THE LATE FIRE IN HASTINGSSTREET.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 11, Issue 862, 30 July 1867, Page 2

THE LATE FIRE IN HASTINGSSTREET.

An inquiry into the cause of the fire which occurred on the morning of Monday the 22nd inst.-, was held at the Masonic Hotel, on Saturday last, at 3 p.m., before T. Hitchings, Esq., Coroner, and the following jury : — Messrs Robinspn, (Foreman) Browne, Irvine, Swan, Ford, Dinwiddie, M'Nalfcy, Luff, Go wing, Boy lan, Buchanan, Munday. The following evidence was adduced : —

James Hastie, sworn, deposed : — I was the occupier of the Albion Hotel on Sunday night last. I closed my house at the usual time believing everything to be safe. On the morning of Monday, about 2 o'clock, I was awoke by my brother on his hearing some noise, and again about 4 o'clock. I heard the alarm of tire. Upon going downstairs I met George Bichardson, coming from a cottage in the back premises, who told me Barry's place was on fire. I saw fire issuing from the room in which George Eichardson slept. The cottage contains four rooms, one of which was used as a store, in which was kept spirits and other stores. Both cottage and hotel belong to Messrs. Bobjohns. My goods were insured. I know of no one who could be benefited by this fire. I have never re: ceived any threat against me or my property. I have had no quarrel with "Mr. Colin Campbell, whose property adjoins mine. Eichardson was the only man I met about the premises at the time of the fire. George Bichardson was discharged by me from my employ for neglect of duty. I was not awareßichai'dson slept in the cottage that night) he not having asked my permission. The policy of insurance of my goods and furniture still remains in tho name of Mr. Colin Campbell, and was so at the time of the fire. I meant, when I said I saw the fire issuing from the room that Eichardson slept in, that it was from his bedroom. I saw the fire in the next room, which was perfectly empty, breaking through the partition which divides it from the bedroom. I cannot give the least opinion or offer any suggestion as to the origin of this fire. George Eichardson deposed : — I am a labourer, and reside in .Napier. I was lately in the employ of Mr. Hastio as stableman, and leit his service on Sunday morning last, by mutual consent. I occupied a room in the cottage adjoining the hotel, which I had occupied for seven weeks. I entered by the door, which was not locked. During the night I was awoke by smoke stifling me. I had had a glass or two but was sober. I went to bed in the dark, as there was neither candle nor lamp, and was not smoking. There were a few articles in tho room where the fire originated. I immediately jumped up and raised the alarm, but met no one. I tried to break open Hastio's back door, which was opened by the cook, who sleeps below. I am of opinion that tho front room was set fire to inside in tlic loft-hand corner by some one who must have gained access to it, but I have no reason to suspect any one. I have hot heard any one threaten to set fire to the place. 1 saw the debris of burnt hay in the place where I think the fire originated next morning. Tho jury returned an open verdict to tho effect that there was no evidence to show how the fire originated.

Maximilian is reported to hare issued an address to his countrymen in which he says of Napoleon, " He, to the ridicule of France, abandoned me infamously and cowardly by demand of the United States." Also, " When the news of my fate and death reaches, all the monarchs of Charlemagne's country will demand of the Napoleonic dynasty an account of my blood, and of the German, Belgian and French blood shed in Mexico; then will Napoleon the Third be covered with shame from head to foot." No disposition had been made of Maximilian on the 26th.