THE OCTAGON FIRE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 909, 19 September 1879, Page 3

THE OCTAGON FIRE.

The enquiry into the late disastrous fire, and also on the unfortunate victims, before Dr Hockcn, Coroner, and a jury of fifteen, Mr R Robin, Chairman, commenced on Thursday last, and was adjourned from day to day till Wednesday, when it was further adjourned. We find it impossible wi hj our limited space to give the evidence in de ail. We collate however the following, from which our readers will understand the reason of thearrest of Mr Waters.

James Gordon Hall, dyer, residing in the Octagon, swore that before the fire hurst out he saw the curtains at one of the windows ablaze, and saw the smouldering mass pulled down. He then saw a body of fire in the room. Shortly after this one of the doors Was opened ami a man came out, closing the door behind him. Could not recognise the man. Louise Simpson, in service with the previous wi.ness, gave similar evidence. John Jolly, jun., watchmaker and jeweller, deposed idiot on passing through the Octagon on the morning of the lire my attention was directed to the Octagon buildings by seeing a li.,ht in the cate. It appeared to be moving about as if someone was c .trying it around. It moved from one apartment into another. I do not think it was blown out—it went out gradually as if moved from one room to another. I then went to the Herald office, and in about nine minutes from first seeing the light 1 saw a reflection of the lire from the back of the Herald office. 1 ran into the street and saw the flames, the body of the fire was then in the cafe. Other witnesses were examined who described the progress of the fire. The evidence of a young man Alfred Hall was then taken, who deposed I fiist knew Mr Waters about two years ago in Melbourne through bis brother Charles Wood lock. About four months ago I met him in Dunedin. I lived with him in the cafe for a short time. I have frequently heard him say in talking about fires that it was quite easy to put a match to everything and all that, but he would not do it without he was insured.

He said it in the presence of Mrs Woodlock

who is called Mrs Waters here. 1 thought he was capable of doing such a thing. I thought in my own mind that a man who would go away with his brother’s wife and child would be capable of doiuj anything after saying it. 1 have it from his brother that he has been convicted and in Pentridge. Besides the names of Wood luck and Waters ho has been known by the name of Clare. 1 hive not the slightest ill-feeling against him. The evidence of the police was taken, during which Mr Inspector Mallard read from the Police Gazette descrintion of a Walter Clark who was convicted in March, 1871, for burglary and stealing, and sentenced to seven years, also to one year for stealing horn the person, and said the description was that of Mr Waters. At a later stage Mr Mallard said in consequence of what had transpired he deemed it his duty to detain Mr Water" in custody. Mr Mallard also read a return which showed that 43 persons were in the house at the time of the lire, of whom C escaped by ropes, 2 from the windows, 2 by a ladder, 1 dropped from the parapet, 22 by the doors, and 12 were killed. Mr Waters was charged before the Police Court on the charge of setting fire to the Octagon cafe and remanded.