Ada Lippert, (1856-20/7/1894). "left a lighted candle"

FIRE AT THE SCOTIA HOTEL.

A WOMAN BURNT TO DEATH. 

A fire broke out in the Scotia Hotel, at the corner of Dundas and Leith streets, last night between nine and ten o’clock. It originated in one of the upstairs bedrooms, and spread to two adjoining bedrooms, but the alarm being speedily given by a boy named Chadwick, who was in the vicinity at the time, the fire brigade put in a prompt appearance, and prevented the flames from going further. Considerable damage was done, however, to the other rooms by smoke and water, and the total monetary loss is put down at £350 and £200 in the furniture and stock. The building was insured for £350, and the stable, which was not touched by the fire, for £50 in the Norwich Union Office. The stock was insured for £40, the furniture for £250, a piano for £60, books for £60, and billiard table and fittings for £40 — £450 in all — in the New Zealand Office.

It was known from the first that Mrs Ada Lippert, the wife of the licensee of the hotel, was in the room in which the fire started, and strenuous efforts were made to save her, but all without avail, A dense smoke filled the whole building, but, notwithstanding its presence, Messrs H, Cousins, J. Dryden, G. Davis (residents of the neighborhood), Constable Cooney, and others made attempts at rescue, only, however, to find themselves compelled to retreat before the blinding smoke and the increasing heat. The window of Mrs Lippert’s room was broken, also the window of the adjoining room, but from neither of those sources could assistance be rendered to the unfortunate woman. Everything possible was done to rescue per, but all efforts were fruitless, and when the fire had been subdued and her room was entered her body, charred so much that it was almost unrecognisable, was found lying across the bed. It is supposed that, after the servant left the room Mrs Lippert fell asleep, and that the candle in some manner ignited the furnishings. For some days past if is said that Mrs Lippert had been addicted to drink, but the testimony of her husband and the servant shows that on retiring last night she was sober. 

Mary Moloney, employed at the hotel as domestic servant for the past fortnight, states that she accompanied Mrs Lippert to her bedroom, situate on the upper storey, at nine o’clock. She remained in the room until Mrs Lippert retired to bed, and she then left the room, leaving a candle burning on a small table close to the bedside. As she was going from the room Mrs Lippert said “Good-night” to her, also remarking "You had better go to bed, too.” Miss Moloney went downstairs to the kitchen, where she remained until a quarter to ten, reading the evening paper. At that hour she went upstairs to go to her room, situate near Mrs Lippert's, and on reaching the upper storey she found the passage filled with dense smoke. She called out “Fire!" and Mr Lippert rushed upstairs, but was obliged to return, owing to the smoke that was issuing from the bedrooms. He went upstairs again, when he found that flames had broken out in his wife’s bedroom. By this time several persons had gathered outside. Two or three of them tried to effect an entrance to Mrs Lippert’s room, but were unsuccessful. 

Mr Lippert, the licensee, who bought the hotel about nine months ago, says that he was in the billiard room when the girl gave the alarm. He ran upstairs, but on account of the thick smoke could not make his way along the passage to his wife's room, and had to return to the ground floor. He saw his wife when she was going to bed at nine o’clock, and she then appeared sober. It was not unusual for her to retire at that hour. 

An inquest on the body of Mrs Lippert was held this afternoon, and had not come to a conclusion at 4.15.  -Evening Star, 21/7/1894.

THE FATAL FIRE.

THE INQUEST. 

An inquest on the body of Mrs Ada Lippert was held in the Scotia Hotel on Saturday afternoon at three o'clock before Mr Coroner Carew and a jury of six (Mr Johnston foreman). Mr Sim, instructed by Mr J. A. Hislop, appeared to watch the proceedings on behalf of Mr Lippert. 

After the jury had viewed the burnt portion of the building and had seen the body as it was found in one of the rooms after the fire, evidence was taken. 

Otto Hugo Lippert, the deceased's husband, who was very much affected while giving his evidence, said he had seen the body, which he recognised as that of his late wife. She was thirty-eight years of age, and was a native of Nelson. He last saw his wife alive at a quarter to nine on Friday night in the commercial room, just previous to her going upstairs. She asked Miss Moloney, the servant, to go upstairs with her, and afterwards he heard the two in the bedroom laughing and talking. About a quarterpast nine he heard his wife rattling a table, which she was in the habit of doing when she wanted someone to go to her. Witness sang out to the servant, and the girl went upstairs. He subsequently heard his wife and the girl laughing and talking again. A little before ten the girl gave the alarm of fire, and witness at once rushed up the stairs, but at the top he was met by thick smoke. He called out "Ada." He could not get into the passage leading to his wife's room, as the smoke was choking him, and he then ran downstairs to break the indicator on the hotel, but he found it had already been broken. He ran upstairs again. When he reached the landing he went down on his hands and knees, intending to crawl along the passage. A young man who had followed him up lit a candle near the floor, but it would not burn on account of the smoke. Witness was going to crawl along the passage when the young man, whom he did not know, pulled him back to the top of the stair. Witness had to go downstairs, as he felt that if he persevered he would be suffocated. He could not speak, and when he reached the ground floor some friends took him out of the house. On the street he saw that a ladder had been placed against his wife's bedroom window, and that a man was on it. After taking breath witness made a third attempt, but with three or four others he found it impossible to get near his wife's room. There was no flame at that time, only dense smoke. He went below to the street again, and Mr Jago took him to his house, where he remained until he had revived, when he returned to the hotel. On Friday both he and his wife were sober. In the afternoon his wife told him she would go to bed early as she intended to give the house a thorough clean out. She had been on her feet about the house all the day. Witness was not well himself, and lay down for a little while in the afternoon. 

