Fire at Whareama.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 4, Issue 1062, 1 May 1882, Page 2

Fire at Whareama.

A WHOLE FAMILY BURNED TO | U.s- m f. s - >;r News reached Masterton this morniriß of a terrible catastrophe which ocourred at the Whareama Ferry, on Saturday, whereby Mr Smith, the ferryman, his wife, and two children, were burned to death, The following aro tho particulars as far as at present known : Mr J, Holes, who was on his way to meet his wife, jjrat- discovered 'the fatal occurrence, When he camp to the Ferry he saw tho house burnt down, and went closer up to inspect it, To his horror he saw Mrs Smith lying dead on her face' and what appeared to be Mr Smith close beside her, apparently covered with a blanket. On looking to see for the children, he found the boy a short distance up thp hil}, burnt to death, and the dogs had commenced to, oat him, Mr, Holes then went to the house again to Jook for tile remains of the other child, and is under the impression that the little girl was burnt with Mr Smith in the blanket, He had evidently tried to save her, and beon overpowered, Communication as

at once opened with Constable Darby, who proceeded to the spot,

We have received the following addi tional telegram on the subject:—Two men named Holmes and Holes returning from Flat Point yesterday found George Smith's (forrymim Lower Whareama) house burned ((own, and in the ruins wero the oharrod remains of 1 male and 2'females, supposed to be Smith and his two daughters. Probability of his wife being also burned but no proof as yet, Coroner Maunsell,and Constable Darby with witnesses are proceeding to the scene this morning to hold an investigation,