The Fire at Wain's Hotel.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 259, 5 November 1904, Page 4

The Fire at Wain's Hotel.

A DELIBERATE ACT. (Ptr Press Association.) DUNEDIN, Nov. 3. An inquest was held to-day regarding two outbreaks of fire in Wain's Hotel last month. Both occurred in vacant bedrooms. Among the boarders at the hotel were J ohm and Ernest McKeusrie,, sheep farmers, Pomahako. The first fire was discovered by the night watchman, and was put out with little damage. About 5 a.m. E. McKcnzie called the night watchman, and told liiui there was a lire and conducted him to the room where t-hfe bed-ding was on lire. Mc[Kenzio forced some matches, cjgarette papers and tobacco into the watchman's hands, saying, "For God's sake take those things away ; they make me nervous." It was stated in evidence that McKenzie, who had been in South Africa, where he ihad contracted illness, was in the habit of taking morphia or morphine. E. McKenao was called by notice, but on the advice of his solicitor, declined to reply to questions, us he might Incriminate himself. The jury returned a verdict that Wain's Hotel was set on firoby some person or persons, but the evidence was not sufficient to show by whom.