THE AUCKLAND GRAND HOTEL FIRE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2467, 26 June 1901, Page 11

THE AUCKLAND GRAND HOTEL FIRE.

STATEMENTS REGARDING INCENDIARISM.

AUCKLAND. June 18.

Sensational evidence was given at the in<. quest on the Grand Hotel fire to-day. Mr Johnston, licensee, said it was Ins opinion that the fire started in the dining room, and that it was -wilfully caused. Sub-inspector Mitchell said that was a very grave statement to make, as it amounted to charging someone vrith murder. Mr Johnston said ■that the servants, who slept directly under the dining room, were awakened by glass falling from the windows above them. They left their bedrooms to see where the fire was, and then returned to secure their effects. In the meantime the ceiling above them fell. This and what he saw himself influenced him in h:.s belief that the fire» started in the dining room, and not in the kitchen. His reason for thinking that the fire was wilfully caused was that the 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 100 m into the passage opposite had been missing since the Tuesday before the fire. A light usually kept burning m the pantry was unaccountably extinguished at midnight on the clay before the fire. Mr Johnston, on being pressed, said he had another reason, but if he mentioned it he might be <-ued for slander. The coroner said that what witness stated would be privileged. T-he witness then retired to consult his solicitor, and on Ins leturn said he had decided not to say anything hnther on the point.

Mr Johnston, further pressed, ?aid he refeired to the action for slander brought by his wile against .in employee in March la«t, ■u liielT-was adjourned, and then discontinued since the fire Ihe coroner so id there -was nothing in thK The ;hief cook (Madame Arnters) stated that on the night of the fire she heard scuffling and quai veiling in the dining room and a m,->n."s voice calling out. " Where are you? Where are the keys,?" On going out to investigate she saw strange men m the passage, who had their faces from her.

Jones, the night portei', nas the only other witness called. Ho denied the jiresence of strangers on the premises, and stated that he had heard no iioi=e as of men quarrelling, as alleged by Madame Ai uters.

The inquhy iv; then Adjourned till til© 27th iiist.

Oh ! what would Tommy Atkins do If we had not pulled him through; The colonies have dene tlich best. And showed groat courage in the tebt We all requiie a little aid, And danger make* us oft afraid ; A cough won't make jour health secure. So buy some Woods' Gkeat PErp^KiiiNl-

There are 14- knights in the Federal Parliament, also 24- lawyers, 10 miners, 7 pastoralists, 6 land and estate agents, 5 journalists, 3 farmers, 2 hatters, 1 engine-fitter, 1 gardener, 1 labourer, 1 bookseller, 1 comp dsitor. 1 carpenter, 1 doctor, 2 auctioneers, and 1 elerjsjinan.

An instance of the increasing value of land 'in the vicinity of Palmerston North was given, recently in a. sale of two farms at Kelvin Grove. The prices paid were £27 and £4-7 per acre respectively. A quarteracre section offered last week for a public