DEATH FROM BURNING. [BY TELEGRAPH, PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Hokitika, Tuesday.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1285, 23 September 1880, Page 3

DEATH FROM BURNING. [BY TELEGRAPH , PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Hokitika, Tuesday.

Constable Stephenson, stationed at Kaineri, reported this morning the horrible death by burning of a woman named Margaret Hutchiison, and her infant child four months old. The particulars are as follow : — "David Hutchison stated to him that his wife and child had been burned to death the night previous at their house, on Tuoker Flat, a short distance from Kaineri township. .The. constable visited the place, and found the remains of a body. Both lees and one aym , were burned away aud the hea4 partly ' consumed. « No « twee of the infant could be found. The house consisted of two rooms only. At 11 o'clock jlast night Dayid Hutchison returned home from Kanieri, and found his wife lying on a stretcher in the front room, and the, baby in a cradle alongside the , stretcher. No conversation took place between the husband and wife, and the former went into the back-room, where there were five children asleep. He then retired to rest, leaving Jus wife and baby in the front room, in which room there was a little fire and a lighted kerosene , lampTwrthe table." At about-3 a;m., he was awakened by a glare of light and smoke.. He called to his wife, but got no reply. He then rushed into the front room, and foirad the roof and side walls allsablafee.' , He shook his wife, but she never attempted to move. He^ould not fet io the front door, which was burning, [c ran back to the bedroom, braised the window, and, had barely time to put out the five children,- who escaped. By that time he 'found* it impossible to get into, the front room., _ He ,^and the neighbors endeavored to puVout the fire, but their efforts were unsuccessful, 'fte house and contents were entirely consumed. An inquest will be held to-morrow morning.