THE MANAKAU FIRE.

Otaki Mail, Volume 27, 19 November 1919, Page 2

THE MANAKAU FIRE.

fICTJJUEST ON THE UNFORTUNATE ' VICTIM. An inquest, adjourned from last week, was held at Manakau on Monday on Mrs Nellie Elizabeth Clare, the unfortunate victim who was burned in the recent lire when the Manakau Hotel was totally destroyed. Mr W. C. Nation was the coroner, Detective-Sergeant Quirkc conducted the case on behalf of the police, while Mr W. S. Park -watched the proceedings on behalf of Mrs Davies. Evidence was given as follows: Edward Williams deposed: I was recently employed as porter at the Manuka u Hotel. I remember November Sth (the Saturday before the fire), and knew the deceased woman, Nellie Elizabath Clare. I remember seeing her on that date at the hotel. I last saw her about 9 p.m. on that date; - shj then seemed quite sober. I slept in room No. 12 (over the kitchen), and retiree to bed that night about 10.30. I saw a Mr Robertson and another boarder at the hotel when I went to bea. I noticed the licensee walking about just before; he was in the hall. Coyle, an-other-boarder, came up the stairs just behind me—he slept in the next room to me. I gave Mr Davies my wallet to take charge pf that evening about ti p.m. Mr Davies put it in his pocket; he did not say he would put it in the 'safe. I first heard the alarm of fire shortly after 4 aim. I think it was Mr Davies who. called nut first. He called

'“fire," after running up the fire escape. 'The fire .appeared to come from 'the room; occupied by the deceased [woman. :,! could not get near her room b—in fact,-! got singed coming down. There wa3 no chance of anyone getting to her room. She was a little fond of but I never saw her in a ruud'dlcd state.

Josephine Maude Davies deposed: T am wife of the late licensee of tho Manakan Hofei, and resided there till the night of 9th November last. I remember the daj preceding the fire, and knew the deceased woman, whom I saw on that date. She was employed in the hotel and occupied room'No. 8 upstairs. I last saw her between 10 and 10.30 p.m. on that date. Sho was then downstairs, bnt was about to go upstairs to her room. She was, fairly sober, but had taken some liquor. I cannot say haw much liquor she had had, but I saw her drinking beer during the afternoon. She was not a woman of temperate habits. The bedrooms arc lit by caudles. As far as I know she occupied the room with no one. I went to bed about 10.30 or 11 p.m. I occupied room No. 3 upstairs. My husband did not accompany me. Thero were only boarders and my husband left in the hotel as far as I know when I went to bed. I cannot say what time my husband wont to bed. I cannot say if thero was a light in deceased’s room when I ipcnt'to bed. I left such things to Mr Davies to attend to. Later I heard someone calling out “fire.” This was at about 4.30 or 5 n.m. I smelt smoke. I awoke my husband and got up quickly; he was sleeping very soundly. I saw the fire was on top of the staircase, in close proximity to No. 8 room. The exit by the stairs was cuf off. My husband and I got out of the window and on to the fire escape. I went out to the back yard and it was while hero I saw Mr Gibbons. Mr | Davies did hi 3 best to alarm the boarders. The strength of the fire was up- | stairs and had not reached below as far as I know. Wo had plenty of tiruo to take our takings from the hotel bar. I There was only one fireplace upstairs, end that in our private room. It was not used that day. Mr Davies made a big attempt to get info the room occupied by'deceased, ascending by the fire escape. Wo were to leave the hotel on the Tuesday after the fire, while our furniture and effects were to be sold by auction. They were insured for 2500 in the Guardian and the Norwich Union—£soo was on the furniture, £IOO on my personal effects, and £3OO on the stock. We only saved a few persona! effects, including clothes, from the fire. Mr Davies saved some money, securing it from the bar. To Mr Park: My husband was partially dressed when I woke him, and apparently did not undress when he went to bed. My husband died on Saturday last from heart failure. To the Coroner: Mr Davies’ health had been failing for some time, and after the fire seemed to totally collapse. He was attended by Dr. Bryson, whs W 33 called in' between 5.30 and 6 rum. on tke morning of his aeath, and again about 10 a.m- He died about 10.15 on Saturday morning. f ! To Mr Park: My husband volunteer- | ed for military service, bnt wa3 rejected on account of a weak heart. Bang! Bans!eld deposed: I am J labourer, work at Manakan, and livs, close to the site of the hotel. I remember the hotel being burned down- Mr Burke aroused me early in the morning —I cannot say what time —but it was daylight. From what he told me I went to the hotel, and raw it ablaze. The fire had a hold uptairs and downstairs when I saw it, but I think it was burning more fiercely upstairs. When I got there I .saw Mr Gibbons and Mr Davies. I asked Davies where hie wife was, and he said she was round theback. Davies said Bill Coyle was upstairs, and I called loudly to him, and then ran up the fire escape and burst in two windows. The la*t window I bursied was in Coyle’s room—he was fast asleep. I woke him. and he got up and sat on his bed. I later returned to Mm and helped him to get through the window. The toam occupied by the deceased woman was a mass of flames, 353 it jras impassible to get near. ' joeejfc WXJght deposed: I am a labourer, and at present reside in idtfn raVan. I remember the evening previous fir-g* &*? and had a drink tfcere about 5.3 d pa. tKti Bobinson. I remained at the hotel 13? abont 10 pan. Bobinson suggested goiufi to bed, and we did so- £ had seen tne deceased woman several timer, and saw ter there that moxoisg on the ham

premises, where she was employed. I last saw her about 8 p.m. She appeared quite sober. I occupied room No. 10. At about 4 o’clock I was awakened by someone calling “lire.” The passage was full of smoke, but I saw no flames at the time. I collected a few clothes and got out by the fire escape. The first person I saw on getting out was a small man —X do not know his name, and then Mrs Davies, who had two small bags in her hand. She did not have many clothes on, and was covered by a coat. I did not see Hr Davies till later. I saw no persons in the bar when I went to bed the night previous. I acted as barman for a few minutes during the afternoon. Michael Burke deposed: I am a railway porter, residing at Manakau. On the date of the recent fire X heard an alarm given, and on looking out of the window saw smoke issuing from the hotel. I called Hangi Bansfield and came on to the hotel. I saw a Native, who said he had come out of the hotel ; ho seemed peculiar. I then saw .Gibbons coining from the rear of the hotel with some pf his belongings. Tne fire was strongest upstairs. Gibbons said there were three boarders there, but it was impossible to get to them. Knnsficld, however, ran up the fire escape, smashed the windows, and called Gut. I knew the deceased woman, who was of intemperate habits. A verdict was returned: “That tho deceased woman, Neliie Elizabeth Clare, lost her life in a fire which consumed the Manakau Hotel on Sunday morning, November 9th, 1919.’’ Tho coroner added that the. evidence adduced made it fairly clear that tho fire started in or near the room occupied by tho deceased.’’