STOKE ORPHANAGE FIRE.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 880, 2 May 1903, Page 3

STOKE ORPHANAGE FIRE.

By Telegraph—Press Association

Nelson, last nigh

The inquest on the Stoke Orphanage fire was completed to-day. The jury found that a ten-year-old boy, William Wilson, re-entered the burning building after having once got out, and that be lost his life therein. They added a rider recommendI ing that in case of the school being rebuilt I a competent nightwutcbinan be employed and kept on the premises. The jury also expressed commendation of the conduct of Messrs Fitzgerald and Beech and of tho buy Dennis. It transpired that Dennis went into a doimitory after all the occupants bad apparently been got out, and that be found tho boy Wilson asleep with tbe bea clothe.; over Ins head. He carried the bo.v some distance, when he stumbled and Wilson awoke. He then carried him to the fire escape shoot, and sent him down. From the evidence it transpired that the otigin of the fire remains a mystery. Mr Pope, of the Education Department, was present at the inquest, which was conducted by Sergeant Dougan before the S.M., Mr Robinson. Mr Fell watched tlie proceedings for the authorities, and Messrs Edwards and Wilson for the insurance companies.

The Tuapeka County Gouucil, at their lost meeting, increased the rate for tne current year from ;{d in tho £ to Id.

TO THE BUBGESSES OP GISBORNE.

AND GENTLEMEN,-

I have to thank those who voted and worked unsolicited in my interest aL the recent election. 1

would ask those who are sceptical regarding my attitude in opposing the water and drainage schemes suggested by Mr Meshtyer to follow and consider this question more closely in the future than has been done by the majority of the ratepayers in the past, and to take nothing for granted. If they do this, 1 venture lo think they will ultimately see the reason of my objections, and that those objections are fully justilied and well founded. I maintain that neither the schemes themselves nor their financial aspect arc properly understood, nor have they been correctly placed before you in the past. I hope that you will do what you can to see that the new Council considers these questions on their merits and faces the facts as they are —and not as we might like them to lie.

Trusting Lliu.fi in the near future reliable and economical water j and drainage works will he w r ell under weigh (for I am thoroughly satisfied

that 'reliable water and drainage works can he obtained for this town at less than half the cost of the present scheme). 1 am, Yours respectfully, W. DOUGLAS LYSNAR.