THE INQUEST ON THE DUNEDIN FIRE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5759, 13 September 1879, Page 2

THE INQUEST ON THE DUNEDIN FIRE.

Dcnedix, Friday. The evidence of Mr. Hall, proprietor of the City Dye Works, and his servant girl, at the inquest to-day, gave a very mysterious air to the fire. They swear very positively .that when they saw the fire (and they were the first to do so) the flame was confined to a room on the second loor. A man, fully dressed, was attempting to put it out, and there was a sudden subsidence of the flame. The man afterwards went on the balcony and disappeared, and immediately afterwards the flames burst out all over the floor. None of the inmates of the building know anything of the circumstances above narrated. The City Surveyor Is strongly of opinion that all the bodies are recovered. The deceased man, Martin, was buried this afternoon. The Wilsons will, be interred tomorrow. Later. The inquest on the bodies recovered from Rosa’s buildings was continued to-day. Several of the bodies were identified, but others could not be recognised. One of tho surviving daughters of Mr. Wilson gave evi. dence. Louisa Maria Wilson, who was not sworn, as she stated her parents did not believe in the Bible, said I was 13 years old yesterday, and lived with my parents in Ross's Buildings at the 1 time of the fire. On Sunday night I slept in the next room to mamma in No. 4. The servant and my slater slept there also. The servant screamed out, and I heard a noise of people running downstairs, trying to get out. 1 I ran out into the passage, but had to come back again, and lay my head on tha bed on account of the heat. I then ran out again, and a man narifed' Mr. Grant took me downstairs. We went down by the centre stairs. The servant ran out of the room the first time, but we were obliged to turn back, as we could not breathe. When I left the second time, the servant was in the bedroom. Lillie was rolled out of the window. I thought father had already gone downstairs. I never heard s them say anything. My brothers Bob and r Fred, slept in No. 3. I saw no more of them. I have heard father say that the stairs were not safe, as strange people coming up would not be able to find the stairs again. The inquest was adjourned till Monday next.