Geraldine Hotel Fire.

Temuka Leader, Issue 3507, 19 October 1899, Page 4

Geraldine Hotel Fire.

INQUIRY.

The following report of the evidence given at the inquest on the recent fire at the Geraldine Hotel sample-rooms, was crowded out of our last issue:—

Robert William Brewer, deposed: I am a coach painter, residing at Geraldine. I board in the same house with McKechnie, and sleep in the same room. I remember the night of the fire at Mrs McLean's sample rooms. I went to bed that night at 11.15 o'clock. I don't know what time McKechnie wont to bed. I was asleep, and waking up I saw Clouston and McKechnie in the room. They were not sober, in my opinion. I think they both seemed in about the same state of intoxication. I don't know how long Clouston remained. When I awoke Clouston was taking oil McKechnie's clothes. I didn't see Olouston go away, and didn't see the light put out. The next thing I remember was being awakened by McKechnie, who was putting on his c othes. There was no other person in the room then. I didn't know why McKechnie was getting up, but I knew as soon as I got down the street and met Mr McCaskey. There was nothing said about a fire while McKechnie was getting up. I haven't the slighest idea what time elapsed from the time I went to sleep till when I was awakened by McKechnie, but I am quite certain I was asleep. I got up because McKechnie told me the bell was ringing. Ho didn't tell me where the fire was. I didn't hear Pickles getting up, and didn't see him till 1 got to the fire. I saw Clouston next at the fire, after I saw him in the room. Going towards the Brigade Station 1 met Mr McCaskey, and another. I turned back with them, and the fire was out when we got thero. 1 was sober, but I hitvo not the slightest idea of the time that passed. No one ha.s spukun to me about the evidence to be aiven here to-day. I was not asked by some members to see a solicitor about 'this matter. McKoclmio and myself, in working together, have had a talk about the fire. I have never had any talk with Loach since the fire, and I have not had any talk with Pickles about the fire. I have not made any arrangement with McKechnie about what evidence I should give. By Mr Raymond : I have not seen any solicitor since the fire, and what I am saying now is simply tho truth, and I have no interest whatever in it on behalf of any person. Albert Edward Loach deposed: I am a tiusmith, residing at Geraldine. I have been outside the court, but have not heard anything that has been said. 1 am a member of the Geraldine -Fire Brigade. I remember tho night of September 28th last. I was present at the Hall at the entertainment that night. I left the hall about l'O minutes to 11 o'clock, as near as I can judge. I was sober, and adjourned to Farreil's after leaving the hall. I couldn't say how long I remained there. I was sober, and must have been there, say, fully half an hour. I went home then, after yarning on the road for a while. Clouston and McKechnie, I think, were on the road when I left to go home. I did not hear the fire bell that night, but I was first fireman at the tire. The girls from the Crown Hotel aroused me. The fireman's first duty, as I have learned since the fire, is to go to the station when there is afire. I have been a member of the brigade since March last. On joining tho brigade, I was not instructed in the rules, but I applied for a set of rules. On being aroused I immediately went to the seat cf the fire. Thero were present Mrs McLean, E. O'Brien, a traveller, and otheis. The fire was out when I arrived. I looked over it, but did not coruo to any conclusion as to how the fire originated. I have not soi-n the seat of the fire since it occurred. This matter has been talked over at the Eire Brigade's meeting since the fire occurred. It was ,agreed at the meeting how the lire originated. Because there was a suspicion on the brigade, I account for proposing at the meeting that a solicitor be employed to watch the enquiry on behalf of the brigade. The suspicion I believe was on individual members of the brigade. At this fire I examined the place and reported to the captain. No one has approached me since the fire, asking me not to give evidence at this enquiry in case I might incriminate myself. Being one of the first firemen present at the fire I didn't notice where the lamp was in the room or interfere with it in any way. Myself and other members have talked about the fire, but not about the evidence to be given to-day. Constable Mullaney was present when the detective told mo. The detective said he knew the man right enough. Tne detective asked where I saw Cloustoa that night, and I forget the other questions, J. h*d no suspicion before then, but drew my Conclusions aimply from that one question. As a fireman and a good citizen I consider it my duty to assist the police in finding out the cause of these fires. 1 don't know that I made the remark that the detectives were not smart enough for tho Geraldine boys. I will swear I never made such a remark. I remember a fire about 12 months ago known as " Fisher's fire." I believe it was a suspicious fire, because I heard so, and it was in the paper. I was at the fire, but did not draw any conclusion about it. The origin of the lire was not talked of in the Brigades* meetings. 1 remember .Detective Fitzgerald being at Geraldine enquir ug into the cause of that fire. He talked to me casually at the tea-table iibout the fire. I don't remember making the remark "tho has got —in the room s,nd he will split." 1 remember having seen Detectxv.e d with Clouston at the Crown Hotel, and as : a result I did not think Clouston would split. I heard that Clouston's clothes were examined after the fire. I don't know who told zne. I did not examine other firemen's clotho3 or ray own since that, to see if there was kerosene on them. I \ don't know whether there ia kerosene on ; other members' clothes, but it is quite j probable there is. lam not aware that j the matter was brought up at a meeting of the brigade, and I have been present at eyepy meeting since the fire. The matter, however, VB3 mentioned while talking casually to firemen. In my opinion finding kerosene on a neuiber'o clothes would bo no evidence against him. It was not agreed upon by the majority of the fjiembers of the Brigade to shield thencomrade. I proposed to get a solicitor to watch the interests of the Brigade, because I thought it was the right thing to do, I was perfectly satisfied the Brigade was innocent. My other reason was that a solicitor might help us to bring out evidence regarding the fire, so that; the enquiry might be a full one. By Mr &. Raymond: I consider the interests of the brigade were attacked and that the suspicions were unfair. Detective Fitzgerald asked me also about another fireman. I have not given any statement to the police, but was perfectly willing to give one. I consider that one maa has been at tho bottom of all the fires. I have j suffered loss to tho extent of .£OS on fire ■ myself. The brigade were not at all pleased about the fires occurring. It was not to their benefit. Members' clothes j got kerosene on them from the engine. On the night of the fire, as far as I remember, I left Clouston and McKechnie at the butcher's corner, the latter being the worse for liquor. I don't think Clouston was so bad.