To the Jury: There was no fireplace in the room, and there were no hangings on the bed. His own supposition as to the origin of the fire was that the candle had been placed on the little table at the side of the bed, and that his wife in turning in bed had shifted one of the pillows against the light. She was a very sound sleeper. 

To the Foreman: When he went outside he did not see his wife at the window, and if anyone said that she had been seen at both windows they must have been mistaken as far as one window was concerned, because there was a large dressing-case in front of it, which prevented anyone from seeing into the room. 

The Foreman said he had been told that the woman was seen at the two windows, and that supported his belief that she was moving about in the room, and that at last she had fallen back on the bed.

To the Coroner: His wife had been drinking occasionally lately, but on Friday she had only two small glasses of beer and half a wineglass of Australian brandy. At times she suffered from a heart trouble, and the brandy did her good. 

Mary Moloney, domestic servant, said that on leaving Mrs Lippert's room she left a lighted candle on the centre of a little table near the bed. She could not say what time elapsed before she went upstairs again, but from the evidence it appeared to be about half an hour. When she was going upstairs she found smoke, and on going two steps higher it was very thick, and she at once cried out "Fire!" and also gave the alarm on the street. When she left Mrs Lippert's room the door was open. 

To the Jury: From Mrs Lippert's appearance witness did not think she had been drinking. The candle, which was a short one, was about eighteen inches from the bed, and when witness was in the room Mrs Lippert was lying about the middle of the bed with her head on the pillow. 

Captain Mitchell, of the City Fire Brigade, said that a dressing-case in front of one of the windows prevented his men from making their way into the room, and it had at last to be knocked over. After the fire had been put out, witness, with others, found the body in the position in which the jury saw it. 

John T. Dryden, carpenter, living four doors from the hotel in Dundas street, was next called. Witness was in bed when someone knocked at the door and said that Lippert's hotel was on fire, and Mrs Lippert was in the room. Witness ran down to the hotel and into the bar. He met Mr Lippert, who was very excited. He was singing out: "Mrs Lippert is on fire! Save her, save her!" He also said she was in the room above the bar. Witness ran upstairs, and Mr Lippert followed till he came to the top landing. He directed witness to where she was. He went through the top passage and towards the bedroom. He went down on his hands and knees and crawled along the passage, which was in flames. The fire was most intense in Mrs Lippert's bedroom. He could only get about 12ft from the door, and then had to retire in a suffocating condition. He went out into the street, and vainly endeavored to get a ladder. He then went into the building and along the passage, and attempted to get into the room again, but without success. On going out again into the street he found a man placing a ladder against the window looking into Leith street. The man went up it, and the people shouted to him to break the window. He tried to make some explanation, but was not heard. Another ladder was procured, and witness on getting up found the window was raised. He could not say who put it up. The lower portion of the window was as far up as it could go. The room was perfectly dark, and filled with a very dense smoke. He could see no fire. He put his foot through the window and on to the floor. He felt round with his hand, but could feel nothing. He then wrapped his coat about his head and felt about again, but the smoke was so dense and suffocating he had to retire. The room appeared to be very large, or else he might have made a dive in. Then, again, he was afraid of a sudden combustion, as was usually the case where there was a lot of smoke, and when he was descending the ladder a large body of flame suddenly shot out of the window. If he had known where the body was he thought he could have got it, as he must have been within a few inches of it. There was no moan or motion to indicate life, and from what witness knew of smoke and gases he felt sure that deceased could not have lived in that room for a minute. Witness's conviction was that the fire originated in the passage, and not in the bedroom. There was no smell of a burning body. Constable Cooney was quickly on the scene, and rendered every assistance. 

Sergeant Geerin gave formal evidence. 

The Coroner having reviewed the evidence, the jury returned a verdict that deceased met her death by suffocation through a fire at the Scotia Hotel, but there was no evidence to show how the fire originated. The inquest was not closed until seven o'clock.  -Evening Star, 23/7/1894.

Ada Lippert lies in Dunedin's Northern Cemetery.

Hocken Library photo.

Bridget Lee, (1888-12/101890). "such a good girl"

A child two years old named Bridget Lee was admitted to the hospital on Saturday last from the neighborhood of St. Kilda suffering from a severe scalding, received through falling into a vessel containing hot water. The misadventure terminated fatally, the child dying at half-past nine o'clock last night. An inquest will probably be held.  -Evening Star, 13/10/1890.

INQUEST.

An inquest was held by Mr Coroner Carew and a jury of six (of whom Thomas Corbin was chosen foreman), this morning, at the hospital on the body of the child Bridget Lee, who died on Sunday night. 

