KAPONGA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 28 August 1926, Page 6

KAPONGA.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

INQUEST,

The adjourned inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Isabell Myrtle- James, aged 1 year and 11 months, who succumbed to injuries received by falling into a bowl of boiling water on a farm near Opunake on August 17, Avas held .at Kaponga yesterday, before the. Acting Coroner (Mr. A. E. Anderson) and a jury comprising Messrs A. Melville (foreman), J. Charters, 11. Henderson and J. Hey. Sergeant. J. Henry conducted the inquiry.

Dr. M. M. Hoc-kin deposed to the child having been taken to the Kaponga Private Hospital at- 4.45 p.m., on August 17, He was not present at the time, but arrived at the hospital at about 5.30 p.m., after the child’s injuries had been dressed by the Sister in charge. lie examined the child and found it to be suffering from severe scalds on the. shoulder, arm, trunk, thigh and buttock. The patient’s general condition was good at that time, although she was suffering from shock. The child rallied under treatment and improved during the next day, but collapsed at 9.30 p.m. and expired half an hour later. The cause of death was shock from scalding.

Eisio May James, mother of the child, and! employed as a domestic help on Mr. Fowler’® farm, gave evidence of being engaged in washing clothes, in 'company with Mrs, Fowler, late in the afternoon of August 17- Her child was playing nearby. Her first indication of " anything amiss was that of hearing the child scream, and she at once discovered that the latter had fallen into- a large bowl of boiling water that she had placed on the ground. She and Mrs. Fowler immediately undressed the child, wrapping it in a sheet and blanket and Mr. Fowler at once conveyed the sufferer, by car, to. the Kaponga Hospital. Ethel Fowler, wife of Ambrose Fowler, gave corroborative- evidence. The jury returned a. verdict that death resulted from shock 'consequent, upon accidental scalding. PLUNKET SOCIETY. A meeting of members of the Kaponga sub-branch of the Plunket Society was held, in, the Town Hall yesterday, when there were present Mes"d .nines A. V. Tait (in the chair), E. L. Abbott, R, A. Law, AY. A. O’Neill, N. 11. L, Robert®, and H. C. Stanners. Apologies for absence were received from Mesdames -T. Hesscll and AY. E. Hollard. Nurse E. M. Dix’s monthly report', as follows, was presented: Did cases, 6; new cases (mother® and babies), 6; expectant mothers, I; mothers and babies to rooms, 66; nurse’s visits to homes 31; whooping cough and. influenza. have been very prevalent in the district. It was announced that the branch has established permanent quarter® for the visiting nurse in the Oddfellows’ Hall, in consequence of alterations to the Town Board offices. A recommendation was made that Mr. G. P. iCook be approached with regard to the screening of a picture for the benefit of the fund® of the branch. The branch officers took the opportunity of tendering their thank® in recognition of the generous publie support of street stall sales, which had netted £l2 135.. DANCE AND TOURNAMENT.

The dance and euchre tournament held in the Town Hall on Thursday, in aid of the public, school funds was well attended, the, takings amounting to about £l2- The supper arrangements were in the capable hands of the lady members of the 'School committee, assisted by several other ladies equally willing to help. Mr. A. Melville was a very efficient M.C. Ten tables were occupied in the ouclixe tournament, in which the prizes were won by Mrs. H. J. Briggs and Mr. J. Free, (after a playoff with Mr.. Skevington). The ‘‘lucky number” games were won by Mrs. Jones and Mr. J. Fever. Consolation prizes went to Mrs. W. Hislop and Mr J. Scanlon. Mr. and Mrs. J. Fever won the novelty card dance, while Miss Bennie and Mr. G. Williams carried off the honours in the spot dance- Mr. Vincent, of Kapunh contributed two very well rendered "baritone songs to the -evening’s entertainment and extras were played by Misss M. Evans, Bennie, and Iveliely. Mr. J. Kehely, chairman, extended! the thanks of the school committee to those who had contributed to the success of the function by gifts to the supper department and trophies for the several competitions. GENERAL/. The water supply at the Mangatoki Dairy Company’s factory at Malioe has for a considerable time been unsatisfactory, and the directors recently decided- on the installation of a large dam to overcome- the difficulty. Mr. T. R. Anderson, who undertook the work of construction, completed his contract on Saturday last to the entire satisfaction of the 'company. There is now a good supply of water at tlie factory. Bowling Club members and intending members- are reminded of tlie annual meeting of the club, to be held on Tuesday evening next, when a highly satisfactory state of affairs relating to the club’s financial position will be disclosed.