By police: I was not asked for a written statement by the police. I was asked by the detective where I left Clouston and McKechnie. He asked a series of questions and I gave him what I knew. I did not say 1 was drunk and cculd not remember anything, but detective Fitzgerald did say " I believe the Fire Brigade are a drunken lot, and they don't seem to remember anything." Louis Pickles deposed: I am a bicycle repairer at Geraldino, and am a member of tho Fire Brigade. I was present at the entertainment at tho hall on 28th September last, which ended shortly before 11 p.m. I went to Farrell's Hotel from tho hall with most of the members of the Fire Brigade. Heft the hotel about 11.30 p.m., when all

the members also left. Most of them were sober, only one or two being under the influence of liquor, viz., McKechnie and Clouston. I went to bed between 11.30 and midnight. McKechnie and I board at the same house. I heard the firebell that nio-hfc. Clouston came into my room while the bell was ringing. I didn't notice if he was fully dressed. He said " Get up, the fire bell is ringing." I said: "Yes, I'll go down on the bike." He said he would wait for me, and ho did so, both of us going to the station together. I fancy I heard Clouston calling McKechnie. 1 didn't call him because I am not supposed to. I didn't think anything about ifc. I told Clouston he needu't wait for me, I would go down on the bike. Clouston was a bit fively and excited. He seemed sober enough. I didn't notice any signs of drink on him. On going to the Brigade Station I believe he said something about ringing the boll. I wouldn't ring the bell if there was no fire visible. I didn't know whether there was a fire or not. Clouston never called me to a fire before. Mr Bethune was the first to tell me where the fire was. I was asleep when the bell rang, an ( heard about it a second before Clouston came into the room. I didn't hear McKechnie going into the house that night. I was sober. When I got to the station Groves, Beckley, and Benningt m were there, but I don't lemember seeing anyone else. I was going to the station when Mr Bethune told mo where the fire was. After rem-iining about ten minutes at the station we went to the scene of the fire. I was drossed in my lire uniform exc 'pt the trousers. I did not examine the seat of the fire to see how it originated, and don't remember it being visible. Have been in the brigade about six months. If I had any reason to know anything as to the origin of the fire I have no object in not stating if. Did not say to anyone " If I know anything about the fire, [ d;»te not tell." Detective Fitzgerald visited me in the shop and 1 am quite sure never made such a satement to him. Immediately after Detective Fitzgerald and Constable Mullauey interviewing me I did not go and have it talk with auof her member of the Brigade. Dun't remember going to the shop occupied by Loach and Dunu at that time. Business frequently took me over there on other occasions.

