DUNSTAN.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 213, 9 December 1873, Page 6

DUNSTAN.

[PROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] December 8, 1873. On Sunday last, about a quarter past one, the town was startled by the alarm of fire, which was seen to proceed from the Clyde Hotel. f . Assistance was quickly available, but the flames spread with such rapidity that little could be done towards saving the building or even anything in it of value. The whole of the town race was, turned in the direction of the hotel, and everyone went at it with a will, using buckets and what other means were at hand. The only good effected, however, was to prevent the fire extending to other buildings. So rapidly did the fire spread in the hotel, that in fifteen minutes after it broke out, the whole building was in ruins. The servant girl did not even get time to get any of Tier things out but those she stood in ; and T. Gilmou'r, who had travelled from Cromwell in the early morning, and was lying in the farthest-off room, had to make his escape through the window. An inquest was held to-day by the Coroner lor the district, (W. L. Simpson, Esq.,) and a jury of twelve, Mr J. U. Cambridge being foreman. John M'Gonnochie, James Fell, Bridget Tochill, Emily Irving, and Thomas Hawthorne gave evidence of what was known -of the origin of the fire. J. M'Connochie said the fire took place a little after one. There was no person in the house to his knowledge but Fell, the servant, himself, and Mr Hawthorne’s boy. Saw the boy coming down the passage, and going into the bar. Supposed he went into the room which he afterwards heard was Hawthorne’s bedroom. Saw the boy leaving again. After the boy left, he heard a crackling as of something frying. Looked in the direction of the sound, and discovered the place was on fire. Did not see the magpie about the place.-—James Fell’s evidence was of a very similar nature. He was in the house from about half-past eleven till the fire took place. M‘Connochie gave the alarm first. He (Fell) then ran to the room where the fire was, and then went to look for some water, but found none. The fire quickly mounted up to the roof. Table was laid for dinner at the time. He then ran outside, and proceeded to take the horse out of the stable. Did not see Hawthorne’s boy go into the room. The magpie was in the cage two or three minutes before.—Bridget Tochill, in addition to what was stated by previous witnesses, said that there was no fire in the billiard-room or bedroom. She had seen the boy with matches in the bar, but never in the bedroom. Hawthorne was out more than an hour before the fire took place. There was no light in the room where she supposed the fire had originated for three or four hours before. She could state that positively, as she had been in for table-linen. Did not see the boy about the room during the day.—The next witness said she saw smoke coming from Hawthorne’s hotel about five minutes past one. No one seemed to notice it inside for two or three minutes. She ran and diverted the town-race in the direction of the hotel. —Thomas Hawthorne stated that he was the owner of the place burned down. He had left about half-past eleven. Had gone to the garden, and thence to several places. Was with Mr Jeffrey and Mr Cox when the firebell rang out. Found it was his own place which was on fire, and ran down towards it. His boy had free access to his bedroom. Had checked him two years ago for using matches, and had since seen him with them. _ Was not aware of anything in his room likely to catch fire ; and there had been no fires in use for more than four weeks. He valued the house at £4OO, and the furniture at from £ISOO to £I6OO. He had an insurance policy for £6OO, Mr Simpson then summed up, and the jury retired, and after a short consultation, they returned a verdict of “ Accidental Fire.”