AUCKLAND SPECIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 121, 1 June 1901, Page 2

AUCKLAND SPECIAL.

THE FATAL FIRE. (Special to Times.) Auckland, last night. Tbo horrible tragedy reported in connection with the burning of the Grand Hotel, has caused a painful sensation in the city. The fire seems to have been advanced too far when the alarm was given to afford the Fire Brigade hope of saving the hotel. Any chanco there might have been of doing this was effectually defeated by the delay and loss of energy involved in dragging up hill a fire engine weighing SOcwt., and by inadequate fire appliances. There is not a great deal more to mention than already telegraphed. The Gisborne Times scored a journalistic triumph in tho giving of the sad news to the public. It beat all the cities—being the only morning journal in the colonios to receive the news in time for publication that morning. Of course this statement has no reference to the Auckland Herald, the staff of which is deserving of much praise for the way in which, under extraordinary difficulties, excellent reports were prepared.

The outbreak occurred a few minutes before one this morning. The Gisborne Times’ special correspondent telephoned tho message to Gisborne at 3.20. The voices, when talking ordinarily, were scarcely audible through the machine. The hands covering the mouth of the transmitter, and speaking very loudly, the tragic messages were received safely at the Gisborne end. ' The Gisborne friends of Mr Hilton Lysnar will, no doubt, be very pleased to learn that the report circulated over Auckland this morning of his perishing in tho flames was without foundation. Mr Lysnar had, 'fortunately, attended St. George’s Bowing Club Ball that evening. Had he been in his room at the hotel, he feels sure, and so I think, that he must have perished along with the other poor unfortunates. The Gisbornite has been the recipient of hearty and earnest congratulations upon the news of his safety. This morning, Mr Hilton Lysnar told the Times’ correspondent what he knew of the disaster as far as it affected himself. “ Last night,” he said, “ I attended the ball of St. George’s Bowing Club in the Choral Hall. It was very lucky for me I did so. I left the hotel at about 10 minutes to eight, I dressed by gaslight, and turned the gas off before I left. There was a candle in the room, but I did not light it. In the ball room, at about one o’clock this morning, a gentleman came up to me and said, 1 The Grand Hotel is on fire.’ I went out to see, but as the place was a whole mass of flames, I thought myself it was no use going up there now, so I went back to the ballroom. -A little while afterwards I heard there was loss of life, and I left the ball and went up to the hotel and reported myself to Mr Johnston and the sergeant of the police, so that they would know I was not in the building. I lost a good deal in the fire, LOO or .£6O worth, including my money. In fact, I was left with only the dress suit in which I attended the ball.”

Mr Lysnar remains in Auckland for a week.

Mr Johnston, proprietor of the Grand Hotel, is almost out of his mind. The doctors injected • morphia into Mrs Johnston, who is very delicate. She knows nothing of the painful occurrence.

Among the many Gisbornites present at St George’s Bowing Club ball held last evening were Mrs (Dr) Williams, Miss Williamson (2), and Mr H. Lysnar. The officers of the American warship Brooklyn were present. Immediately the tragic news of the result of the fire was announced the ball was brought to a sudden termination.