TLEGRAMS.

Colonist, Volume XXXIV, Issue 7049, 27 June 1891, Page 4

TLEGRAMS.

[PerUnited Press Association]

WELLINGTON,

i . , Jnne 26. \ - The inquest as to the circumstances attending the fire at the Island Bay Hotel was began' this morning Charles Snow, an officer of the Salvation Army, 'deposed to assisting to extinguish the .fire, whioh he and others discoveredih Various rooms of which the doors were locked. ;. Hansen (landlord) he said, appeared 1 quite unconcerned, and was smoking his pips. Hansen swore at the witness, and struck him several times. He also threatened to punoh witness's head if he did not clear out. Witness accordingly got out of hie way, and called for assistance to extinguish the flames, The first fire was discovered in a bedroom downstairs, and after- this was put out the witness and others proceeded upstairs, when looking through the keyhole of room No. 2 the witness sawfire "and smoke coming from underneath the door. Hansen declared there was no fire there saying ' Iv's all out now,' and wanted them to go away, but witness insisted .that there-. waß fire, and broke open, the door wishah axe. The room was full of smoke, aad a man named Howard rushed in with a buqket of water. Tbey found that a mattrass, which was turned up on edge against the wall, was also burning. In No. 3 room, which was not looked, thgy found a mattrass turned: against the wall apparently having been set fire to, but it had not burrwd. After this they looked abont upstairs foe farther traces of fire and observed Bmoike ooming from underneath the door of room No. 1, which was also locked. Bursting it open, the bede bthcß were discovered to be on fire, which was suppressed. Alex. Russell, a butcher, .who assisted to extinguish the fire, corroborated ... Snow. The inquest is not yet finished. TIMARU, June 26. David Campbell was committed for trial to-day on a charge of stealing 16 sheep belonging to Robert Campbell, of Mount Nissing station. Another information is pending of stealing 64 sheep from M. D. McLeod. AUCKLAND, -„...< "■_..■ June 26. The. pity Council have passed a. resolution urging' the' Government to put the Admiralty house in repair for the accommodation of the Admiral of the Australian station. The estimated cost is £500. 'The .0 Battery has decided to idisband,' owing to the resignation, of its officers and the inability to replace tiiem. A number of members ate getting transfers to the A Bni ■ itery. John Wilson has been committed for triai for stealing altar clothes from St Patrick's Cathedral.At the City Council meeting the Mayor stated that during the last year the Corporation spent £1723 less than its income, and was steadily cutting down the, overdraft.