ALLEGED INCENDIARISM.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 240, 19 March 1915, Page 5

ALLEGED INCENDIARISM.

OAMARU HOTEL FIRE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Oamaru, Last Night. A magisterial inquiry opened tlte looming,- before Mr. u. Bartholome™ S.M., into the fire at the Star and Garter (Hotel early on the morning of 14th February.

The hotel, which was the property of the Pexmau Estate, was administered by the Perpetual Trustees Company, Dunedin. It was insured for £4OOO in the Standard Insurance Company, who Were represented by J. B. Nichol, of Dunedin, and the effects of Mrs. Harvey (lessee) for £IBOO in the same office. The damage is estimated at £lB2. Superintendent O'Donovan, of Dunedin, conducted the enquiry. After the minor evidence, that of Samuel Clark, Commercial traveller, who was boarding at the hotql on the night of the fire, was heard.' He alleged that Miss Telfer, a boarder in the hotel, told him on liis arrival at Oamaru on Saturday, the 13th, .that the hfttel was to be fired that night, and advised him to have his luggage ready soon. Miss Telfer told him the Harveys had been losing money, and the only, thing was to burn the hotel and collect the insurance. He also swore that in conversation with Miss Telfer after the fire she offered to make good his losses so long as he did not report what she had said to the authorities. Witness gave as his excuse for not reporting the- alleged conversation that he was so bewildered and worried.

Asked why he stopped in the house or did not mention the matter to the Ilarvevs, he said they would liave wanted an explanation as to why he left thorn after stopping there invariably on his visits to Oamaru.

lie was subjected to strict cross-exam-ination, and was in the box over three hours. Miss Telfer, whose examination did not, conclude till <1.15. absolutely denied the alleged com citation with Clark. Clark caught her up on the way home to tea on the I'iih and suggested that she should visit him in liis room. She refused, Witness detailed at length all proceedings on the night of the fire and the subsequent days. When she visited Clavk's sample rooms with a companion to choose some goods C'lavk was in it. great slaie as to his losses and as 1o why George, Harvey (son of lessee) had not attempted lo rescue them. The enquiry is nroeeeding this evening, but will ilet c,include until to-mor-row. A number of witnesses have yet to be called.