Charles John (1914-17/2/1925) and Arthur Charles (1907-12/5/1926) Curtis.

TRAPPED IN WHARE

TWO LADS BADLY BURNED

[Per United Press Association.] MURCHISON, February 17. A fire mishap attended with fatal results occurred at Newton Flat at 3 this morning. A whare occupied by two lads — Charles and Arthur Curtis, aged twelve and eighteen respectively — caught fire. The lads got out badly burned, and were conveyed to the Murchison Hospital by motor, and attended to immediately by Dr Page. The younger, who received the worst burns, died after admission to the institution. The condition of the elder lad is serious, but hopes are entertained for his recovery. The occurrence cast a gloom over the district.  -Evening Star, 17/2/1925.

HEROIC BROTHER.

AN UNAVAILING RESCUE.

INQUEST ON VICTIM.

(By Telegraph. — Own Correspondent.)

MURCHISON, this day.

At the adjourned inquest touching the death of Charles Curtis, the victim of the Newton Flat fire, the jury found that deceased's death was due to shock following severe burns, as a result of the whare in which he was sleeping accidentally taking fire, presumably through a candle being left burning. No blame was attachable to anyone.

The jury placed on record their warm commendation of the heroic action of the elder brother Arthur in entering the burning whare and rescuing his brother.  -Auckland Star, 7/3/1925.

DROWNING FATALITY

SAD ELECTION DAY INCIDENT

AT NEWTON FLAT

(By Telegraph—Special to The Mail.)

MURCHISON. This Day

While Mr Curtis and his son Arthur of Newton Flat were riding on horsehack to the polling booth at Sullivan's Bridge yesterday they found that the Newton creek was in high flood, the water being over the hand rails. In attempting to cross Mr Curtis found it was too much for the horse so he managed to swim ashore, his horse struggling after him. On looking round, however, there was no sign of his son Arthur or the horse. There is no doubt that both the horse and rider were swept down, for the flood was the biggest for years. General sympathy is felt for the Curtis family for it is just twelve months since they lost a son in a fire, Arthur being very severely burnt at the time in trying to save his brother. The body was recovered early this morning when the Buller subsided.  -Nelson Evening Mail, 13/5/1926.

Murchison Cemetery.