THE LATE FIRE IN CASHEL STREET.

Press, Volume XVI, Issue 2159, 19 March 1870, Page 2

THE LATE FIRE IN CASHEL STREET.

cobonbb's inquest. An inquiry into the origin of the late fire at the London restaurant in Gashel street took placo on March llth, at two o'clock at the White Hart Hotel, before Dr Coward, coroner. Mr Harper, of Hanmer and Harper, appeared to watch the proceedings on behalf of the agents of the various Insurance Companies in Chrietchurch. The following gentlemen were sworn on the jury—-Messrs J Ollivier (foreman), J GBuddenklau, 0 Kiver, B Kiohardson, W E, Mitchell, J W Oram, A Ayere, M B Hart, H E Alport, B. Sutherland, J Stace, J Booth, and J Bowley. Margaret Patereon, examined by Mr Harper—l was the proprietor of the London restaurant in Cashel street. On Wednesday night I went to bed at 11.80. I did not inspect the premises before I went to bed. There was a fire burning in the cafe and also in the kitchen. I left Miss Williams to attend to them. I was awakened by a terrible noise of hammering, and I leaped out of bed, and when I did so the place was lit up and a man standing in the door. I was almost suffocated, and ran into the yard. When Miss Williams called to mc she threw mc a bundle which I caught, and ran into the street. I had only my nightgown on at the time. I saw a policeman, and asked him where I could go to put some clothes on. He said you can go afterwards. I saw young Mr Brad well, who took mc into his father's house. That is all I know. Miss Williams came home about 11 30 p m. I left her and went to bed. I cannot say for certain what time she went to bed. Miss Williams was in bed with mc when I was alarmed that night; she was in her night dress at the time; she stopped behind mc, and I eaid, "Come, come, why stop and be burned?" She stopped behind mc to put some clothes on. I think Mr Nixon came back with Miss Williams. I consider the fixtures and property in the house, including stock, to be worth £1000. I have no means of showing what the stock consisted of, as my books have been burned. My stock consisted of wines, groceries, confectionery, and meat. I have been in the habit of purchasing from Walton, Warner and Co, but have not bought there extensively lately; I have bought also from Mr Sawtell, and at auction, and from other places. I can form no idea of my stock of wines without my books. I look upon the value of the personal property at my husband's death at about £400. I took a parcel containing a policy to the Bank of Australasia about a month ago. I cannot cay what I insured the stock for. I made no inventory of my stock; it was insured for £500 in the Eoyal, and £250 in the Australian and Alliance. The £1000 value included stock, fixtures, furniture, and goodwill. I value the stock, furniture, and fixtures at £1000; all my personal effects were included in that. At the time of the fire there was £160 in cash in the house in a drawer in one of the front bedrooms. I cannot cay when I laid in the last stock of goods. Miss Williams kept no stock book; she might know what stock there was in the house; she sometimes handed over the takings to mc, and sometimes I took them from the till. I could not give any idea as to the average takings of my business. I cannot tell how long it took to accumulate the £160. That money was all takings of the business. I cannot say how long it had been in the drawer, for it used to lay loose; that money consisted of notes and gold and silver, and was in a drab leather pocket book in a drawer. By the Jury—Miss Williams had access to that drawer. I took the policy to the Bank I think this week. I paid a few pounds into the Bank on that day. I was in the habit of lodging my securities. By the Foreman—l slept at the back of the house, on the gronnd floor. I did not see any fire when I was aroused that morning, but I saw a great light. I waa suffocated with emake, and I believed the house was on fire. Miss Williams was in the habit of sleeping with mc. I could not tell how long we had slept in that room before the fire took place. Before we went to Sumner I slept in a little back double-bedded room. When Miss Williams came into the room thai night ehe said " Dear mc, is that you here j" she did not mean any surprise at finding mc there. The £160 was placed in a drawer in an unoccupied room; there was no lock on the < door of that room; I kept no check on what ; my takings were. ■ By the Jury—l was not in the habit of collating my takings every night. I By the Foreman—l have made no com- i plaint to my landlord as to being over-rented I Mr Vigera, of the Court, was in the house that 1 night up to about five minutes to eleven '.

