Horrible Death.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XVII, Issue 4062, 8 December 1896, Page 2

Horrible Death.

(per press association.— copyright.) Gisborne, December 7 A partly demented Maori woman, named Akeniha Keating, wife of a European, met with a horrible death at North Gisborne. Her husband said he gave her her dinner on Saturday afternoon. He had to feed her, as she was helpless, and when she sat or lay down, he had to life her up again. She had been m that state for the paßb two yeara, bub bad been worse for the past two months. He then left for Gisborne, and on returning home at five o'clock missed her. He looked around, and seeing smoke m the orchard, rushed down there and found her lying on her back and the grass on fire all around her. She waa dead, lying m a dry trench a few inches deep. The grass was long and dry and would burn vary quickly ; but he could not account for it taking fire. He supposed she was smoking and threw a lighted match into the grass. She was m the habit of smoking, and was frequently m the orchard. She was about sixty-five years of age. A neighbour gave evidence that the grass was on tire for an acre round her. Deceased was dreadfully burued on the left side and both arms, and her hair was burned off her head. Her arms and legs were extended up both tides of the trench as if she had fallen from a distance into the trench m that attitude. The woman's mouth and nose were covered with blcid. The clothing had nob been burned below the waist. The verdict was " Accidental death by burning." Eight or ten years ago the deceased's mother was burned to death within a few yards of the same spot by her whare catching fire.