THE GRAND HOTEL FIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 137, 1 July 1901, Page 2

THE GRAND HOTEL FIRE.

fcTHK INQUEST CONTINUED. (pee press association.) Auckland, June 30, At the continuation of their quest on the victims of the Grand Hotel fire, Jessie Minus, pantry-maid, said that on the night before the fire she saw three strajjge men about the premises. i later on she saw a man in the pantry fixing some powder to the range, He He had ponder and fuse, and the fuse' was fixed ;down the wall from a gas jet. The man was fixing the fuse in , the gas stove. He caught hold of witneat and threatened to shoot her if she moved or screamed. She saw two other men at the pantry door. When j the night porter went by they threat-! ened to put a knife into her if she spoke. 'Che men subsequently, after asking where Johnston, the licensee, i sVpt, went upstairs, taking the fuse and powder with them. One of them | said he Jwould have revenge on the conceded lady and the bully (Johnston). Witness was too fright-, ned to tell anyone of what she knew. She again saw the mtn on the night of the : fire and heatd confused nois'S like some one pulling things along the; floor. On the night befor- the fire one man said, " What you have seen to-night and heard you are not to ttIII anyone; if you do you will be killed." j Ooeof them also remarked " Things i will be blown sky-high to-morrow | night." Oo the night of the fire one of ■ them said, " We will get away in a boat," and another added, " If we can." She did not tell the police or anyone else because she feared the men would take her life. The inquest was adjourned.