INCENDIARISM SUSPECTED

Hokitika Guardian, 17 October 1924, Page 3

INCENDIARISM SUSPECTED

I lIY Tl.l.llt; U.M-II IT.lt I'IIKSK ASSOCIATION WELLINGTON. Oct. lfi. The cause of the scries of outbreaks of lire in the Albert Hotel, on the night of September 10th. is being investigated in the Magistrate's Court by Mr W. Page. S.M. Senior Detective Cameron is conducting the inquiry, and Mr 11. E. O’Leary watched the proceedings on boliall nt Dwan Brothers, the lessees. 'I lie Superintendent of the Fire Brigade stated the nature of the tires suggested incendiarism. The peculiarity was that each of the three tires was practically the same, and each dour of the rooms in which the fires began was dosed. Andrew Mc.lemiett. the fireman who was left watching the cellar in which the first fire had broken out said that while there he was visited by Mrs Ilavdon. wile of the licensee, who asked him three or four times if he was going to remain there all night. Thomas. Beann.i ul Dwan. one of tli * lessees, said the business was under George llnydon’s name as licensee, and was not sui'cssful. Hnydon had received notice that his services were no longer required, and had remarked to witness: “It is a pity the place was not burnt down long ago.” George llnydon, licensee. declared the burning ol the hotel could not possibly he of any benefit to him. He did not remember remarking: “It is a pity the place was not burnt down long ago.” Though the tires in the bedrooms appeared to have been deliboiae. witness had no theory as to the origin of the (ires. The finding of a four-gallon tin ot kerosene in the kitchen niter the files was described by Fritz Tinney, chef at the hotel.

Evidence was given by George Haydon (licensee). Ids wife, employees, and several guests. The former stated he had boon instructed by Dwan. one of the lessees. Licit his engagement as manager had terminated, ar. it was a losing"proposition. ’Witness was pleased not angle at the decision. l.e could throw no light on the origin ot the tires. . . r Air Ilavilon denied being m any ot the rooms where the fire was discovcrThc chef said that some days after the lire he found a kerosene tin ill the debris. The inquiry was adjourned.