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Lawrence, September 30. Two boys named Hart and Herd were burned to death in a fire that broke out at Mr Clarke's bakery last night. The fire occurred about midnight, and the two boys were sleeping on the premises. -Bruce Herald, 1/10/1875.
FIRE IN LAWRENCE.
Two Boys Suffocated
A sad accident occurred in Lawrence at an early hour on Thursday morning, resulting in the death of two lads aged respectively 13 and 17 years. A few minutes past midnight flames were observed issuing from the back premises of Mr. J. M. Clark's bakery, situated in Ross Place. The alarm was soon spread by the ominous peals of the fire bell, and a number of people promptly arrived at the scene of the catastrophe. The fact that two lads, apprentices to Mr. Clark, slept upon the premises, was known almost from the first, but in consequence of one of those unfortunate misunderstandings incidental to a moment of excitement, no active steps were taken for their rescue until at least twenty minutes had elapsed, when both bodies were recovered, not only dead, but so much disfigured that it was found impossible to recognise at least one of them. Full details of this misunderstanding will be gathered from the evidence led at the inquest, and need not be recapitulated here. There is, however, a melancholy satisfaction in knowing that the best information that can be got upon the point is that the lads must have been suffocated before the fire was discovered; so that we may fairly conclude that from the first knowledge of the outbreak their rescue was beyond human power. The further information laid before the Coroners' jury tends to show that at least one of them was addicted to the somewhat common, but by no means safe, practice of reading in bed with a naked light; and although there is no certainty on the point, the probabilities are that having fallen asleep and left the candle burning, the light communicated to the lining on the wall, and both were immediately overpowered by the density of the smoke. That impression is strengthened by the fact that when found, the bodies were lying perfectly placid, no evidence whatever of the slightest struggle being visible. They both belonged to families residing at Wetherstones, and, as will be seen from the evidence, they bore excellent characters. As might be expected, an event of this kind has excited deep commiseration throughout the place — a feeling which was abundantly attested in the numerous cortege which followed the remains to their last resting place. The fire itself was trifling compared with its fatal results. The local Brigade, under Captain Hills, seems to have been promptly on the spot. In fact, we hear of Captain Hills being in search of his equipments before the exact locale of the fire was known; he being amongst the few who were first to discover the accident. Vigilance like this is worthy of honorable mention, and is well calculated to foster public confidence in the efficiency of the Brigade. Once on the ground, the Brigade was not long in extinguishing the flames, the supply of water at the mains being very powerful. A number of horses standing in a stable forming part of the building were got out, but not until the fire had taken hold of it; the building being subsequently consumed. The total loss, which is covered by insurance, is estimated at £150. It is right to add that the police were amongst the first on the spot, the firebell having been rung by Sergeant Titchener a few minutes after the first discovery. -Tuapeka Times, 2/10/1875.
INQUEST ON THE BODIES.
Yesterday afternoon an inquest was held on the bodies of George Herd aged 17, and Alfred Hart aged 13 years, the lads referred to above. The inquiry which opened in the Masonic Hotel where the bodies were lying was subsequently adjourned to the Court house. The District Coroner Mr. E H. Carew presided; Inspector Thompson being present on the part of the Police. The Jury were Messrs. M. Fraser (foremam), Peter Robertson, J. C. Love, Alex. McNicol, Jas. Crow, Geo. Silk, Wm. Sutherland, Fred Meyer, Chas. Bryant, J. Low, Thos. Arthur, Jos. Bell, and Edward Thompson.
After viewing the bodies and being briefly directed by the Coroner, the following evidence was called.
