FIRE AT CAMBRIDGE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1835, 10 November 1884, Page 2

FIRE AT CAMBRIDGE.

THREE CHILDREN BURNT TO DEATH.

Auckland, November 9ft An inquest was held at Cambi'Sfe yesterday on the bodies of three children burnt to death on the previous day in a hut near Cambridge, namely, James Oabwno, aged four yea^s; Juliette Alico Osborne, two years j and Agnes-Mary Osborne, five'months, The jury returned a verdiot of acoidental death. It appeared from the evidence that the mother left the houso about 1 o'clock to go to Cambridge to do some shopping leaving three children at home. The infant was locked qp in a bedroom by itself, andW the other two were shut up in the kitcheu. Eer object in so doing was that they should not go to the river, a few cbains.distant. Her bußbaudwho was working in a paddock a quarter of a mile away, noticed smoke issuing from tho house, aud,' accompanied by John Arnold, proceeded to the spot. Ho entered the houso aud after feelingabout on the floor was compelled to retire Af Butfooated. After anothorfutiloattonfyt to enter, the houso collapsed, a burning maßs. Thinking that his wife might have the children with her he went up to the town and met her returning; she having heard meanwhile that her hous6 was on fire, The remains wore found by the police, but were unrecognisable. &, The cause of tho fire is unknown, butimW is believed the boy got ' matches, and being in the habit of striking them set fire to his clothes or to some paper. Usborne lost bis all by the fire and a subscription of ,£6O has been raised for him.