Honora Casey gave evidence that she was the mother of the child, and lived near the Carisbrook Grounds. On Saturday last witness put on the fire an oblong five-gallon boiler to heat some water. She did not think it boiled when she took it off the fire and placed it on the floor of the kitchen. The lid was off, and there were three children in the house — deceased and two others, aged ten and seven years. Witness went out having them all in the kitchen. She was told that Bridget had been such a good girl. Witness looked round at the child, who at the same time turned to look at the girl who had been praising her and fell back into the boiler of water. Witness lifted the child out at once, and tried to get her clothes off, but could not. She then put her in a tub in which there was some cold water to cool her, and then took the clothes off.

Witness then got some baking soda, and, making a lotion of it, dipped a handkerchief in it and wrapped it round the body. She saw scalds, but should not think they were deep. After sending to Mrs Mitchell for more baking soda witness took the child to the hospital. 

Ellen Mitchell gave evidence as to seeing the child much scalded, and as to advising last witness to take it to the hospital. Mrs Casey appeared very much excited and distressed, and was apparently very fond of the child, which she looked after well, so far as witness over saw. 

Dr Copland, resident surgeon at the hospital, deposed that the child when brought in was badly scalded about the trunk and limbs, chiefly near the back and side. On Sunday night, about seven o’clock, she became much worse, and died about half-past nine. The cause of death was shock occasioned by the scalds. The child had already been attended to when brought to him. 

A verdict of “Death from accidental scalding” was returned.  -Evening Star, 14/10/1890.

Southern Cemetery, Dunedin. DCC photo.

Laura Emily Eliza McKellar, (1836-5/4/1890). "rhubarb and chalk"

 LA GRIPPE. 

SUDDEN DEATH AT DUNEDIN. 

[BY TELEGEAPH— PRESS ASSOCIATION.] DUNEDIN, this day. 

A married woman named McKellar, living at Athol Place, was found in an unconscious state at her residence on Saturday afternoon, and died within an hour after admission to the Hospital. The deceased had been suffering from influenza. 

Heavy rain fell last night. The weather is threatening to-day.   -Aukland Star, 7/4/1890.

SUDDEN DEATH.

An inquest was held this morning before the City Coroner (Mr E. H. Carew) at the hospital on the death of a married woman named Laura Emily Eliza McKellar, who had been found in an unconscious state at her residence, Athol place, on Saturday afternoon. Dr Roberts, who was called in, advised her removal to the hospital, and about two hours after her arrival there she died. The evidence called at the inquest was that of 

Cuthbert McKellar, deceased’s husband, who stated that his wife was forty-four years of age, and had been in delicate health for some twelve months, but had no particular reason at any time to call in a doctor, having a dislike to do so. On Friday she complained of suffering from influenza, and remained at home all day. When witness went to work at 9 o’clock on Saturday deceased was in bed; said she would not get up just then, but later on. Observed nothing in his wife’s health to cause alarm. Witness had never seen his wife so bad as she was on that occasion. He had often advised her to consult a doctor, and on this occasion she said if she did not feel better she would send for a doctor on Monday, On returning home at three o’clock on Saturday witness found some of the neighbors in the house, and that the doctor and a cab had been sent for. Deceased seemed much worse than in the morning, appearing to be somewhat deranged and partially unconscious. She was subsequently brought to the hospital, and witness heard of her death about an hour afterwards. He fancied it was a case of sudden collapse. 

Dr Roberts gave evidence as to having been called in on the occasion referred to at two o’clock on Saturday. He found deceased lying dressed on the sofa in a very low state and pulseless; there were several neighbors in the room. On examination he found her to be suffering from pneumonia, both lungs being inflamed. According to what he was able to gather from the neighbors deceased had received little attention, medical or otherwise, during the fortnight that he heard she had been ill. He advised her immediate removal to the hospital. She could not suddenly have become so ill as she was when he was called in. In the absence of proper attention, inflammation of the lungs was a serious disease. His opinion was that deceased was suffering from a complication of disorders resulting from some previous condition. There were no symptoms of influenza when he examined her, but she might have had it. 

Michael King stated that he used to run errands for deceased. On going to her house between ten and eleven on Saturday morning he found deceased lying on the stairs. From her position she appeared to have been coming downstairs. He spoke to her, but she did not appear to hear. He reported the matter to some neighbors, who sent him away for a doctor. He went first for Dr Martin, but finding him out called in Dr Roberts. Elizabeth Robertson deposed that she lived next door to deceased, who lived very quietly and was reserved in her manner. She had been il1 for a fortnight, during which time witness had spoken to her three or four times. Deceased had complained of diarrhoea and shivering fits, and looked very bad. On Thursday witness spoke to her about her health, and deceased said she had been taking some rhubarb and chalk, which her husband had given her. Witness advised her to send for a doctor, and she said she would ask her husband to do so if she felt no better. Deceased had never expressed to witness a dislike to send for a doctor, but had once signified her intention of getting a nurse, and expressed a dislike to go to the hospital. Witness considered that deceased should not be left alone, considering the state she was in. On Saturday morning, when deceased was found by the boy King, witness and another neighbor decided to send at once for a doctor. There was no appearance of want in the house.

Elizabeth Bishop, another neighbor, corroborated the previous witness’s evidence as to finding deceased ill on Saturday morning. 

Dr Fooks, resident surgeon at the hospital, stated that he had examined deceased just after her admission to the institution on Saturday and found her in a dying condition. He could hardly feel her pulse, and found her suffering from inflammation of both lungs, and also from pleurisy. He did not think her state could have come on suddenly. She died about an hour and three-quarters after her admission. 