J. M. Clark, baker, residing in Lawrence, deposed — I have seen the bodies now on view. They are that of George Herd and Alfred Hart, both in my employment. I last saw them alive between 6 and 7 o'clock last night. They were then in my house where they were accustomed to sleep. They occupied part of the store-room partitioned off into a bed-room. My house would be correctly described as a long building about 100 ft or more. The room they slept in is situated towards the back of the building. They generally retired to bed at between 8 to 10 o'clock. Herd was a good deal given to reading. I have known him to read in bed on several occasions. I never made it my business to go and see if they were in bed, but if I saw their room lighted late — that is after ten o'clock — I would call to them to put it out and go to sleep. The room in which they slept would be about 7x8 feet. I observed a light in their room about half past nine on the night of the fire. I took no particular notice of it. I was out at the time, and shortly afterwards got home and went to bed. I awoke some time afterwards thinking I heard a cry, and became sensible of something like smoke in the room. I got up out of bed, and on going into the bake-house found that it was filled with dense smoke. Seeing no fire, I returned to the shop, and finding no fire there opened the door and went out. On going round the building by way of Draper's shop, I observed flames issuing from the back part of the building. I returned again to my house and put on some clothing, and then rushed out and got a bucketful of water to throw upon the flames. The storeroom and place adjoining were then on fire. In fact the whole building was in flames, from the back of the premises to the stable. Some one then came, but I do not know who it was. That was the first person I had seen. I threw the bucket to that person, and proceeded myself to screw the hose on to the water-main. Mr. Downes then arrived, and struck a match to assist in getting the hose screwed on. There were other persons present by this time. I then went towards the fire and called out: Had any one seen the the boys? Somebody answered: They are out; or, They are all right. I do not know who it was made this reply. I next returned to the hose and took it from the person who had hold of it, and played the water on the roof. Some one called out: Where are the horses? and upon going to the stable I found the door burst open. The stable is situated between the boys bedroom and the bake-house. When I got in, the flames were coming through the roof, and I caught hold of the horse next the fire and took it out. Immediately after getting the horses out I saw a constable, at whom I inquired about the boys. I thought I should have had seen them by this time. The reply I got was either They are out; or They are all right. The brigade arrived at this time and got in through the stable with the hose. The constable and the captain of the brigade were there, and the former asked about the lads, I pointed to where they slept, and theeconstable made to enter, but the smoke and firs were so dense that he could not face it. I again called out to know if anyone had seen the boys, and the reply was the same as formerly. The fire would be subdued in about ten or fifteen minutes after the brigade arrived. Inquiries were still being made as to where the boys were. Some parties said they were all right, and others that they were still in the building. I went down the right-of-way to see if I could see them. I afterwards heard they were found dead, but I was not present' when their bodies were recovered. The building was composed of sheet iron. The boys' bedroom was lined with calico and paper,.. The ceiling of the room would be about eight feet high. There was no table in the room. There was a board at the window upon which their candle usually stood. They lay upon two stretchers provided with bedding and blankets. The building was insured for £150, and £l00 upon stock and furniture. The premises were not over-insured; on the contrary, I would say they were under-insured. Both the lads were very temperate, and neither of them in the habit of going much about the streets at night.
To Inspector Thompson — There were boxes with the boys' clothes in the room. I had about 6cwt. of salt lying in the storeroom a few feet from the bedroom. I had flour, bran, saddles, harness, bags, &c., in the store room. I use a little ammonia in my trade, but it was kept in a drawer away altogether from the boys' bedroom.
J. C. Love, librarian, deposed that he knew the deceased lads. He last saw them alive about nine o'clock the previous night. They were then in the Athenaeum Library. They were in the habit of getting books from the library, and called to exchange them on the occasion referred to.
To Inspector Thompson — They were both perfectly sober when I saw them.
