THE ORIENTAL HOTEL FIRE.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 27 November 1901, Page 4

THE ORIENTAL HOTEL FIRE.

Inquest on William Crawford

(per press association.)

Wellington, Nov 27.

An inquest was opened to-day concerning the death of William Isaac Crawford, who met his death through injuries received Jby the burning of the Oriental Hotel on ..Monday morning.

The medical evidence showed that deceased was terribly burned about the head, arms and body, and also on the tongue an! throat. Crawford occupied a rjom on the second floor, andwa3 aroused by the night porter, a negro, who appeared to have aoted with great bravery aid presence of mind throughout. How Crawford managed to reach the street is not yet clear, but he was found wandering about on the railway station in great; a<?ony. He told he hospital surgeon that he had been drinking on the previou* night. His death was due to the shock. The evidence was not cono'.uded, and the enquiry was adjourned until Monday.

D ceased was a married iran and came down from Masterton on Wednesday. He ha 1 been living in the Wellington district for over two or three years and was a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, and the only surviving son of the late Robert Crawford, of County * Sligo. He was mostly engaged during his colonial career in scholastic and literary work. At one time he was master at Newington Collego, Sydney, and later at the Armidale grammar school. Thenca he went to Queensland, and was engaged in teaching work at Bundaberg. During the whole of this time Crawford was a constant contributor to many Australian papers. For some time past he has resided at Masterton where he was engaged in coaohing. He leaves a widow, who is a well known miniature painter, and two infant children.