This concluded the evidence. 

The Coroner expressed the opinion that it was a pity deceased had not received proper attendance. The medical evidence showed that deceased must have been in a much worse state than her husband had given the jury to understand. Had he been a man of any strength of mind he would have insisted upon sending for a doctor whether deceased wished it or no; and it was decidedly improper on his part to have left her on Saturday morning without attendance. 

The jury, without retiring, returned a verdict of death from natural causes, adding the following rider: — “The jury express their disapproval of medical assistance not being called in by the husband, and of the deceased being left without attendance of any kind on the morning of her decease.”  -Evening Star, 7/4/1890.

Laura McKellar had been fourteen years in New Zealand. She lies in Dunedin's Northern Cemetery.

Thomas Stevens, (1874-20/9/1889). "cheerful and talkative"

Dunedin, September 20. Thomas Stevens, aged 15, died at the Industrial School this morning. Deceased had been an inmate of the institution and had been licensed out, but being taken unwell, was returned to the school a few hours before he died.  -Ashburton Guardian, 20/9/1889.

INQUEST.

An inquest was held at the Industrial School yesterday afternoon, before Mr Coroner Carew and a jury of six (Mr Samuel McCracken, foreman), on the body of Thomas Stevens, who died at the institution early yesterday morning. 

Elijah Titchener, master of the Industrial School, identified the body shown to the jury as that of Thomas Stevens, who was admitted an inmate in August 1878. He was then four years of age. His mother was Mary Stevens, and she had been employed as cook at the fever hospital on the Town Belt. He remained in the school till the end of 1886, and all the time his health was fairly good; but he had a difficulty in travelling fast, being always robust and fat, and he seemed as if he could not breathe easily. He was licensed out to a bootmaker, but did not give any great satisfaction, and was returned to the school in March 1888. He was in the school for a few months, and then Mr Hough, flax-dresser, of Kaikorai Valley, took him till September 1888. Mr Joseph Graham, farmer, Pine Hill, next licensed him, and frequently wrote to witness stating that the boy was not very well, and that all the work he could be put to was minding the baby and doing work about the house. On Thursday, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, Graham brought the boy to the school. Witness asked him what was the matter, and he said he had pains in his joints and in one of his groins. He was given a warm bath and then put to bed. 

Alfred Sarney, an attendant employed at the school, said there was nothing in the boy's appearance yesterday afternoon to lead him to think that medical assistance was necessary. The boy was cheerful and talkative, and said he could not do hard work.

Clarence Mewer, living at the school, said he worked in a blacksmith's shop in Caversham. He occupied a room with Stevens on Thursday night, and when he went to bed Stevens was lying on his right side with his face away from witness' bed. He was breathing heavily, and groaned now and again. About a o'clock yesterday morning witness awoke, and saw Stevens standing by his bed. Witness asked him what was the matter, but got no answer, and Stevens turned away and staggered and fell against the wall. Witness looked for a match, but it was some time before he found one, and he then lit the gas and found that Stevens was dead. He placed a blanket over the body, put on his trousers, and then sat in the next room till a quarter to 6 yesterday morning, when Barney came. Witness could not say why he did not call someone when he saw the boy was dead. Witness had heard Mr Titchener tell the boys that if anything serious happened to any of them in the night it would be best to let him know. Witness' age was 17 years 7 months. 

Herbert Henry Harris stated that he gave Mewer a match and went into his room with him, where he saw Stevens lying on the floor. Mewer lifted up deceased's head and then put a blanket over the body. Mewer told a number of boys in the room that Stevens was dead, but none of them said anything about calling Mr Titchener.

Joseph Graham and William Arthur Fox also gave evidence. 

Dr H. Burns, medical officer of the institution, said he examined Stevens about two years ago, and the symptoms he found pointed to heart disease. He examined the body this morning, and from the appearances he would say that death resulted from asphyxia. There were no marks of violence on the body. Witness thought the cause of death was heart disease.

The jury returned a verdict to the effect that death resulted from natural causes.  -Otago Daily Times, 21/9/1889.

Thomas Stevens was buried in Dunedin's Southern Cemetery.

Margaret Leary, (1854-18/3/1889). "from the lamp"

 BURNED TO DEATH.

(BY TELEGRAPH. — PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Dunedin, this day.

A fire broke out in a three-roomed tenement in Castle-street, shortly after 11 o'clock last night, and resulted in Margaret Leary, the sole occupant, being burned to death before assistance could reach her. The place was a semi-detached cottage owned by Mr Keas. Deceased was about 35 years of age and was not of very temperate habits, and there seems little doubt she was drinking last night. On returning home she must have gone to the middle room of the three and lain down upon the bed; this room was a bedroom. Behind that was the kitchen and front room tolerably comfortably furnished as a sitting-room. The brigade extinguished the fire before any harm was done to the tenement adjoining. Deceased's half of the building was quite gutted, and on penetrating to the bedroom the firemen found the body of the woman lying on what seemed to be a quantity of straw bedding, the bedstead having given way under her body, and she was shockingly burned, the head and shoulders being completely charred up, also legs below the knees. A fragment of the lamp was found in the bedroom and it was probably by the upsetting of this that the fire occurred. The cottage was insured for £100 in the South British.  -Auckland Star, 19/3/1889.