John Barkman, blacksmith, deposed — I went to bed at 12 o'clock on the evening of the fire. I was a few minutes in bed when I saw the reflection of fire. I got up and saw flames issuing from Mr. Clark's premises. I shouted fire as loud as I could and ran over to Mr. Drapers. Getting no answer I went to Clark's, but I still got no answer. I then went into Clark's yard, and again called out, but no one replied. From thence I went to the back of the premises, when I saw Mr. Clark come out. He had nothing on but his shirt. I was at the upper part of the building at this time - with a bucket trying to put the fire out. The flames were rising on the opposite side of the building from where I was. I heard a noise as if some horses were pawing, and I burst open the stable door. When I got in the stable was full of smoke. I could not find the horses heads. I then went and spoke to Mr. Clark. He came round with me and unloosened the horses, and we got them out. I then started with the bucket to put the fire out. At this time the constable came up, and afterwards Mr. Downes. Five or six minutes would elapse before we heard anything about the boys. Mr. Clark was first to speak about them. I said, where are they, and he replied in a room off the stable. I went into the stable but found the smoke so thick I could not see. Not finding the boys I returned and asked Clark what room he referred to. He replied a room at the horses heads. I returned to the stable again and started to pull down the boards. Another party came and helped me, but I cannot say who he was. When we got an opening the flames rushed through, and we had to desist. The Brigade came at this juncture, and they knocked down the partition with an axe. I then left to get some clothes and on returning the partition was down. A rush was made for the room, and I heard some one say he had got hold of the boy's leg. Subsequently, both bodies were got. They were very much charred. The fire-bell rung fully ten minutes after the fire was discovered. From what I saw, I believe the fire originated in the boys' bed-room. I heard no cries. From the time I first saw the reflection of the fire until the boys were got out, fifteen or twenty minutes had elapsed. The first I heard of the boys was about the time the Fire Brigade arrived. I do not think from what I saw that the boys could have been got out alive.
W. F. Downes was in Peel-street about ten minutes past twelve, when he was accosted by Captain Hill, who was looking after the key of the store-room in which the hoses were kept. He referred to a glare in Ross Place, but did not know whether it was a fire, or merely the reflection of a light. On going down Ross Place, witness discovered that the light proceeded from Mr. Clark's premises, and that they were on fire. On getting to the spot, he met Mr. Clark, who said — "Have you seen my boys." Thinking he referred to his own children, whom witness had just seen standing in the verandah, he replied — "They are all right." Clark again apoke about the boys, and appeared most anxious about them. Witness then ascertained for the first time that he referred to the bake-house boys, and not his own children. Witness inquired where they slept, and Clark pointed him to it. The place was then a mass of flame, and could not be entered. Mr. Clark still kept calling out about the lads. Indeed, his whole anxiety appeared to be centred upon them. Witness told him that if they were still in the bed-room it was impossible they could be alive. Having ascertained the names of the lads, he went round asking for them, but no one knew anything about them. On the arrival of the brigade steps were at once taken to get into the bedroom where the bodies were found. The body of the flame was not as witness expected to find it at the bake-house, but in the vicinity of the bed-room. From that circumstance he concluded that the fire had its origin there. From the condition in which the bodies were when they were found it was evident no struggle had taken place. They were both lying in a perfectly natural state on the stretchers.
Constable Mulholland who was on the ground shortly after the fire broke out gave corroberative evidence, after which Sergeant Titchener spoke to the identification of the lad Hart whom he knew. The other body was so much disfigured that it was quite impossible to recognise it as that of any particular individual. This concluded the evidence, after which the Jury brought in a verdict finding that the deceased lads met their death by suffocation, and that the fire originated accidentally.
THE FUNERAL.
was attended by about six hundred persons, the Oddfellows and Foresters numbering nearly seventy. As the cortege passed through Lawrence, flags, half-mast high, were displayed on the public buildings and principal business places. On reaching the cemetery the procession divided — the funeral service being read by the Rev. Father Larkin over the remains of Alfred Hart, and by the Rev. Mr. Menzies (Congregationalist) over those of George Herd. The scene was a most affecting one, and the burial ground was thronged with people, many of whom were greatly moved. Occurring, as the funeral did, during the weekly half-holiday, all the business places were closed, and the town otherwise presented a solemn appearance befitting the occasion. -Tuapeka Times, 2/10/1875.
HART AND HERD MEMORIAL SUBSCRIPTION LIST.
THE following is a list of names and amounts subscribed toward the above fund up to the present date. The lists bore the following heading: — "We the youthful comrades and school companions of the late George Herd and Alfred Hart solicit the generous aid of the ladies and gentlemen of this district to assist us in paying a last tribute of respect to the mortal remains of the late respected and now deeply deplored youths."
