SLIDING ON BANNISTERS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 17594, 12 June 1919, Page 9

SLIDING ON BANNISTERS.

A EOY'S DEATH CAUSED

WELLINGTON, June 1

A boy named Leslie Clifford Lang died at the hospital as the result of injuries received through falling from a bannister sit the Boys' Institute on May 15th. .Medical evidence was given to the effect that when admitted to the hospital Buckley was in a state of collapse. He gradua'Jy improved until June 6th, when he complained of headaches, and an operations was performed, hut the hoy died on Mpnday morning last. The cause of death was acute meningitis due to fracture of the skull. Tt was stated that it was the custom for boys to slide down bannisters. Deceased fell twenty feet, his head striking the concrete floor

John C. Cook, director of the Boys Institute, said the boys had been checked from the practice of sliding down the bannisters when observed, but it was difficult to devise suitable protection as a preventative. The boy's father, in his evid°nco, suggested thnt wire netting should bo placed to break the fall in the rnse of a similar accident.

Mr Fraser, S.M.. said it was difficult to check such practices. The authorities at the institute had done their best, and ho hoped pome measures would be dovise:! to make tho stairs secure.