THE FATAL FIRE IN CASTLE STREET.

INQUEST.

An inquiry into the circumstances attending the death of Margaret Leary, who was burnt to death on Monday night, in Castle street, was held at the Bowling Green Hotel yesterday afternoon, before Mr Coroner Carew and a jury of six, of whom Mr J. Sherwin was chosen foreman. 

Geo. Bawden, labourer, residing in Filleul street, deposed that he identified the body on view as that of Margaret Leary; he identified it by the jacket. He last saw deceased wearing the jacket at about a quarter to 10 o'clock on Monday night in Hanover street. A woman named Brown was there with her. Witness spoke to deceased, and she was under the influence of liquor, but quite capable of taking care of herself. Witness had known deceased for about 11 years. They came out in the Ayrshire from London together. Witness had seen her every week since. He believed her to be an unmarried woman. She was kept for the last year or so by a sailor on board the s.s. Kakanui. It was only during the last seven or eight weeks that she had taken to drink. No one lived with her. Her daughter ran away from home.

Alice Brown, residing in Scotland street, deposed that she knew the deceased, but not very intimately. She met her on Monday night at another person's house, and walked home with her, remaining in her house about 15 or 20 minutes. She left the house a little before 10 o'clock, There was nobody in the house when she left it, but the deceased, who appeared to have had a little drink, but was not incapable. When witness left the house deceased was sitting in the front room. There was a kerosene lamp in the room, but no fire. The deceased lit the lamp and wound the clock up after they went into the house. They had some beer in the house together. The deceased opened a bottle, but they did not drink all of it. They had no drink together before. The deceased was quite capable of walking home by herself. Witness had known the deceased ever since she landed in the colony, but was never intimate with her. Deceased was drinking owing to some family trouble, Witness thought that the trouble was about deceased's daughter.

Geo. Bawden, recalled, stated that ho thought the deceased was born in the county of Cork, and was about 35 years of age.

Henry Moffatt, ironmonger, residing in Leith street, deposed that he noticed the fire between halfpast 11 and 12 o'clock on Monday night. He was standing near Alexander's, the butcher, in Hanover street, when he saw some smoke. He thought it arose from some rubbish burning in the hospital grounds, but when he got to the hospital he discovered there was no fire there. He subsequently went over to Castle street, where he saw flames coming out of a house. There was no one about, and he thought the house was empty. He knocked up the people next door, and they told him that some one had been in the house that night singing. A woman then came down the right-of-wav and informed him that there was some one in the house. He then went round to the back, and was going to open the door, but he feared to do so as the place was all in flames inside, and the draught would cause them to come through. He subsequently went to the house next to the one which was burnt; it was full of smoke, but there seemed to be no one in it. He lit a match and crawled in a little way on his knees, and then came out. A fireman afterwards burst the door of the house that was burning open. There was a good bit of the house burnt before the crowd gathered, and the flames had a good hold before witness got to the house. 

Robert Robertson, superintendent of the City Fire Brigade, deposed that the alarm of fire was received at the station at about a quarter-past 11 o'clock. The brigade hastened to the scene of the fire, and the place was all in flames when they got to it. After the fire was all put out witness entered the back part of the premises, and went through the building. There were three rooms in it— a kitchen, bedroom, and a parlour, with a passage running through from the street door. On entering the bedroom witness immediately discovered the body of the deceased, lying face downwards, partly on the bed, which was level with the floor. The body was perfectly naked, the clothes having apparently been burnt away. From the position of the body, witness did not think the deceased had been in bed. After discovering the body he immediately sent for the police, into whose charge he gave it. He could not see what caused the fire, but it evidently broke out in the bedroom.

To the Foreman: Witness did not notice any remnants of a kerosene lamp or any candles.

To the Coroner: When the Fire Brigade arrived at the scene of the fire the front door was a little open, and the back door was burst open afterwards. 

Sergeant O'Neill deposed that he was on duty at the fire in Castle street on Tuesday morning, when the last witness called his attention lo a dead body lying in the centre room of the building. It was that of a female. The lower part of the body was naked, the clothing evidently having been burnt off. There was a pair of corsets and a slip-body on the body. Witness removed the body to the place where it was shown to the jury. The feet of the deceased were burnt away from the ankles, and portions of the body were considerably burnt. The left hand was burnt away and the right hand partly so. The flesh of the face was also partly burnt away. It would be impossible for a person to live with such injuries. He knew the woman Margaret Leary, but he could not recognise the body on view as hers. He knew that the woman lived in the house that was burnt. He was speaking to her about six weeks ago, and she told him that she was kept by a man on board of one of the boats, but he did not remember which.

The Coroner, in addressing the jury, said there was no reason to suspect that the fire originated from any other than an accidental cause. Possibly the woman, from the state she was in, left the lamp in an unsafe position or capsized it. It seemed pretty certain, at any rate, that the fire originated from the lamp.

The Jury returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased was burnt to death by a fire; but there was no evidence to show how the fire originated.  -Otago Daily Times, 20/3/1889.

Margaret Leary lies in Dunedin's Northern Cemetery.