o'olook. No one came in tho house after except Mr Nixon. There was a fire burning in the cafe when I went to bed. By the Jury — There was nothing in the parcel I left at the Bank except the policy. I was out from home to go to the Bank either this week or last week. I went to the "Times" office that day to advertise for two servants. The teller took the parcel from mo at the Bank. I estimated the goodwill of ray busiuess at £300. My business afforded mc a fair living, and I was always able to pay my way. I cannot recollect what amount of gold and silver was contained in the £160. I had at that time a balance at the Bank in my favor. By the Jury—l wont to pay the money into the Bank, and made out a slip for that purpose, but I cannot recollect the contents of that clip. I put it into my little dressingcase. I have no idea of the origin of the fire. No portion of the £160 consisted of cheques. Emily Jane Williams, examined by Mr Harper, deposed—l have lived wifh the last witness for nearly two years ; I recollect the night when the fire occurred ; I was at the theatre that night; it was about a quarter past eleven when I returned home ; I found Mrs Paterson there, who oame to let mc in ; Mr George Nixon was with mc when I came in ; Mrs Pateraou retired to her room in three or four minutes, and I remained in the cafe beyond the stairs; there was a piano in the cafe ; the fireplace faced you from the soat; that room was lighted with gas, which I lit when I returned that evening; thero was a little fire there when I came in ; I remained in the cafe about half an hour after Mrs Paterson left; Mr Nixon stopped about ten minutes and I then left him out and bolted the door. I went to bed about a quarter to twelve. I turned the gas off, but not at the meter. I went over the house before I went to bed, the fires then appeared to be out. I slept in the same bed with Mrs Paterson. I undressed when I went to' bed. I was disturbed by a smashing of glass; the room was full of smoke, and I threw my clothes into the yard and went out into the yard, where I met a dark policeman; I put my cloak and ekirt on in the passage, and went to Mrs Bradwell. Mrs Patereon was in the street when I went out. I have taken charge of Mrs Paterson'e business during the past twelve months. I can give no idea of the quantity of Btock; I know there were six or eight chests of tea, but.l r do not know what quantity of wine or other articles were there. Ido not know what was the value of the glase and china. I have no idea of the value of the takings daily. I used to pay the money over to Mrs Paterson. I know there •was money in the house at the time o£ the fire, but do not know how much. The money was kept in a very large pocket-book, one that you would keep papers in. No one slept upstairs on the night of the fire. I went up there that night before I went to bed. By the Foreman—l am not in partnership with Mre Patereon. I have not any interest in the business. Only our two selves had been in the house for three or four days before the day of the fire. Mr Vigere stopped in the house when Mrs Patereon was away at Sumner, and I had charge of the business. During the ten days Mrs Paterson was at Sumner the takings were £25, or £2 10s a day. I gave that money to Mrs Paterson ; £2 10s a day was rather less than the ordinary takings. I am generally in the business from seven o'clock in the morning to eleven at night. When I went to bed all I said to Mrs Pater- ; son was an expression of surprise to [ find her in bed. I might have said " Dear ime is this where you are ?" I can't say where the smoko came from, but there was a reflection of light which appeared to come from Mr Pratt'e. There is a party wall between Mr Pratt'e and us. I never saw the policy of insurance. I do not remember advising Mrs Paterson respecting it. No one slept,in the house except myself and Mrs Patorson. No person was in the house after 11.30 on that night. By the Jury—l do not remember the color of the pocket-book, although I have opened it several times. I think it was a light color. Did not recommend her to take the policy to the Bank. I looked at the Bank slip and saw that £160 was on it. There was very little brandy in the house; there might have been a bottle or a half a bottle. I do not know what wine there was; there were six chests of tea. Mr Harper said he was not prepared to offer any further evidence on that day, and he had therefore to request an adjournment. He asked the Coronor to request that tho evidence might not be published until the conclusion of the inquest. The inquest was thereupon adjourned to the following Friday, at 2 p.m. The adjourned inquest took place yesterday afternoon at two o'clock at the White Hart Hotel. Mr Harper appeared on behalf of the various Insurance Companies interested, the representatives of which were also present. Mr Joynt attended to watch the proceedings on behalf of Mrs Paterson. The jury having answered J;o their names, Mr Cowlishaw said before the coroner proceeded to the business, he wished to draw his attention to irrelevant evidence which had been given at the laet enquiry. He referred to that portion of the evidence in which the names of several young men were mentioned. He did not see that the publication of this portion of the evidence would do any good. The Coroner said he supposed the editors of the journals would exercise a discretion. Mc Harper applied that the evidence taken at the laet sitting be read over, and that all witnesses be requested to withdraw. Both requests were granted. Mr Harper produced a plan of the building, which had been prepared by Mr Cuff, the City Surveyor. The following evidence was taken : — George Gould sworn, deposed—l knew the premises occupied by Mrs Paterson. I am igent for the landlord. Mrs Peterson's lease sxpired on the 18th September last; I gave aer notice to leave on that date. Mr Joynt objected to this evidence—the production of the lease would be the best nformation. Kesumed—On that date Mrs Patereon did lot wish to leave; on handing the lease to »y legal adviser I found that there was a :lause which enabled her to hold the lease for ;wo years. In consequence of Mrs Peterson's iotuplaint the rent was reduced from £150 to 8100 per year. The building was insured by ne in the Pacifto office, for £500 Police Sergeant Pratt sworn, deposed—l am Sergeant of Police in Chrietchurch. About wenty minute* past three on the morning of he 10th, I jsaw a heavy emoke above the lou&es in Caehel street. I was on duty at the Bank of New Zealand. I immediately gave

