HAMILTON FIRE TRAGEDY.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 April 1922, Page 5

HAMILTON FIRE TRAGEDY.

MAID'S BODY FOUND. OVERCOME BY FLAMES. By Telegraph.—Freas Association. Hamilton, April 7. . The body of Nellie Wood, the missing maid at the Hamilton hotel Are, was found yesterday a few feet from, the front kitchen fireplace. Deceased's room was over the kitchen. At the inquest last night it was shown that deceased was really a mardied woman, having married Herbert Partridge, engineer, Frankton, in December last. *» Partridge said he married Nellie Wood in December, 1921, but, owing to hotel-keepers not caring to employ married women, it was arranged tliftt she should seek employment as a single woman under her maiden name. She joined the hotel staff a month ago, and they agreed that each would work in order that they could save enough to go to Australia, where his wife had worked previously. They were on good terms, and he had seen her practically every day since she had been in Hamilton. On Sunday night witness left her about 9 o’clock and had not seen her since. A brooch (produced) found near het body was her brooch.

The coroner said he was satisfied the remains were those of Nellie Partridge. She apparently went back to her room for something and was overcome by the flames and accidentally burned to death. MR. MOORE-JONES’ DEATH. TRIBUTE FROM CORONER. Hamilton, April 4. The inquest into the aeatn of Mr. Horace Moore-Jones was resumed by Mr. H. A. Young, S.M., to-day, when further evidence of the deceased’* heroism was given by Mr. J. A. Ross. Mr. Northcroft watched the proceedings on behalf of the interested parties. James Alfred Ross, of Sydney, said that on the night of the fire he was boarding in the hotel. Ho occupied a room upstairs overlooking the kitchen. He heard the sound of falling glas% and a woman calling “Fire.” Later h® also heard the woman say, “Oh, my God!” He collected a small bag and clothing and got out of his room. As he left an attendant told him to hurry. Witness saw the deceased at the head of the stairs. Deceased went back toward his own bedroom, evidently having seen, that the fire had cut off the main exit. Witness ran round t 7 the front of the building to the lire escape. From below witness could the deceased collecting the women on. the front balcony.

“HAD TO HELP THE WOMEN.” Proceeding, witness said he could see the fire approaching the balcony, and called to the women not to jump but to go to the fire escape. When the last woman was leaving the flames were almost on to her. Witness then looked for the deceased, but could not see him. Witness went to get his things from the door, and on returning saw the deceased on the adjoining verandah in agony. When witness first saw him witness believed that Mr. Moore-Jones was looking for him. Subsequently the brigade brought the deceased down. Witness askod the deceased why he had not come down with him, and Mr. Moore-Jones said he had to help the women. He was badly burned, and said it was the end. A motor car was secured. ariß witness * accompanied the deceased to the hospital.

QUIET AND ORDERLY. To the corner, witness said the deceased could have got down the stairway at first, but he went to assist the others. Everything was carried out quietly and orderly, and if there had been any panic the women would have jumped from the balcony ana. been killed. Witness thought that the deceased went back the last time to see if anyone was left behind. Witness thought the fire escapes were inadequate to cope with a large number of people. He saw only one escape, but there might have been others. To Mr. Northcroft he said all who attempted’ to use the fire escape were able to do so, though one woman had to half crawl to the ladder in order to evade the oncoming flames. One woman did not seem to know where the fire was, although the flames were practically round her, and witness concluded that she was one o-f the women whom deceased had helped out. Deceased was apparently unable to get to the ladder, as after going back his escape was cut off. Witness could not see the deceased after the last woman o-ot down, owing to the intensity ot the flames. Witness thought that the deceased did not attempt to use the escape. A woman on the ground was calling up to another woman, and deceased may have gone back to look for

THE CORONER’S VERDICT In recording his verdict that death was due to <shock following severe burns, the coroner said the evidence showed that deceased could have gone downstairs to safety, but he heard cries of women in distress and he went back to help them. Apparently, after assisting them, he went back again to see if there were others whom he could assist. He then got eaught ui the flames and immediately had to be rescued by the firemen. Deceased was a returned soldier, and was well known throughout New Zealand. It was clear that he acted up to the highest ideals and died gloriously in assisting others to escape. His widow a short while ago had lost a child under somewhat tragic circumstances, and to her he extended bis deepest sympathy. The bodv of Mr. Moore Jones was conveyed this afternoon to Auckland for burial. The coffin, covered with the Union Jack, was carried to tte hearse bv six returned soldiers. -Hie cortege proceeded slowly to London Street, after which the coffin was placed on the train at Frankton. The streets were lined with people, who reverently uncovered as the cortege passed. ... The porter of the hotel, Mr. J. Mas_ terson, says that when he went round calling the boarders he saw Mr. O’Moore in his room just putting his coat on. He told him to get out as soon as poasible. As a matter of faet, he could have got out of his window direct on to a fire escape, but apparenlly he overlooked this means of escape', and was seeking the balcoa; when kA ™ br