By the jury : Waited at the station ton minutes to hear where the fire was. The man who gave the alarm was not theie. We did not take the engine at once, as we wanted tO know if it was worth while.

By Mr Eaymond: There was no show of fire at the time. Clouston's wish to ring the bell was because all the members were not then;.

By the police : Cloustou was advised not to ring the bell. By llie Bench: Ifc is riot customary to rush off to where we think the fire is without making sure of it. George Bethune, deposod: lam a saddler, residing at Geraldine. I remember passing two firemen who were on their way to the station on the night of the fire. At that time I did not know where the fire was. I remember saying, as I thought, " Come on back," as I thought to help with the engine. At that time I could give them no definite information wheie the fire was, but I met someone afterwards who said the fire was at McLean's, and the first intimation the brigade got from me was at the station, and I gave it to them in an undecided way, and some of the brigade were not decided what to do. Someone at Mr Pye's told me they thought they heard the man who rang the bell call out that the fire was at McLean's. It did not strike me as strange that the brigade did not go immediately to the scene of the fire. Louis Pickles, recalled: I don't think I made a mistake in saying Mr Bethune told me where the fire was. At any rate it was someone we met. It might have been when he came back from the shed. It was somewhere near Mr Bethuue's gate. It was not Oioustou who told me, for he was with me at the time.

Daniel McKechnie, deposed •. I am a coaclvpainter, residing at Geraldine. I was present and took part in the entertainment on the night of Sept. 28th. Left the hall between 10.15 p.m. and 11p.m. Went to Farrell's in company with other members of the brigade. Could not tell how long I was there. Can't say whether I was sober. That is for others to say. I thought I was. I will bo 27 years of age next bhthday. 1 believe I was not sober. Clouston went home with me to my ledg-ings, As far as I remember we ivero the last to leave the corner opposite the Crown Hotel. When I got to my lodgings could not swear how 1 got to lied, but have a faint recollection of Clouston pulling off my clothes and boots, but would not swear to anything I did or what happened. Later on, hearing someone crying" Fire" at the front of the house, I jumped out of bed and dressed. 1 haveno idea how long I had been asleep, but the first thing that 1 asked myself was "How long have I been asleep." Have no idea what time J got to the fire. I dres-ed aud went to tbe tire without; any assistance. As s- on as I came out of the housa 1 made ior the brigade shed, and I fancy I mot Mr McCaskey and Mr Logan, who J believe said they thought it was at McLean's, sol ran back again. T didn't hear the fire hell. As far as I know, no one called me to the lire, but I have a faint reco leotk n of someone standing at my door when 1 woke up. Clouston might have called mo and then gone to Pickles' room, but I would not swear it. As soon as Constable Mullaney spoka to me about an argument we had about going to the p(uti/>n bpfore joing to the tire I rememliered something /bout it. I remember ■ unstable Mullaney asking it Clouston was at supper with mo when the bell rang. My reply was that ho was not at supper with me then. 1 also remember Constable Mullaney asking mo on another occasion if Clouston was with me when the bell rang. I replied that J was asleep then. I rouiember Constable Mullaney asking Clouston at the »ams tiui4 whether iVo still maintained that he was with me when the bell rang, and Clouston repliod that he must have been dreaming or some thing to that effect. 1 took it to mean that he must have been dreaming if he said so to you. Clouston and I have had no talk as to tho course to aiopt at this enquiry to-day. If Clouston still maintains that he was in my company when the bell rang I say it is not correct. By the jury: I might have cried out to Brewer chat tae bell was ringing even if I n-ver heard it.

