THE LATE FIRE IN BROADWAY.

Inangahua Times, Volume VII, Issue 1038, 20 January 1882, Page 2

THE LATE FIRE IN BROADWAY.

An inquest upon the late fire at the Temperance Hotel, Broadway, was held on Wednesday last, before Mr P. Brennan, J.P. The following evidence was called : — Alexander Cameron, watchmaker, residing at Reefton. On the 11th instant, I was the occupier of the Temperance Hotel ; I remember the morning ; I got up about C o'clock in the morning ; I had no fire in the place at that hour ; I think I got some matches from Mr Danks' servant, having none on the premises ; I then returned towards home, and noticed Kater running across the street and smoke arising from the direction of my place, but did hot hear the fire-bell ; I saw Harry Kater who told me the place was on fire ; I did not see him ring the firebell. There was no fire in any of the fire places on my premises on that morning. There was no one but myself there previous to my leaving ; I had no matches in the place on the morning of the fire; I don't think I purchased any matches the day previous. By a juror : Was on friendly terms with Kater. Do not remember when I last had fire in the place. Francis Wills : I am a miner residing in Upper Broadway ; I know the previous witness ; I knew that he occupied the premises known as the Temperance Hotel previous to the 11th instant ; I got up early on that morning ; I saw the place on fire at 5 or 5.30 a.m.f |At that time did not see Cameron ; I heard the alarm of fire given while at breakfast, and went out and looked through the front window, when I noticed fire between the shop and thQ next room back. This was close adjoining to Kater's Exchange Hotel ; I did not notice any fire in the chimney at the back room ; I did not see Cameron until about half-an-hour afterwards ; I think he was sober ; I cannot say about his temperate habits. Louisa King : I am barmaid at Danks' Hotel ; I know Mr Cameron the occupier of premises burnt ; I remember the morning of 11th instant ; I was up early that morning. Mr Cameron came to the hotel and asked for a glass of brandy, which I gave him. He lighted his pipe while in the bar with a match ; I do not remember where he got the match ; I did not give him any matches at all — cannot say if he got them from the bar. When he came to the place he was sober as near as I could judge ; I cannot testify as to his habits ; I did not hear the fire-bell that morning, but I saw the Exchange Hotel on fire. Cameron came to the bar at twenty minutes to five that morning. I do not remember Cameron asking me for any matches. Joseph Walier : I am a painter residing in Reefton ; I remember the morning of the 11th instant ; I got up at a few minutes past five, when I noticed the place occupied by A. Cameron, on fire; I know Cameron well; I met him at Smith-street that morning a few minutes previous to seeing the fire. On meeting him he said good morning. On turning round I noticed some smoke, and said to Cameron there is a fire about your place, when Cameron said, "Oh ! Christ ! I left my billy on the fire." I then ran to Rhodes' and gave the alarm ; I afterwards ran to tlio fire, when I noticed it near Kater's Hotel, but which had not yet caught 5 1 have been in and out frequently at Cameron's. There was a fire place there, but opposite side of Katcr's Hotel, The fire soon communicated itself to Kater's. an'l I ran to save the piano, and afterwards lwked for the children, >vho

had been roused up ; I know Cameron '■ well, and would consider him an intemperate man. Charles Cohen : I am a stationer ; I know Mr A. Cameron, who resided in the Temperance Hotel, Upper Broadway. When I first saw the fire on the 11th instant, it was in that direction : I re- 1 member Cameron purchasing matches at my place on the day previous. About eight or nine months since, Cameron lived next door to my premises in Broadway, and I had Berious apprehension about the safety of the place from remarks he made, and from his general careless habits; I was in dread of Mr .Cameron setting my place on fire. I have frequently pointed out to the police the danger, and at one time consulted Mr Shaw while R.M. here. Cameron is not a sober man, he is addicted to drink, and I have seem him druuk frequently ; I may mention in explanation that whilst in moods of irritation, Cameron threatened to do mischief, but I don't wish to make j the man appear blacker than what he is. Ralph de Young :lam a miner ; I remember the 11th instant ; I was up early on that morning, and went to the fire about quarter past five.' I saw some smoke arising from the house, and on calling out for Cameron I got no answer ; I then went in and fpund~that the scrim and the roof was onifere" ijrr*thf Fr6oml)e--hind the shop, close to Kater's Hotel. On a previous occasion I found that Cameron had a big fire burning in the chimney, and on going in I put it out, as Cameron was not in ; I afterwards told Kater to be careful, as otherwise he would get burned down. By a juror-: On first going in to the place I took notice that no fire had been lighted in the fire place that day, nor any appearance of fire for some days, nor was there any wood there. Mrs E. King : My shop is nearly opposite the house Cameron occupied ; I remember the morning of the fire ; I was not up early on that morning ; I heard the alarm about 6 o'clock on that morning, and got up. On going to the front I saw the fire, and found my neighbour Mre Wills also outside. David M*Beath : I know A. Cameron who occupied the Temperance Hotel up till the time of fire. He was formerly a neighbour of mine living next door ; I have been apprehensive of a fire while Cameron lived in the block, and have probably mentioned the matter to the police, but never instructed them to take action in the matter. I have heard him use threats. I heard him on one occasion say, referring to M'Gaffin's, that a box of matches would settle the business. This happened about eighteenfnionths ago. I was always in dread while he remained a neighbour. Several other witnesses' 'were examined, but their evidence was unimportant, and the jury returned an open verdict, adding a rider calling the attention of the police to the existence of " The Habitual Drunkards Act."