THE AUCKLAND SENSATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 145, 1 July 1901, Page 2

THE AUCKLAND SENSATION.

WEIRD STORY BY THE PANTRY MAID.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, last-plight. At the inquest on the victims of the Grand Hotel lire, evidence of a sensational character was given by Jessie Minns, pantryman!. She said that on the night before the lire she saw three strange men about the premises. Later on she sa.v a man in the pantry fixing powder to a j range. lie had powder and fuse. The fuse was fixed down, while from a gas jet a man was fixing fuse in tho gas stove. He caught Hold of witness and threatened to shoot her if she moved or screamed. She saw two other men- at the pantry door. When the night porter went by they threatened to put a knife into her if she spoke. They subsequently, after asking where Johnston, the licensee, slept; went upstairs, taking the fuse and powder with them. One of them said he would have revenge on the conceited lady and bully (Johnston). Witness was too frightened to toll any one. She again saw the men on the night of the fire, and heard confused noises like someone pulling things along the floor. On the night bel'oro tho tiro one of the men said, “ What you have seen to-night, and heard, you are not to tell anyone; if you do you will be killed.” One of them also remarked, “ Tilings will be blown sky high to-morrow night.” |On the night of the fire one of them said.

We will got away in a boat," and another added, “If we can." She did not tell the police or anyone else, because she feared the men would take ltor life.

The inquest was adjourned.

In her evidence Jessie Minn said that on Thursday night she went to sleep in a warm bath, and was awakened by some men making a noise in a passage. She recognised the voices of the men she saw the provious night. One said, “ She Ims the keys, and won’t give them up.” She understood they referred to Camille, the second cook. Witness ran into Madam’s room.