-breadth: escapes. He went to Riverhead yesterday, got a bottle of rum, and returned; about five o'clock, shouting " grog oh " on landing. A lad named Jas. Nesbitt lived with him. Peacock drank the whole: bottle between 5 and 8 o'clock, leaving a; small drop in the bottle. He went to bed; and asked Nesbitt to give him a light for Eis pipe. Nesbitt lighted it, Peacock smoked, and when'the pipe went out he relighted it. Nesbitt went to sleep and was awoke by a sound of crackling, and saw the head of Peacock's bed in flames. 'He called to Peacock to get up, but he did no* respond. Nesbitt tried to drag him out. He was a very heavy man, and he only got him as far as the door of the partition. A powder flask under the head of Peacock's bed exploded. Shortly afterwards a gun hanging against the wall went off. Nesbitt was obliged to leave the building. He alarmed a neighbor name Richards, and both returned, but too late. The roof had fallen in, and the body was burnt all but the trunk. The police have gone up. It is supposed Peacock threw a match into the thatch when lighting his pipe.