DEATH OF CHILD.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 193, 15 August 1931, Page 17

DEATH OF CHILD.

Fell into a Heap of Live Ashes. ASHBURTON TRAGEDY. (Special to th 2 ” Star.”) ASHBURTON. August 15. An inquest into the death of Iris Jean Dailey, aged three years, who died on July 20 as a result of burns through falling into a heap of live ashes in the Ashburton Domain was held before the District Coroner (Mr R. Clark) this morning. Herbert Percival Clayton, curator, said that the gates leading to the gravel pit reserve were always kept locked, except when the borough council carts were depositing rubbish at the pit. The reserve was not open to the public. To Mr Drury: Since the pit was first used as a rubbish dump twelve months ago, children frequently went there and sometimes witness sent them away. There were no paths leading to the pit No one outside the borough carts w’ere allowed access to the reserve. Witness was instructed by the council that this portion of the domain was to be closed. Dorothy Mary Dailey, aged 15, said that she gained access to the reserve through a hole in a fence. There was no sign of fire about the pit. Her sister stepped into the heap of ashes and fell down. Witness pulled her out and took her home. They had played there on previous occasions, but never saw the curator. The Town Clerk said that control of the domain was under the jurisdiction of the Domain Board, which comprised the members of the Borough Council. No notice was put up to warn t .spas* sers, as this was not necessary. The Domain Board had the right to close this portion of the domain, which was used as a horse paddock. To Mr Drue*: The question of warning no ' :es had never been considered by the Domain Board. After evidence had been >ivsn by Dr D. G. Wallace, house surgeon at the county hospital, J. R Richardson, borough health inspector, and Constable R. Chibna! 1 , the Coroner returned a verdict that death was due to shock and toxemia, as a result of bums. He added a rider that, “in view of the evidenc. in this c_ I feel that it is my duty to bring before the bodv in whose control the domain grounds are veiled, the advisability of making provision to protect the public from further ac "V—♦« of this nature.”