ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Feilding Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1409, 14 April 1902, Page 2

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

m Telegraph. Press Association Copyright Wanganui, April 13. An inquest into the circumstances connected with the death of a six weeks old child, who died at an Infant's Home, was held yesterday. From the evidence it appeared that the child was illegitimate, the father paying 10s per week for its maintenance at the Home. A verdict of death from natural causes was returned. The Coroner, Mr C. C. Kettle, pointed out that these inquests cost the taxpayers a considerable amount of money. In his opinion the Coroner should have power to order the costs of such inquests to be paid by those on whose shoulders expenses should properly fall. It was shown in this case, that the father of the child was quite able to pay, and yet the Coroner had no power to order him to pay the costs. The jury then added a rider to the verdict, in terms of the Coroners remarks. Christchurch, April 13. George Telham, third officer of the steamer Talune, died at the hospital to-day from injuries received while superintending the loading yesterday of an iron girder, which, in being hoisted aboard, slipped, crushing his chest. This Day. A three and a half year's old child named Newnham fell into a tub of hot sponge at a bakehouse at Opoka, and was scalded so severely that it died.