Collected by Henry Whitnall: — Henry Whitnall, 5s 6d; John Wilson, 5s; William Hay, 2s 6d; Richard Hay, 2s; Robert Orr, 2s 6d; T. Anderson, 2s 6d: John Southall, 2s 6d; Geo. B. King, 5s; Sam. Sutcliffe, 2s 6d; T. Robertson, 2s 6d; J. W. Middlemiss. 2s .6d; Thomas. Pilling, 2s 6d; Charles Miller, 2s 6d.
Collected by Thomas Whelan — Thomas Whelan, 10s; Patrick Cummins, 5s; Daniel Howard, 5s; Denis Roughan, 5s; John Fitzgerald, 5s; Stephan Whelan, 5s; Daniel Janes Kelly, 3s; Joseph Leary, 5s; Joseph Gibbs, 5s; John Patrick, 5s; John Pearson, 5s; Michael Lynch, 2s 6d; Edwin Elliot, 2s 6d; James Farrell, 5s; James Kelly, 2s 6d; Patrick Tracy, 2s 6d; L. McM., 2s 6d; a Friend, £1; J. Brosnan, 3s 6d; Patrick Cassidy, 2s 6d; a Friend, 1s; Thomas Gilmore 2s; Mrs. Day, 2s; a Friend, 2s 6d; — Loudon, 2s; Mrs Downie, 2s; R. W. Nichols, 2s 6d; J. Marshall, 2s 6d; John Waldie, 2s 6d; Mrs. Davidson. 2s 6d; M. Fahey, 2s; Mrs. Tanton, 3s: J. F. Rogers, 2s 6d; Mrs Evans, 5s; Jno, Drury, 2s 6d.
Collected by H. Mooney — W. Goldsmith, 5s; J. Galbraith, 5s ; a Friend, ss ; T. Johnston, ss ; J. Gascoigne, 5s ; J. Malone, 3s 6d; J. Kofoed, 5s ; J. Kilby, 2s 6d; J. Kendal, 2s 6d; J. Sawyers, 2s 6d; N. Mills, 2s 6d; — McIntosh, 2s 6d; D. McNeily, 2s 6d; — McEwen, 1s; G. Ralston, 2s 6d; a Friend, 1s 6; T. Fahey, 2s 6d; T. Milligan, 2s 6d; D. McCluskey, 2s 6d; S. Hunter, 2s 6d; P. Spiers, 2s 6d; J. Evans, 5s; W. Hay, 5s; J. Cranley, 5s; Mrs. Russell, 5s; Miss McSwiney, 5s. A. Donelly, 5s ; T. Hinde, 5s; C. Jardine, 5s; J. Drysdale, 5s; Ah Ming, 7s; G. Coxbn, 5s; H. Wenman, 5s; J. Stenhouse, 10s; M. Martin, 5s; S. Gare, 5s; Mrs. Rheuby, 4s; P. Garret, 5s; — Cowper, 5s; Mrs. McGoldrick, 5s.
Collected by James Harris — James Harris, 5s; Arch. McKinlay, 5s; J. M. Clark, 5s; F. Monaghan, 2s 6d; Denis Roughan, 2s 6d; Thomas Arthur, 2s 6d; J. Sly, 2s 6d; P. Duffy, 2s 6d; B. Ross, 2s 6d. -Tuapeka Times, 5/7/1876.
A meeting of the Cemetery Committee was held on Monday evening. The members present were — Messrs Fraer (Chairman), Harrop, Tolcher, Watson, McCoy, and Anderson. It was decided to accept Mr Watson's offer for improving and beautifying the grounds, thirty shillings being voted for the purpose. A letter was also read from Mr Vye in regard to the monuments that are to be erected over the graves of the youths Herd and Hart. A copy of the inscription was laid on the table, which was as follows: — "Erected by the youths of Tuapeka, as a tribute of love and respect, to the memory of George Herd, who lost his life by fire, in Lawrence, 30th September, 1875; aged 17 years." The inscriptions on both monuments are the same, with the exception of the name and age. -Tuapeka Times, 15/8/1877.
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