DROWNING OF A CHILD IN HOWESTREET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 4480, 23 March 1876, Page 3

DROWNING OF A CHILD IN HOWESTREET.

We have this morning, to. chronicle anotherfatal accident, this time to a child two years of ace named Mary, Staunton. It appears that° about noon yesterday;, the child was playing in an enclosed allotment in Howestreet, about 100 yards from her home, where her mother was engaged in washing. Alarmed at the long absence of the child, the mother went in quest of her, and after some searching, found her body floating on the surface of the water in an uncovered well. With the help of a neighbour and a clothes-prop the body was recovered and carried into the house, where remedial measures were about to be taken when an old woman made her appearance and cautioned them against doin" anything until the police arrived. With a credulity, which we cannot understand, the stupid advice of the old dame was acted on, and a messenger at oncc despatched to the police-station, from whence Constable Gamble soon after arrived. He did everythinginhispowertorestore animation to the body, but without success. Dr. Dawson was also sent for, and promptly answered the summons, but his services were also of no avail. An inquest will be held on the remains this afternoon, at the Freeman's Hotel, immediately at the conclusion of the other inquest. We think it is a pity that, amongst our numerous city by-laws, there should not be one making it imperative to have a low wall round the top of every well, which would prevent children from falling in. We believe that exposed wells are seen to by the Sanatory Inspector, but there is one in an open allotment, within a few yards of Hobson-street, near the house being built for Mr. Greenway, which is frequently left'quite uncovered.