THE GRAND HOTEL FIRE.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 136, 19 June 1901, Page 3

THE GRAND HOTEL FIRE.

SENSATIONAL STATEMENTS,

EQUAL TO A CHARGE OF MURDER,

[By Telegraph—Press Association.]

. Auckland, last night. ' Sensational evidence was given at the inquest on the Grand Hotel fire to-day. Mr Johnston, licensee, said it was his opinion 'that the fire started in the dining-room, and that it was wilfully caused. „ Sub-Inspector Mitchell said: That is a very grave statement. It amounts o charging some one with murder. Mr Johnston said servants who slep directly under the dining-room were awakened by glass falling from the windows above them. They left the bedr to see where the fire was, and rctuine their rooms to secure their effects. In e meantime the ceiling above them • This, and what he saw himself, iniluencea his belief that tho fire started in the dinin room, and not in the kitchen. His reason for thinking that the fire was wilfully caused was that French windows leading from the balcony into the dining-room had not been locked that night, and the keys of the door leading from the dining-room into the passage opposite and tho pantry had been missing since the Tuesday before the fire. A light kept burning in the pantry was unaccountably extinguished on the "midnight before the fire. Mr Johnston, pressed, said .lie had another reason, but he might be sued for slander. The Coroner said what witness stated would bo privileged. Witness retired to consult with his solicitor, and decided to | say nothing further on the point.

FURTHER PARTICULARS. INQUEST ADJOURNED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Auckland, last night. The Coroner’s inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the recent fire at the Grand Hotel was continued to-day, when some startling evidence was adduced. The licensee, Alex. Johnston, being recalled, alleged incendiarism, and pointed out that certain keys were found to be missing before the night of the fire, while on tho night of tho outbreak cortain windows were found open. CHIEF COOK’S STATEMENT. The chief cook, Madame Wautcrs, stated that on tho night of tho firo she heard scuttling and quarrelling in the dining-room, and a man’s voice calling out “ Where are tho keys ? where are tho keys ? ” On going out to investigate she saw strange men in the passage, who had their faces turned from her. NIGHT PORTER’S EVIDENCE.

Tho night porter, Jones, was tho only other witness called. He denied the presence of strangers on tho premises, and stated he had heard no noise as of men quarrelling, as alleged by Madame Wautcrs.

The enquiry was then adjourned till tho !7th iust.