Inquest Opened.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 87, 3 April 1914, Page 5

Inquest Opened.

UPPER HUTT TRAGEDY.

SURVIVOR'S GRAPHIC STORY.

[Pee Press Association.] Upper Hutt, April 3

! The inquest on the victims of the Upper Hutfc tragedy opened to-day before Mr W. G. Riddell, District Coroner.

I Mr K. B. Morrison, K.O. (with him Mr O'Leary), appeared for Messrs Bengo and Pratt, proprietors of the building demolished.

Mr T. M. Wilford represented the relatives of deceased. The first witness was Ernest Charles Thomas, who gave formal evidence of the nature of the explosion, which, he said, was of such a force as to blow him 20 yards across the road. Just prior to the explosion, witness saw. Constable Mahoney and Taylor, Vivian, Flynn and another person inside. Previously witness had said to .Constable Mahoney: "Any explosives in this show?" Mahoney replied: "No; it's alright." Witness said he heard another man ask the same question of. Vivian, and the reply was the same. At the time of the explosion the flames wore making their way to the upper storey of the shop. After the explosion the coat witness was wearing was covered with grey spots.

To Mr Wilford, witness said there was no doubt Constable Mahoney went into the building for the sole purpose of saving those already inside. Taylor, Flynn, and Vivian were all engaged saving property when the explosion occurred.

Further evidence in second edition