A FATAL MISTAKE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9051, 10 February 1908, Page 7

A FATAL MISTAKE.

BOY'S SHOCKING DEATH

BX TKI.EORAPH—rBESS ASSOCIATION. PAHIATUA, February 8. A shocking accident occurred at Mangatainoka yesterday afternoon •which resulted in the death of Frederick Greaves, the ten-year-old son of Mr Greaves, of Mangatainoka. It the hoy rode his horse into the river near the Mangatainoka bridge for the purpose of giving it a •<3rink. Observing a shiny substance in the water, he picked it up, ..placed it in his blouse, and galloped \ jftk- ** 2 art proceed .only some 50 when he discovered that his clothes'were on fire. The substance, which he had believed to be a rare piece of metal proved to be a lump of phosphorous, which on being exposed to the air instantly ignited. The lad, who by this time was a mass of flames,* jumped off the horse and ran in the direction of the brewery. Constable May, who happened to be in the vicinity, immediately tore off his •coat and placed it round the unfortunate sufferer, and after strenuous •efforts, in which he was assisted by willing hands, he managed to extinguish the flames. The little fellow, who behaved most heroically, was in a dreadful condition, being burnt from neck to knees, and in intense agony. Everything possible was done to relieve him but faint hope of his reAvery was entertained and he died o'clock this morning.