Mary "Granny" Joyce, (1802-3/9/1886). "a wretched-looking hovel"

FATAL FIRES.

A WOMAN BURNED TO DEATH. 

About half-past 6 o'clock yesterday morning a fire, attended with fatal results, broke out in a wretched-looking hovel at the back of the Rising Sun Hotel, Walker street. It appears that a woman named Mrs Gibson was going down the right-of-way at the side of the hotel, when she saw smoke coming from the dwelling above referred to. She quickly gave the alarm, and a man residing near at hand, named David Williams, broke open the door and endeavoured to effect an entrance, but he was driven back by the smoke. Two other men subsequently arrived on the scene and succeeded in getting into the house and extinguishing the flames. When this had been done the dead body of the inmate of of the house was found lying on the floor close to the bed. The remains were those of an old woman 84 years of age, who was known as Granny Joyce. She had once been an inmate of the Benevolent Institution, and at the time of her death was receiving relief from the institution. She was last seen alive by a little girl named Harriet Elson, who waited upon her. This was about 7 o'clock on the evening previous to the fire. Mrs Joyce was then in bed, and the girl placed a bottle of hot water to her Feet. She subsequently left the house, leaving a small fire burning in the grate. Mrs Joyce's bed at that time, as was usually the case, was in close vicinity to the fireplace, and it is surmised that the bedclothes caught fire and suffocated the inmate of the house before she could make her escape.  -Otago Daily Times, 4/9/1886.

An inquest was held at the Resident Magistrate's Court-house, before Mr Coroner Carew and a jury of six, this morning, in reference to the death of Mary Joyce, who was burnt in Walker street yesterday. Harriet Elson (14) stated that on Thursday evening she went into the deceased's house to see her to bed. The deceased generally had a fire burning all night, but witness noticed on Thursday that it was unusually large. She wanted the deceased to give her the key of the place, so that her mother could go in later on and see that the fire was all right, but deceased objected. Her bed was quite close to the fireplace. Jane Gibson and David Williams were called to prove the occurrence of the fire, and Edward Rayner stated that he forced his way into the deceased's house, and found her body lying right across the fireplace. It was badly burnt and life was extinct. George Elson and Police-sergeant Gearin also gave evidence. The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death by suffocation."  -Evening Star, 4/9/1886.

Mary Joyce lies in Dunedin's Northern Cemetery.

Peter Gardiner Campbell, (1813-24/8/1881). "fallen among thieves"

CASTAWAYS.

On the morning of the 20th April a boat left the Taieri Mouth, having on board four men — named Peter Campbell, Archibald Campbell, Charles Cummin, and Gustave Lanbeck — for the purpose of collecting guano, on Green Island — the large barren rock lying off Saddle-Hill. This trade of guano-gathering they have pursued for some time past, making, their livelihood by selling the same to the farmers around. The crew had provisions for two days, intending to be at their homes on Wednesday night, and were provided with a tent. As they did not return at the time expected, fears for their safety were naturally awakened. On Thursday night signal-fires were seen on the island, and the relatives of the men attempted on Friday morning to pull to their assistance from Taieri Beach. The sea was, however, rolling in so heavily that their open boat could not face it. A messenger was then despatched on horseback to Boat Harbour, Brighton, in the hope of getting a boat and crew there, to pull off to the relief of the lone prisoners. In this, however, the messenger was unsuccessful, and on his return to the Taieri Mouth he rode up to Waihola, and thence got the train to town, reaching about 4 o'clock. The matter was reported to the police, and in the absence of Mr Weldon, the officer in charge, Sergeant Bevin at once had a telegram despatched to Port Chalmers to send a steamer to the relief of the unfortunate men. The tug Plucky was engaged to leave at midnight, so as to be on the spot at early dawn.

The rook on which the men are, has little herbage on it, and it must have been with difficulty enough scrub was gathered to raise a smoke sufficient to attract attention on the mainland. There can be no doubt that the derelict boat reported by Pilot Louden on Thursday as passing the Heads to the northward was the boat of the guano-seekers, as she was of considerable size, built originally for the Shag Point Coal Company and carrying about six tons. Peter Campbell is an old Otago man, having lived for many years at Taieri Ferry. He is an experienced boatman, and although now well up in years — 76 — is able to undergo a large amount of hardship. His vocation in the good old times was trading from Port Chalmers to Taieri, so that he has often passed the rock on which he is now an unwilling prisoner. The rain which fell during Friday will afford some relief, and the men being of hardy constitutions, want of food will not be so much felt by them.

The men were successfully taken off the island by the Plucky.  -Otago Daily Times, 20/5/1881.

INQUEST.

An Inquest was held this morning, in the Octagon Hotel, on the body of Peter Campbell, who was found dead in Ross's right-of-way on Tuesday morning, before Mr Hocken, district coroner, and a jury of twelve, of whom Mr James Glendening was chosen foreman. 

The Coroner said: This is the case of an old settler named Peter Campbell, well known probably to some of you, who was found dead in Ross's right-of-way. The circumstances in connection with the case were sufficiently suspicious to cause me to hold an inquest and have a post mortem examination upon the body. The result of the post-mortem examination will, I believe, show that death resulted from natural causes. I thought that it was right, however, that an inquest should he held and the matter put at rest. 