William Fh nrlng deposed ; J am a plumber, residing at Uei'aldine. I was at the Brigade Station after the bell rang on the night of the fire at McLean's. I saw Clouston there shortly afterwards. I said " You haven't bees long in getting down." He replied he was just taking oft his coat when he heard every tinkle of ihe bell and came straight away. I thought in taking off bis coat he was getting into bed at home.

By Mr Eayinond: Fireman Groves was somewhere about during the conversation. Clouston said 7 or 8 minutea afterwards to Mr Pye that he was at Melvechnie's and was on his way home to bed. Constable Mullaney deposed: I remember the night pf the fire i Q question. About 12.301 heard the bell ring. On going outside I heard voices about tho Geraldine Hotel and went there. Tho fire was out then. Upon going inside I found a very strong smell of kerosene, and also noticed the lamp standing on tho table with the glass off standing beside it. I put my hand on the lamp and found it quite wet with kerosene, J went back the following morning and examined the place thoroughly, and came to the conclusion that the fire had been wilfully caused by kerosene being thrown from the lamp and then set ou fire. In the course of enquiry I spoke to Fireman Olouston and said it was strange he didn't notice the fire in passing on his way to the station. He said he didn't come past there, as he wasn't at home, but that he was with McKechnie, who denied that statement in the presence of Clouston and Mcllroy, and in reply Clouston said he must have been dreaming when he said so. I was afterwards in company with Detective Fitzgerald when he interviewed Clouston. In reply to Fitzgerald's question as to where ho was when the bell rang, Clouston said " I absolutely refuse to give you any information j You

are paid for finding out, and I will give you a good run for your money." Fitzgerald said " What am I to think then if you refuse to give information? The other firemen afforded me all the information they could." Clouston said " you can think what you like and do as you please." He then examined Clouston's clothes and took possession of them. By Mr Raymond: He had previously told me he was in McKechnie's company but I don't remember his saying he was at McKechnie's when the bell rang. By Sergeant Fraser : McKechnie's house is about 500 yards from Cloustons. A smart runner could get there in about two minutes.

Mr Eaymond asked that fireman Groves be called.

Charles Groves deposed: I am a member of the Geraldine Fire Brigade. On the night of the fire in qviestion I was second at the shod. I remember Clouston and Pickles coming there together. Shortly after Clouston got there, Mr Pye asked Clouston if he had seen the fire as he came from home, aud he said he had not come from home but from McKechnie's and was goinsr home to bed When we got there we didn't know what to do, and the question was put to ascertain the whereabouts of the fire. The question was put less than (3 or 7 minutes after Clouston's arrival. I heard him give no other explanation as to his whereabouts.

By the Police : I remember an infcorview with Constable Mullaney and Detective Fitzgerald. I told them I had met Clouston and Pickles above the shed a little, I dm't recollect tolling them I met these trt*o firemen in front of Pearpoint's old store, If they swore it I would say I don't recollect it.

The jury, after a short retirement, returned the following unanimous verdict—- " That some person or persons, to the jury unknown, did feloniously, wilfully, and maliciously set lire to the said sample rooms with intent to injure Annie Gertrude McLean, tenant of the same, against the form aud statute herein made and provided ; and add us a rider : That the jury desire to express their regret at the action of several members of the tire brigade—four i i number, and constituting oue-third of the brigade—have given their evidence in a most objectionable manner, and that, instead of assisting the police in this enquiry, as was their duty, they have o'isti'ucled them in their efforts to bring the offender to justice; their actions casting thus a severe reflection upon the brigade as a body. The jury further wish to place on record their appreciation of the efforts mado by the police in this enquiry." The Court then closed.