the alarm. On arriving U fc « 1A • "*"--* Caehel and Colombo street, I ,VT Chon of in Mrs Peterson's London BpstunJ \ fire **i street. I then burst in iho d^T , on the plan, fronting on Cnshel etnS f •* whs no firo in the diningroom T i ih *f« (ho other door, and saw fi rvJ \ n tl n h«m the staircase about eoren feet from tflJ"^ 9 cf I then went along the na***™* , B f ourii] the cafe where I *«„ room. On the top of the piano I 2 J tfc * papers on firo. I knocked off the «! lot was unable to extinguish them. Tl > connection between tho two fires partition between them which rnnJi? rew!l4s length of the room. The W J| piano was just oatching \ V ] )on j ?e tho cafe ; there wae no cover m )On »v! . ,nt * the fire ou the wall proceeded from th p,an ° J or the piano; there was not muoh iwJ* ,^, tho piano, but I did not succeed in , ? ° n out; I then returned from the cafe BIS into the dining room by She on the plan; there was no firo or emot • thedmmg room when I went in- & v , m in the lean-to was open 5 there wm n 1.! firo in tho lean-to; there was no ««3| nfV f in there ; there was a double bed no J Si! fireplace; it had no appearace of b-ij.il ° in ; I searched tho room, but could n?M< P anything; tho bed was smooth, but dM appear to have been slept in; the nuii turned back slightly ; there was 5 disorder about tho bed or room • there no clothes about the room • ItheiTtridS door marked Don the plan, but tjs locked, and could not burst it open* x di 1 see the door marked ¥ at tho b»ok of ?* bedroom, but I do not think it was onen '1 then came out by door C, and -came in Caehel street along to Colombo a t» e et ,Li entered the right of way. I Bm jj; rg p * v son and Mies Williams in tho right of«." about the epot marked I. I think it took i\ about half a minute to get from the bedroon to this passage whoro I mot Mra Patereon uri Miss Williams. lam quite certain that IJ Mrs Patersonand Mies Williams on tho 5J indicated by mc on tho plan. Mrs Patewn had more than her night dras3 on. She !H a bundle of clothes on her arm. I did no , ' remark whether she had her boots on. Mijj Williams was fully dressed, and had her hat and chignon on. She was quite collected. I did not hear her give any alarm. It would not have been possiblo for them to h aTe dressed themsplves during the time I MJ going from the bedroom to the f>mm They could not have had time to have done w from the timo I fimt entered the building until I met thorn in tha passage, After I met them I got in at the back'by the cafe window, which I opened. On getlio? into the house I found that tho wall'over tha piano had caught thoroughly," and the .fire was catching the ceiling. I saw Mr Bradwell, juu, in the bedroom. He said he was searching for jewellery. I assisted-—-— Mr Joynt objected to thia evidence being taken. Reßumed —We did not find anything. There was no smoke or fire in the bedroom, I 1 heard eoreame when I was bursting the door marked B on the plan ; they appeared to come from upstairs. I heard no screams from where tho bedroom was. It was no! possible for any person in tho doorway into the bedroom to see mc coming in at tha front door. The door marked J was opened by mc and Mr Brad well, jun, after I leftMn Paterson and Mies Williams in the otivef. There was no one about when I arrived at the fire. I did not notiioe any gas burning or fires alight in the grates when I wonfc in. By the Jury—Tho window that I spoke of was a window that lifted vp } it whj easy for any one to get in. When I met Mi» Williams and Mrs Patereon, I asked them if there was any person in tho house, and they answered in the negative. I did not notice any workbox or dressing-case on the drawing* table in the lean-to. I have no doubt whatever that what I saw in the etaircaw was fi». There was no communication between Use t*o fires. Mrs Patereon and Miso Williams lid time to get out into the passage, through ibo window when I first burst in tha door. Ido not think it possible, from the firo on tjio staircase, that any person sleeping upstasri could have decended those staira; ■ there wm too much fire. The leanto was the only room in which I saw any bedding. 1 did act attempt to move the piano. . The foreman aeked that Mrs Paterson X* Miss William's should bo called to esy, nw the jury have the plan before them, what woo they slept in. r Mr Joynt objected to Mrs Patewon ® m Williams being further examined. The jury, however, did not press thereqoest By the Jury—l found no inconvenient from emote in the dining room j Io« 6U » that I aawMre Patersonand JtfwiWUMO' together in the right-of-way; I m certain that the sound of the ecreami I »«rci from upstairs • they could not have come iron Mr Sandstein's upper rooms; there www perceptible smell of kerosene or ogc«pW in the building when I burst tho doo*°P*-1 when I saw Miss Williams she wai dreM and had no clothes in her hands. A. Thomas W. Bradwell, jun, Ibwow,j# posed-I reside in Colombo street nc« w» uene of the late fire j I heard a now » «j street about half-past three 0 clock wmorning of the 10th ; I went down into U» street and along Colombo street,** tw« trance of the right of 'way between M^" and Mr PeuoA, and met Mra *£»?£ Miss Williams; they were together, Paterson was in her night dress, «F to be putting on her skirt X *!„., Miss Williams was in her.orfintfj " Vj they appeared to be in a [ took them into my house; Patereon if there was anything lorn for her, and ehe replied "mM**^ ewellery and valuables in a \ ed '^^ h ,1 jack; she eaid nothing *ent at the Oashel street entr^cM^ nto the dining room, and iab> a pwj» fle ;he leanto, and from the canto on the left band side l (ho vas open, as also'the .edroom. There wae no p" oom. The fire «H?P« W * A?-. t£je«* Jergeanfc Pratt and I searched for w j ary, but were unable to &nd any. ■• oom did not appear to bo in » d t fate. From the eppwranee «*« hould judge that °n 0 Ja« - gassß >n the top of the bed instead of toe afte/the fire M»ft«»J»«J diae soney that she had lost in & c ..™ B ' mv fire ia By the Jury-I did not ™^ t X *» & " he staircase. The fire ■w» ea l Se D J I » t* entre of the wall of the cafe. isuing from the wall near the wmd°w j t \. I did not go into the cafe } * «ug | do ito the leanto by the door ot know whether there a a »»« t & f o j, Ire Peterson's pretoisee from to*

