THE RECENT FIRES IN INVERCARGILL.

New Zealand Herald, Issue XXI, 15 May 1884, Page 5

THE RECENT FIRES IN INVERCARGILL.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOOL/ITION.] Invjsroargill, Wednesday. Air inquiry was held to-day into the fire which destroyed the Theatre Royal, Provincial Hotel, and other buildings three weeks ago. Evidence was taken at considerable length, and the jury aftor deliberation returned a verdict, " That the theatre was wilfully and feloniously set on fire by some persons unknown." A suspicion has existed that a man named Luke O'Brien, who had been prowling about the town for Bomo weeks in a vagrant fashion, might be implicated in the several fires that have occurred. He was convioted o£ the theft of liquor from the hotel while it was on tire, and was again found guilty to-day of stealing the kit in which he had placed the liquor, und also of stealing photos in an album at the Supreme Court Hotel. He was seen by several parties at and before the time of tho fire in its vicinity, and was the first to ring the bell. He was brought up at the inquest and identified. His statements were at variance with those of the other witnesses, but the man is said to be weak in mind. The Coroner, therefore, said that his statements one way or the other were not to be relied on. Largo portions of the walls of the building in Dee-street burnt on Saturday and Sunday were pulleii down to-day, being unsafe. The fire insurance agents meet the Borough Council to-morrow night re the recent fire and fire extinguishing. ■ ■