GIRL'S TRAGIC DEATH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21164, 22 April 1932, Page 10

GIRL'S TRAGIC DEATH.

ENVELOPED IN FLAMES.

ACCIDENT AT FACTORY. CRITICISM BY CORONER. PREMISES NOT REGISTERED. Criticism of a small, unregistered suburban factory was made by ]\lr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., coroner, at the inquest Vestorday afternoon concerning the death of- j\liss Pearl Eliza Cunnold, aged 22. M iss Cunnold, who resided at 95, Ft. Luke's Road, Mount Albert, received fatal injuries on March 16 while working .at tlie factory of Messrs. Bock and Company, manufacturing chemists, 15, Marsden Avenue, Mount Eden. "This young life was thrown away owing to a disregard of thp regulations for the preservation of life," said the coroner, in recommending to an inspector of factories who was present that steps should be taken to prosecute the deceased's employer, Paul Bock, for failing to register his factory. At the time of the accident deceased was heating a benzine tin containing wax for the manufacture of floor polish, over an open fire. Her clothing became ignited and she was enveloped in flames, receiving extensive and severe burns. Sho <lied in the Auckland Hospital four pnd a-half hours after admission. There were no eye-witnesses of the accident. Examination of Factory. Robert Everett Price, inspector of factories, said that, after the accident he examined the- factory building, which was situated on a residential property. "Tho building is composed of a collection of coirugated iron sheds, built as additions to a main section of wood and iron," said witness. "The building was a factory within the meaning of the Factories Act for approximately six years, by reason of the fact that two or more persons were engaged therein. When the occupier was questioned by me in regard to his failure to apply for the registration of his factory, he replied that he did not think it was necessary to register, with only one employee and himself engaged in manufacturing. " Deceased's employer explained to me that the customary process of manufacture of floor polish was to heat approximately one-sixth of a benzine tin of prepared wax oyer an open fire. When the wax in the tin was melted the tin was removed to another portion of the building, where a quantity of turpentine jvas added to almost fill the tin. " Very Dangerous Method."

"Had application been made by the occupier of the premises for registration J would not have granted it unless a different method of melting the wax was used. The method in use I consider to Le a very dangerous one. The open fire on which the wax was melted was low and the grate projected outward, and to lift anything off the fire would necessitate a person approaching dangerously near the flames. In the case of females wearing skirts the danger would be ever present. Another source of clanger was the fact that the benzine tins in use had not handles by which they could be removed from the fire, when they might possibly be too hot to handle. "The portion of the building where the fireplace was housed was somewhat dark and cramped, with an uneven earth floor. The space for working in around the fire was further limited by fittings, such as tables. At the time of my visit there was a benzine tin almost full of wax standing within three feet of the fireplace; also a blackened benzine tin, which, I was told, was the one the girl was using at the time of the accident. "Constable Belcher arrived at the factory while I was there and informed me ' that a number of tins and a barrel had been removed from the vicinity of the fire subsequent to the accident. In that case the working space must have been severely limited, thus adding to the clanger of accident." "Good gracious me!" remarked Mr. Hunt. "You would think we were back in the middle of last century to have a factory like this." Evidence of Factory Owner.

Paul Bock said that when the accident Occurred he was absent from Auckland, deceased being in charge of the factory. Deceased '*& d been employed in the factory for the past six years and was a competent worker. In witness' opinion deceased was lifting a tin of wax from tlie fireplace when her dress caught alight. She should not have melted the wax in benzine tins without handles as other benzine tins, with handles, were provided for the purpose. As a precaution against harm witness had given deceased a leather waistcoat and aprons, overalls and < logs. She should have worn these clothes while at work at the fire. .Tames Maskell. deputy-superintendent of the Mount Eden Fire Brigade, gave Evidence of having rendered first aid to deceased after the accident and of havSng extinguished the fire at the factory. "In my opinion the place was nothing •fiut a death trap," added witness. "A fue was burning in (he fireplace when I first went in and I put it- out with a ho<;e." The coroner returned a verdict that 'deceased died from shock following burns received while working in the employ of Bock arid Company.