FURTHER PARTICULARS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XL, Issue 2919, 31 January 1884, Page 2

FURTHER PARTICULARS.

The following are further particulars re tho [ Bre at Kaiparo, m which James Harric, the Cook of McLsllan'a hotel, and bin assistant (Moonej) were burnt to death. The flre broke put at ten o'clock last night. The two men had retired to rest m an upstairs bedroom over tha- kitchen. It is believed the fire originated there. It, was in-,pos-eible to get inlo the room, and the greatest beste was made with a view to save a few atticlosoCfurniture and wei.ring apparel. It did not enter into anyone's head wbilo taring these articles that tyro human beings were being burnt to death m, their beds. ; Suddenly a cry was raised,' Where's Jaok Harris, the cook ?" Frantic pries were railed, a* Harris was seldom kpowtvlo leave the premises, and though he had not been seen it was thought he might be at.band. No response was made. The neighborhood was searched, but no one had, seen Harris, and ia fact at this time most people were engaged endeavoring to prevent the.flames spreading to MoLeod's storea and other buildings or m trying to get goads, etc., out. The commotion at this time was heignlened by MoLeod's stores bursting into flames, and also by shouts of "Where is -Mooney ?" As kerosene oil and other inflammablo matortals m MoLeod'a warehouse began to burn, the flames shot upwards, casting an angry glare over the western sky, which led to' the Auckland firebell being rang and an engine bcirg got out, though forty miles distant. Whila the flumes were at their highest,a tremendous explosion took place m the store, lifting the bloztog woodwork and red hot sheets of galvanised iron high up m the air, and just as the < Sects of this startling pyrotechnio display csased, Constable Houghton dragged forth f^pm the burning pile of the hotel oiportion Of the body of Harri*,the cook.. A number of residents fought with the fire and endeavo|Bd to stay ita further progress, as well as to cave all that was possible of the splendid stqck of Messrs McLeod, but unfortunately a large quantity wos stored m the cellars, and with much m the main building, was loet. It waa evident that unless V butcher* shop adjoining the stares was guieily pnlled down another blobs: of buildings would be burned. By this means, a. .blacksmith's shop was saved, also a baket'ii shop and two prirate residences. The ntables opposite the hotel uaxt ignited, and it waa evident if the came were burnt tht.t the Fublio Hall and' James MoLsod's private residence would be destroyed. Fortunately the fire waa. arrested. ; A feeling* -of borror and regret prevailed when'the strain ol! work .was over and it became generally known that Harris and Mooney were- gone, and lhat the two men had sotaally been burnt to-death. Constable Naughton, with Msittanoe,' extrioatad from the fire portions' Of the- charred remains, of the unfortunate Harris' StAly. It was fairly complete' but only th« disjointed fragments of the other man's body bare been rescued, and which, are hardly discernible as being any put of a human body. Two other lives were nearly sacrificed, and it was only by extraordinary exertion* that Daniel Moljellaa, the hotel'kesper, rescued his two children. Harris was a single man, sged 45; and is well known m the timber trade; John Mooney was astrangSr:'in the district, and is believed to hsre teen it, single man. .:?!,.\ An inquest was held on the bodies of John Harris and John Mooney today. ' The jury returned a verdict of " Accidentally burned to death." The evidence- showed that the fire originated m their bedroom. Harris hid had Borne beer, but was satdtobcaiblalip take oare oE himself. He is said tofca-ve a considerable sum of money m the b»nk. His real name is Cooksley. He , was formerly m the 401 a Begiment, and also served m Major. (Roberts' division againafc Titokowaru 00 the wa<t coast. Mooney was said to be generally half muddled, but was stated to hove been sober on the night of the fire.