THE WELLINGTON FIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 281, 27 November 1901, Page 2

THE WELLINGTON FIRE.

INQUEST ON THE VICTIMS, fKR BBEBB ASSOCtATIOK. Wellington, November 26. An inquest was opened to-day concerning the death of William Isaac Crawford, who met his death through injuries received at the burning of the Oriental Hotel on Monday morning. Medical evidence showed that deceived was terribly burned about the head, arms, and body, and also on the tongu?, and throat. Crawford occupied a, room on the second and was aroused by the night porter (a negro) who ap i pears to have acted with great bravery I and presence of mina throughout. How, Crawford reached the street is not yet clear, but he was found wandering! about on the railway station in great) agony. He told the hospital surgeon I that he had be«s drying the previous j njght, Death was due to shook. The evidence was not ooncluded, and the inquiry was adjourned until Monday. Deceased was a married man, and oame down from Masterton on Wed nesday. He had been living in the Wellington district for the last two or three years. He was a graduate of l Trinity College, Dublin, and ODly, surviving son of the late Robert Crawford, of County Sli-o. Da-! ceased was mostly engaged during, his colonial career in scholastic and literary work, At one <ime he was] masttr at Newington College, Sydney, and later at Armidale Grammar School! j Thence he went to Queenbland, and; was engaged in teaching work at Bundaberg. During the whole of this time Crawford was a constant contributor to many Australian paptrs. For some time past he has resided in Masterton, where h$ was engaged in coaching. le «v=s a widow, who is a we'l-known miniature painter, and two infant children,