Doctors Can't Explain Child Baritone

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 10, 13 January 1936, Page 9

Doctors Can't Explain Child Baritone

LONDON, Dec. 7.

Brian Staniforth, aged four, of Sheffield, lias a deep baritone voice. Ho weighs four stono and a-half, stands dft. in height, and takes one in shoes. But his most embarrassing characteristic is that deep baritone voice. “When ho talks outside,” said Mrs. Staniforth this week, “peoplo just stand and stare. It is like a miniature ser-geant-major speaking. He invariably causes a sensation, and people actually follow us just to listen to him talking. It is terribly embarrassing at times.” Brian’s father, Mr. W. S. Staniforth, who is the proprietor of a Sheffield firm of cutlery and fishing tackle suppliers, said: —“Six months ago Brian fell out of my car at Buxton and was taken to hospital there. He started to cry. For a few moments the doctor who was attending him listened in amazement, and then said, 'There is something wrong with him —something wrong with him.’

“It was some time before I could assure the doctor that the ‘something’ had not been caused by the accident, and that Brian was always like that.”

Mr. Staniforth has decided that as soon as Brian is old enough to go to school ho will have singing lessons.

The child has had a deep voice ever since he was able to speak. Doctors cannot explain it, but they have assured Brian’s parents that it is nothing to worry about. Brian has an elder brother whose voice and size are normal.