THE ORIENTAL HOTEL FIRE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2490, 4 December 1901, Page 48

THE ORIENTAL HOTEL FIRE.

THE INQUEST.

WELLINGTON", November 26

An inquest tyas opened to-day concerning the death of William Isaac Crawford, who met his death through injuries received by the burning of the Oriental Hotel on Monday morniog. The medical evidence showed that deceased was terribly burned about the head, arms, and body, and also on the tongue and throat. Crawford occupied a room on the second floor, and was aroused by the night porter, a negro, who appears to have acted with great bravery and presence of mind throughout. How Crawford reached the street is not yet clear, but he was found wandering about c« the railway station in great agony. He told the hospital surgeon that he had been drinking the previous night. Death was due to shock. The evidence was not concluded. The inquiry was adjourned until Monday. Deceased was a married man, and cam© down from Masterton on Wednesday. He had been living in the Wellington district for the last two or three years. He was a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, and the only surviving son of the late Robert Crawford, of County Sligo. He was mostly engaged during his colonial career in scholastic and literary work. At one time he was master at Newington College, Sydney, and later at Armidale Grammar School. Thence he went to Queensland, and was engaged in teaching work at Bundaberg. During the whole of this time Crawford was a constant contributor to many Australian papers. For some time past he has resided at Masterton, where he was engaged in coaching. He leaves a widow, who is a well-known miniature painter, and two infant children.