Archibald Campbell: I am a laborer living at the Taieri Mouth. The deceased was my father; he also lived at the Taieri Mouth; he was sixty-eight years of age, a native of Edinburgh, a basketmaker by trade, and a Presbyterian by religions persuasion. He had been in New Zealand about thirty-two years, having arrived here in the ship Ajax. He left home about twelve o'clock on Sunday, and stayed that night at his son-in-law's house. I saw him away by the 930 a.m. train from Henley for Dunedin on the Monday morning. He was in good health, and had been so for years past, He was to have returned on the Tuesday night. He had two cheques with him, one for L14 and one for L5 1s, and about 10s 6d in cash. He had also two silver English lover watches, one of which was mine. He was taking it to mend. He had also a pocket-book belonging to my brother with him, and a meerschaum pipe. On leaving home it was his intention to stay with Mr Henning, of Rockyside. He was not in the habit of drinking. 

John Mitchell Lomas: I am a clerk in Hogg and Button's store. Deceased came into our store between 12 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Monday to pay his account, which was L9. He paid it with a cheque for L5, and four L1 notes. He gave me another order, to be sent to his place on the following day. He came in again about four o'clock of the same afternoon to inquire about some bags. He appeared at that time to be the worse for liquor. 

Robert Henry Bailey: I am a watchmaker in Rattray street. Deceasod came into my shop about five o'clock on Monday afternoon to inquire about his son's watch, which had been left with me on the Saturday. He was under the influence of drink. He paid for the repairing of the watch, but did not take it with him. He showed me an English silver hunting lever watch, which he said was a valuable one, with the name of G. and T. Young on it. I noticed that he had three or four notes and some silver in a leather purse. 

John Jackson: I am a news agent, living in Great King street. Whilst nearing Ross's right-of-way, in the Octagon, on Monday evening, at about seven o'clock, with my papers, I observed the deceased on the ground, and thought he was intoxicated. I spoke to him, and he murmured something. I lifted him up, to get him out of the way. Two men were coming up the right-of-way at the time, and they lifted him up and placed him in the passage in a sitting position with his back against the wall. We all left then; but on my getting a few yards forward I noticed the men turn back towards the deceased. I stopped to see what they would do. They then came away and walked in the same direction as myself. They walked down Stuart street as far as Hall's dye-works. I think I could recognise the men if I saw them again.

The Coroner asked the witness to see if he could identify any of the men outside in the yard as those who lifted the deceased into the right-of-way. Witness went out, and on returning said he thought he recognised one of those outside as one of the men. He was dressed differently now, however, and he could not swear to him. 

The man identified was then called in, and gave his name as Joseph Ruff. 

John Winefield, aged nine years: I live with my parents in the Octagon. About half-past seven on Monday night I saw the deceased in a sitting position in Ross's right-of-way. He appeared to be asleep. There was another boy with me, also two men, who, whenever we went near the deceased, moved away. When we left the deceased they returned to him. I then went for a policeman, but before getting one returned to make sure that the man was still there, and found that he had gone. I asked a woman named "Irish Kate," who was coming up the right-of-way, where he had gone, and she replied that John Dicks, a colored man, living at the back, had taken him into his house. About twenty minutes past seven on the following morning my mother told me to fetch a policeman to take the deceased away, as he was in the right-of-way dead. 

Thomas Macgregor gave evidence corroborative of that given by the last witness. 

Joseph Ruff: I am a seafaring man, and live in Maclagan street. About o'clock last Monday night, whilst going down Ross's right-of-way with a friend of mine named Anderson, I saw the deceased lying drunk. We went down to the house of Dick, a man living down the right-of-way, and got him to come out with us and look at the man. He did so, and we took him down to Dick's house and laid him on the floor. I noticed that his watch was gone, and that his chain was hanging loose. We then searched him, and found only 1s 6d on him. I did not see any pocket-book or pipe on him. Dick blamed me for having brought him down, and said that he would have nothing to do with him, as he might be blamed for the loss of his watch. I said I would go and get a policeman, and Dick said "Don't; for he will think we have robbed him." Deceased was in the house about ten minutes, after which we took him and put him back again in the right-of-way. We returned to Dick's house and had some rum hot. The deceased was in the right-of-way when I passed through after having the rum. Dick came to my house on the following morning between nine and eleven, and told me that the man was dead. 

The Coroner, to witness: You will not get the jury to believe that you have acted the part of the Good Samaritan in this case. Indeed, it appears to me as though your conduct had been extremely suspicious and cruel. You profess to have acted for the man's good. 

Witness: I walked up as far as the Queen Theatre and back to look for a policeman, but could not find one. 

The Coroner: Is it usual for people to take drunken men into their homes and turn them out ten minutes afterwards? The Jury, however, will be able to form their own opinion. 

Witness, in answer to the jury, said: I saw the deceased for the first time in the right-of-way. I did not see him outside. 

John Anderson, a carpenter living at McLeod's boarding-house, gave evidence corroborative of that given by the last witness. 

John Dick (examined by Inspector Weldon): I live in Ross's right-of-way, with my wife and four children. My attention was first called to the deceased being in the right-of-way by two young men, who called at the house and told me of it. I went up with them, and we brought him down to the house and laid him on the ground. I then discovered that his watch was gone, and his chain being loose I put my band in his pocket to see what else he had, and found one shilling and two threepenny pieces. I was the only one who put a hand in the deceased's pocket whilst he was in my house. Deceased was blind drunk, and frothed at the mouth. He never spoke whilst in the house. I and the other two men had both rum and beer to drink. 