-"T, ot jjgar any alarm from the womet 1 • mmr meeting them. I am quite con p ? Of f that Miss Williams had an armful o i thL for Mrs Paterson when ehe came up t< clotnes notice whether ehe picked h , ef l, nn from the right of way. A sm£m Harris, Superintendent of the Fir< «S examined by Mr Harper-On th, nff'of the 10th when I heard eomo on< &°™ 1 "Fire," I saw from my back window w it was the restaurant. I put on roj tiers and went down etaira, and opening t *\&ti door I saw Mrs Patereon coming up 2* right of way into Colombo street with Miss Kwne Mowing her. Mrs Paterson had a an | Misß Williams was fully SJLed he J were moanin g' but gi^g alarm. I went down the right ©1 T into the yard and looked through the Sow of the cafe, which was open, and I # the fire raging near the bar and 4 the piano «as about half destroyed. The piano waa arlr midway between the bar, and the other a of the room. I then went into Cashel SUfc and entered the door marked A in the tai prodneed. The wall from the bar to the ano was all on fire, when I firat saw it. f s &fcen I went into the house I tried to go forward 5 bot not proceed because of a large body of fire at the staircase. I came back to *!e yard. It seemed to mc that the fires were not connected. When I looked through the window first, the partition between the old bar and the cafe was certainly not burning. I believe there were two fires burning when I fo»t looked through the window. By tbe Foreman—When I first saw Mrs Vgtinon, and on observing the fire, I do not ihiok there was sufficient time for Miss Willie to have dressed herself as fully as jjjgs Williams was dressed when I saw her. 3y the Jury—Aβ it appears on the plan, Ibere is a doubt on my mind whether the fire might not have gone through the partition as I was going round to Cashel street. By tbe Foreman—l made a plan of the building since the fire, which I now produce. fhe witness said that according to that plan he was of opinion that there were two fires burning in the house at the same time. On the occasion of a previous fire he went into til the bedrooms. There was a smell of some spirit burning in the shop. I could not say that it was kerosene. Albert T. Bradweli examined by Mr Harper •=1 do not remember my son bringing Mrs Peterson and Miss Williams into my house on the morning of the fire.

