AT THE HOSPITAL.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 155, 22 May 1886, Page 4

AT THE HOSPITAL.

One of our staff visited the Hospital this morning, and was courteously received by the House Surgeon, Dr. Bond, who kindly afforded every information and permitted the injured men to be intei viewed. The Doctor stated that Frosdwick was suffering severely from shock, caused by burns to the legs and abdomen. The patient McLaughlin had injured his tpine in jumping from the burning building. Edward Neil had sustained a compound fracture of the leg, and also injuries to the chest. Frosdwick appears to be about forty-five years of age. As he was in intense suffering, no particulars could be obtained from him, I eyond the statement that he is a single man, and also that the lower part of his body was completely baked. The nether portion of the body has been burned a dull yellow colour, and it is evident that the injuries are of a very serious character. jn a very short time he became delirious, and the surgeon had to administer an opiate. Edward Neil, who is a man about 30 years of age, states : "I was awakened with a cry of fire. I jumped out of bed and found the room full of smoke. I went into the passage and could see the flames coming up tho staircase. lat once rushed to tho window and sprang out from the second story. My right hand is severely burned, and my leg broken. lam not married, and wag out of work. I have come from the Thames lately, and have no relatives or friend?, excepting the mates that have worked with me on various odd jobs. I only lost my clothing, as i had not much else to lose." Neil's face ia sadly i burned, his whiskers and moustache being singod quite short Be alco complains of the pain in his che3t, resulting from the fall. He ap peared very weak and could scarcely epeak. Joseph roughton's Statement. This patient appears to be suffering mostly from the severe shock caused to his system by the fall, tie states : lam a single man, 27 years of age, and a native of Dublin. I was steward on the Gairloch. I only left her yesterday, and went to the boarding-house just to get a bed for the night. J had novor been thore before, and of course did not know the run of the house. I was awakened by the noise and smoke, and at once jumped out of bed. I seized a pair of trousers, and ran along the passage to the front of the building. Seeing no other means of escape, I sprang out of the window. I landed on the verandah of the shop, which broke my fall, I have saved nothing but my trousers, Alfred Finch's Statement. This patient appears not to have suffered much, there being no marks of the flames having scorched him. He states : lam a single man, 45 years of age. I have been employed as cook, until about a fortnight aero, at His Lordship's Larder, at the foot of Upper Queen -street. I was awakened by hearing Borsboom, the proprietor of the boarding-house, cry out, "Take ifc cool, men ! take it cool 1" I sprang out of bed, and ran, just as I was, in my singlet, through the dining-room. I seized the table cloth and wrapped it around me, and then made for the stairs. At the top of the upper flight I stumbled over something, and fell right down. Somehow I managed to get out, and then somebody took me over to the Waitemata Hotel. From what I could see, the fire must have started in the kitchen, which was ia the middle of the building. I saw Boorsboom throw the child out of the window. I think ib was caught by a constable. The fire had a firm hold before the Fire Brigade '■ arrived. I think it was a very dangerous building. There was a long passage leading to the staircase at the end of the build- ' ing. I lost everything but my singlet. I ; hope something will be done for ,ue>, a% I ) ■ want, a suit of clothes when I leave the ' Hospital. I had a little money, but It I' must have burned with my trousers, 1

Thomas Orrs Statement. This patient appears to have dislocated his ankle and the elbow of the left arm. Lie appears not te be in much pain, and takes matters very good-humouredly. He states : "I am an engine driver, and have been employed on railwaya, but not in Auckland. I havo lately been engaged aa a fireman. I am not married, and am about 25 years old. I lost a lot of valuables and clothes. I had both a chest and a bag of clothes, which I valued at about £30. I alto had money in the chest. I was out of work. * occupied room No. Id, right at the top of the building, and I thought that it would be better to jump out rather than got burned. I was awoke by the smoke, which nearly stifled m•. I went to the window at the i back after putting on my trousers and lowered myselt out w ith my hands. I knew it was ri a ky, but I eaid to myself, "Here goes ; I might as well jumo and be killed as btay here to be burned." " So I let go and sprang outward, giving msslf a shove from tlio house, so a d to tall clear. When 1 landed, they picked me up and took me to the V\ aitemata Hote), where I roceived i every kiadnots from Mr ]\JL-lutyre. I lost everything but my trousers and eLiglet. They had to bring me hero without any boots on my feet, and 1 have no money to buy them when I get out. 1 reckon I fell about 30 feet when 1 jumped.

Hugh MuLaughlan's Statement Iliuh McLaughlan states: -"I am 25 jeara of age, and unman ied. I have been knocking about New Zealand for tho last two years. I have an-^incle in Victoria. He is the only relative I have, that I know about, in the colonies. lam a sailor, and received my discharge yesterday from the Syren. I only went to the boardinghouso about 10 o'clock last night. I did not know anything about tho hou*e, as I had never been there befoie. I only went for tho one night. I t do not know what time it was when the lire broLeocl. I was first awakened by hearing someone shouting, "File! Firo! ' I sprang out of bed, and saw that the flames were coming through tho pecend stoiy. I had £15 under my pillow, and I collared that and a pair of irousers as Iran from the roam. So aa not lose it I carried the money and my watch in my hand. I threw the watch down as it was not up to much As I fell my hand opened, and away went all my money. I hope they'll find some of it for a iellow, as I only saved my trousers. As I loft the room the flames were coming up through the floor. I have dislocated my left aim. Theunl'ortonate men are receiving every attention from tho House Surgeon and nurse?, and considering \vhat they have passed through seem pretty comfortable. The other man died shortly after he reached the Hospital, and before he could even tell his name. He is a man betweon 40 and 50 years of age, and has been identified by the waiter at the boai ding- house as the man who occupied No. S room. He states that th© deceased had been cook at the Boycotted Butchery, in Upper Queen -street, and had come to the boarding-house either last Monday or Tuesday. He stated that he was engaged to go as cook at His Lordship's Larder on the comiDg Monday.