NEEDLESS LOBB OF LIFE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXII, Issue 12452, 30 April 1908, Page 4

NEEDLESS LOBB OF LIFE.

"The number of children who die annually from burns and scalds through the absence of fireguards is almost equal to the number of young children who die from overlaying and suffocation." This was a statement made by Dr. Wynne E. Baxter, the East End coroner, to a Londou "morning Leader" representative* after reading the rider of *a Southwark jury, urging "that Borough 1 Councils or some other authority should provide fireguards." The parents in this particular instance stated in evidence that they were too poor to afford a fireguard. The child was left alone, and in, playing with the lire, set itself alight. "The case," said Dr. Baxter, "is typical of hundreds, but there are others who can afford to buy guards and will not take the trouble to do so. And as to the suggested measure of precaution, you cannot expect landlords of old property to put new fireguards in, although in building model dwellings and new estates it would be easy to put them in as fixtures. The matter requires a good deal of consideration; but I have never had it suggested to me before by any jury." Sir William Lancaster's attention was drawn to the jury's rider by a "Morning Leader" representative. Sir William is Chairman of the Housing Committee of the London, County Council, and he admitted that he had not seen it. "It seems to me so good, he said, "that I shall take the earliest opportunity of bringing the matter before the Housing Committee. I iiunk it a most useful suggestion, for we read almost daily of young children s deaths from burns, and something might well be done by the Council and Borough Councils in setting a good example.'