By the Coroner —On the morning of tlie fire Mrs Patereon said in my presence that lbs bad lost a gold watch. Ido not think lbs said where she had left it. Mies Williame laid that she had also lost a watch. Mrs Peterson paid that she had lost a large sum of money; I believe £160 odd. She said that the watch ehe had lost belonged to her late husband. I believe she said that she had left the vetch on the dressing table, and the money in the desk. By the Foreman—l did not hear her ask By *eon to go for the property — the only rational question I heard her ask was*' where is the fire?" I Baid "in your house." She aid "I hope people will not say it was a wicked act of mine." She was in a state of j great terror at the time—it was not simulated terror. <

Thomas Braes examined by Mr Harper— I reside in Hereford street. On the. morning of the 10th instant I was awoke about twenty minutes after three by an alarm. I got up and went to the scene of the fire, and on the

road was told that it was Mra Peterson's

. When I got to my place of business it was *on fire, I had over £5000 worth of stock on my premises. I saw Mrs Peterson about eleren o'clock on the • morning after the fire. On the following day I saw her in the Union Bank; she came up to mc and asked mc to lend her some money to employ a solicitor to defend her at the inquest; I said I had none to lend ; the offered mc a gold watch and chain, and a ?oW eye-glass as security for the money. She then stated that she had another gold watch and chain at Petersen's to repair. I said I would ask Petersen if he could advance the money on the watch. I did ask him, and he aid he could not do so. From Petersen's I saw Mrg Patereon go towards the Bank of Auitralasia. T crossed over and told her that Petersen declined to do it. The watch was » gentleman's gold watch. Petersen told Oβ that it had been purchased there j fie did not say by whom. By the Jury—l suppose Mrs Paterson aked mc as a friend to advance her the Herman (John, examined by Mr Harper— 1«n c partner in the firm of Petersen *™I Go,. I remember Mr Brass asking mc "I would purchase a gold watch I got "«b Mrs Paterson. Brass also showed mc aothep watch which Mrs Peterson pur<**m of mc five or six months ago. One of we watches, viz, the one she left with mc Jaonged to her late husband. Mr Paterson the watch to mc for repair, and said •twsslijg. I have that watch now. «Jeaa P. Thompson, clerk at Miles and of the Royal Insurance Company, *posed—l know that a policy was issued to JJ» Paterson for £500, viz, £425 for house■g* furniture and effects, £25 for piano, and **» o?er stock in trade. That policy will y? on 39th April next. I was over the ■game after the fire in December, snd I *» m consider there was vakie there. I did to TCnew the policy. I have not «pael S. Koall-I am clerk to the Agent J«« Australian Alliance Company. Mrs meQred ia our office in October last 177, oi > fixtures, stock in trade, and furniture, on preowely the same the Boyal polioy, and for half the 'J**» Sandstein examined by Mr Harper 1 n «* door to Mrs Paterson. When Hi* '*? c on the morning of the 10th I '&ta«i«k °° min g from th © direction of Mrs htku PJ!? raie ee. I saw a watch since the &J*ja* Petersen's which belonged to Mrs late husbaud. 7 s °nmshaw, examined by Mr Harper j£««» cabinetmaker and was employed by %e»M °to do come repairs to her house. MuZf r P** d »«• I have applied to her for Etft,. J co on 25th February. I saw WJ o , wb .° took m J account to Mrs Q^fQ v She eaid ehe could not settle it «•* asked for £1 on account. I s « rsonea y that she had not got !*m^? ODaßOn ' examined by Mr Harper— a ? Dtat fche Bank of Australasia. ■&bESr*L Mre Paterson brought a sealed Im™ v? Bank and left ifc f <> r eafo keeping. ?° W What itfl con te nt e w « r ® then - ** »kt i c lfe awftv since. She did not tell %IhVi- eooatentßweretoy aoae! 11 ? - " Mrs Paterson did not pay in ™ * fa en ehe brought the parcel.

OHmer, delivered the following verdict :- etSnn fl 6 Which mCaahel °r nm ß of the lOth March, do fnl?v^? J r U? illiame did feloniously, wilfully and malaaouely set fire to a certain house m the occupation of the said Margaret PaterT £** &nd ther « to defraud ™i £ I ? 8u^ c Companies called (he Royal and the Australian Alliance Companies." Margaret Patereon and Emily Jane Williams were thereupon committed for trial on the Coroner's warrant.