HEROISM OF A MOTHER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2439, 2 March 1909, Page 6

HEROISM OF A MOTHER.

BRAVE WOMAN COMPLIMENTED. The Newcastle (England), coroner and a. jury expressed their high appreciation of the courage displayed by tlie' mother of a child on whom an inquest was being held. The child, William Barnes,- five years'old, had been playing Avith two younger children in tlie. attic of a tenement house, while Mrs Barnes was occupied downstairs.- The boy had found tAvo matches, and striking them, said he Avould burn the tail of a kitten with which they were playing. The kitten eluded the boy,, and he accidentally set fire to the bed. He tried to extinguish the flames Avith his coat, but failed, and tlie room rapidly filled with smoke. The children a screams brought Mrs Barnes, upstairs After tAvo attempts she succeeded in removing the two younger children to safety, but failed to find the eldest child. She Avas driven back by( the smoke, aud she called on passers-by for assistance. A number of persons attempted to enter the room, but they, too, Avere compelled to retire. Efforts at rescue AA'ere also made by policemen.

A fireman entered the attic and found the child dead in a cradle. A verdict of “Death from burns accidentally received” was returned, and Mrs Barnes and a fireman named KaA'anagh AA r ere highly praised for their courage.