THE KARANGAHAKE FIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 65, 16 March 1916, Page 9

THE KARANGAHAKE FIRE.

IDLE TALES REFUTED. (By Telegraph._ Own Correspondent.) WAIHI, this day. The inquest in connection -with the fatal fire at Kafangahake on February 20 last, whereby Mrs. Janet Dawson lost her life, was concluded at Karangahake yesterday afternoon. Mrs. Mounsey, proprietress of the Tramway Boardinghouse, gave evidence that she was returning from a trip to Australia when the fire occurred.. Deceased (her mother) was in charge, during her absence. Witness said that she purchased the furniture and business from the previous owners for £150. She removed her furniture and effects, from Waihi, and also renewed bedding and linen. She insured the furniture and effects for £300 in the National office. The policy had been in existence some two years. Included in the risk was a seventy-guinea piano. She valued effects destroyed at over £449. Deceased had a quantity of valuable jewellery not covered by insurance. Witness had also handed her some of her own jewellery prior to leaving for Australia. Her mother kept the jewellery in a tin hatbox. This had been found in the debris after the fire, but there ,wj,s no trace whatever of jewellery. Witness admitted that her business bad gone back during the last six months, and since December 5 last she had had the building rent free. In reply to the Coroner, witness said the agent for the insurance company had made a thorough inspection before the risk was accepted, and seemed, satisfied that no alteration had been made to the risk since that date. The Coroner (Mr. W. M. Wallnutt),in | summing up. referred to idle tales in ; circulation, and said that the evidence ! showed no suspicious circumstances j whatever. The house was well furnished, and the furniture was in good condition. He commended the action of Mr. Griffin in showing great presence of mind at the height of the fire in giving the alarm, and to Slevin, who was sleeping on the same floor, for making an effort to Teach Mrs. Dawson's roomBoth Griffin and Slevin were badly burnt in making their escape. The Coroner alstj referred to exhaustice inquiries made by the police in regard to the general circum»tanees of the fire, and in following up certain statements made to them. The evidence showed that the origin of the fire was a mystery. He returned the following verdict:—'That deceased was accidentally burnt to death in a fire which destroyed the Tramway Boardinghouse. at fcarangahake, on Sunday February 20, and that there U no evidence to show how the fire occurred."