The Sainsburys of Menzies Ferry - a fire, an attempted rescue: a tragedy.

FIRE AT MENZIES FERRY.

THREE PEOPLE BURNT TO DEATH.

FATHER AND TWO CHILDREN.

A most lamentable fatal fire occurred at Menzies Ferry, Wyndham, yesterday morning, whereby Edgar Sainsbury, dairy farmer, and his two children (John Douglas, aged 1, and Mary Ellen, 18 months), lost their lives. 

The particulars are somewhat as follow: — Mr and Mrs Sainsbury, in accordance with their daily routine, rose at 5.30 and proceeded to the milking shed, quite close to the residence, for the purpose of milking their herd. The milking machine was set going, and the operation of milking was proceeding. Ramsay Summers, aged 10 years, nephew of Mrs Sainsbury, remained in the house a few minutes to light the fire, a duty he had regularly carried out. After doing so on this occasion he joined Mr and Mrs Sainsbury at the milking shed. The two young children were asleep in the house — the boy in the parents’ bed, and the girl in a perambulator near to a window in the same room. The sound of the dog barking caused Mrs Sainsbury to remark that there must be someone approaching, and the boy Summers looked out, when he gave the alarming information that the house was on fire. The parents rushed to the house, the husband being bent on saving his children from the flames which had a strong hold. He entered the kitchen door, and must at once have become overpowered by the smoke and the flames, for he could not have reached the children’s room. The mother ran to the window against which stood the perambulator in which she had left her little girl. She broke the panes of glass, and was at once met with a volume of flame which scorched her face and drove her back. The place was quickly a mass of flame which it was impossible to enter, and it was death to anything that was within. 

The distracted woman, knowing that she had lost her offspring, soon learned also that she had lost her husband. It would be a mercy to believe that suffocation mitigated the pain of death in all three cases. 

All that Mrs Sainsbury could do was to watch the flames accomplish their cruel work. Her cries for help were heard for miles — as far away, indeed, as South Wyndham. Messrs William Wilson, Robert Gibb and Neil Ross (residents at the Ferry) hastened to the scene. Wilson proceeded to Wyndham, and apprised Constable Bogue of the occurrence. 

When the fire had abated sufficiently, search was made for the bodies among the ruins. Sainsbury’s was found near where he had entered, as if he had fallen on his back. Little but the trunk of the body remained, and the children were more charred. 

Mrs Sainsbury was taken to the home of her nearest neighbour, Mr H. C. Christie's, whither many sympathising friends quickly repaired to bestow all the kindness they could upon one who had at one swift stroke of misfortune been bereft of all most dear to her. Mr and Mrs Sainsbury are natives of the Wakatipu district — he the son of the late Mr Egbert Sainsbuiry, a well-known Skippers miner, and she the daughter of the late Mr James Hamilton, of Arrowtown (a brother of the well-known former member of the Southland County Council). Sainsbury was a comparatively young man, being but 35 years of age. He was a blacksmith by trade, but took up a section when Edendale Settlement land was opened. He proved a most industrious farmer, and was on the high road to success, as shown by the fine state of cultivation of his land and the excellence of his dairy herd. It is needless to say that there is great sympathy for Mrs Sainsbury in her sore affliction: and it may be said that she is bearing her trial with great courage. The funeral of the father and children will take place at 2 o’clock on Sunday, at the Wyndham Cemetery.  -Southland Times, 14/1/1911.

WYNDHAM NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) The 2nd Regiment Otago M. R. went into camp on the Recreation Reserve on Saturday. Ideal weather has so far prevailed (except for a shower which fell early on Monday morning). An unfortunate accident happened at the camp to Lieut. Millard, of Murihiku Mounted Rifles, on Monday morning. His horse fell with him, the result being a slight fracture of the collarbone. After a few days’ rest Lieut. Millard hopes to resume work. 

The funeral of the late Edgar Sainsbury and his two children, which look place on Sunday afternoon was very largely attended. The service at the grave was conducted by Rev. A. Gray, of Gore.   -Southland Times, 17/1/1911.

Says the Wyndham Herald: On Tuesday 14th inst., an accident befell a boy named Ramsay Summers (nephew of Mrs Sainsbury, Menzies Ferry). He was examining a case of iron for an address, when it fell on him, breaking his leg, a green-stick fracture). Dr Baird attended to the injury, and the boy will make a speedy recovery.   -Lake County Press, 23/3/1911.

 CLEARING SALE 

On the Farm at Menzies Ferry, 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12th, 1911, 

At 11 a.m. Messrs Dalgety & co., ltd., have been instructed by Mrs L. Sainsbury to Sell, as above — COWS: 

40 Young COWS, well selected, (in calf) 

10 Selected Heifer 

CALVES 

1 Shorthorn BULL, 2 years old 

HORSES: 

3 Draught Brood MARES 

3 FOALS 

1 GELDING. 

PIGS: 

30 Well-bred Factory PIGS 

35 Well-bred WEANERS 

3 Berkshire Breeding SOWS 

1 Berkshire BOAR 

8 SUCKERS. 

PLANT: 1 L.K.G. Milking Plant, complete, Massey-Harris Binder. Cultivator, Drill, Lime Sower. Iron Roller. Disc Harrows, D.F. Plough, 5-leaved Harrows, Scuffler, Whey Cart, Blacksmith’s Bellows, Tools, Boring Machine, Grindstone, and sundries. 

TURNIPS: 10 Acres Drilled Turnips (splendid crop). 

Mrs Sainsbury is selling out owing to her recent sad bereavement.   -Southland Times, 5/4/1911.

Wyndham Cemetery.