Dr De Zouche had made a post mortem examination of the deceased, and found the organs very healthy. There was, however, congestion of the brain, and a large quantity of water. He found the left lung to be affected, so as to indicate that at a past time deceased had suffered from pleurisy. There was froth coming from his mouth, which was from the stomach. There was a large quantity of food in the stomach. The other organs were perfectly healthy. He had rarely seen them so good in a man of deceased's age. The appearances were such as led to the conclusion that death had resulted from exposure to cold. The drink itself would not account for the deaths The immediate cause of death was effusion of water on the brain. There was nothing whatever to indicate that death had resulted from foul play. 

Robert Henry Bailey, recalled, said: I find that the watch in my possession was left at my shop on the Monday by the deceased. 

Detective Henderson: From inquiries I learnt that the cheque for LI4 3s was cashed on Monday forenoon at the Union Bank. I find that deceased paid L9 to Hogg and Hutton, L4 to Sabbites, L1 6s for a violin he purchased from Myers, and L1 to Bailey making a total of L1s 6d paid by him, and leaving L1 14s unaccounted for.

John Dwyer, a police constable: I was informed by the lad Winefield that a body was lying in Ross's right of-way on Monday morning. On going to the place I found the deceased, who was cold and stiff. He had on him a tobacco pouch, knife, chain, handkerchief, a watch-case, two tram tickets, and a receipt. 

Nathaniel Millar, a police constable: I was stationed on the beat in which the deceased was found on Monday night. About ten o'clock I looked down the right-of-way, and saw nothing to attract my attention. At half-past twelve I walked down it, accompanied by Constable Sullivan, but there was nothing there then. It was impossible for a man to have been in the right-of-way without my seeing him. 

John Bevin, sergeant of police, said that on Tuesday the man Dick told him that the deceased was never in his house on Monday night. Dick's wife also said that the deceased was not in the house. 

The Coroner (to the jury): Your verdict, I think, will be in accordance with the medical evidence, that the deceased died from exposure and cold. The witnesses called have not, it appears, contributed to the death of the man, though there can be little doubt that they have got the money that was on him amongst them. You will agree with me that this is a case which it was quite necessary to sift to the bottom. 

The Foreman of the Jury: The Jury have some difficulty as to how to deal with the case, and if we are to believe the police evidence it would appear that the man was not exposed, and, if so, we would not be justified in finding that his death was accelerated by exposure. 

Inspector Weldon said it would be his duty under any circumstances to ascertain if the constable had done his duty. He had one private witness, and if they would hear him they could afterwards hear Constable Sullivan and judge for themselves. 

Adam Winefield: I saw a man lying in the right-of-way on Monday night at about a quarter past eleven. as I passed through to go home. 

Cornelius Sullivan, police constable: I relieved Constable Millar at about twelve o'clock, and we together went down the right-of-way and examined it, There was no one else there at that time. 

The jury found that the deceased died from natural causes accelerated by exposure.  -Evening Post, 31/5/1880.

STEALING FROM A CORPSE. 

A Dunedin woman, named Harriet Cook, was charged at the Police Court yesterday with stealing a watch from Peter Campbell, who was found dead under such peculiar circumstances a few days ago in the right-of-way near the Octagon. Portions of the watch, the police stated, had been offered for sale at a watchmaker's shop by the accused. A remand was granted.  -Auckland Star, 30/8/1881.

SUPPOSED CLUE TO A MYSTERY.

Dunedin, Angust 29. A woman named Harriet York was charged at the Police Court to-day with stealing a watch from Peter Campbell, who was found dead under such peculiar circumstances a few days ago in a right-of-way near the Octagon. Portions of the watch, the police stated, had been offered for sale at a watchmaker's shop by the accused. A remand was granted.  -Grey River Argus, 1/9/1881.

The inquest held on the 24th upon the body of Mr Peter Campbell, who was recently found dead iv a right-of-way near the Octagon, resulted in a verdict of "death from natural causes," in accordance with the medical evidence. However, the circumstances under which the unfortunate man was found, deprived of his watch, pocket-book, and other valuables, besides the questionable admissions of several witnesses, fully bear out the coroner's remark that he had "fallen among thieves," some portion of the money of which he was possessed is also unaccounted for, and it has not been satisfactorily demonstrated as to when and for how long he was removed from the right-of-way. That he was removed is admitted by witnesses, and also that he was replaced there by them to perish of cold in a cowardly attempt to shield themselves from suspicion. The police, however, have the matter in hand, and there is no doubt that it will be thoroughly investigated.  -Otago Witness, 3/9/1881.

The Watch Robbery. Harriet York, formerly charged with stealing a watch from the man Campbell, found dead in the Octagon, a few days ago, has been discharged, as it was a case of mistaken identity. John Dannar and Annie Lockwood are now accused and hare been remanded.  -Globe, 3/9/1881.

At the Police Court this morning John Danner and Annie Lockwood, remanded from yesterday on the charge of stealing a silver watch from the person of Peter Gardiner Campbell, were discharged, the Bench remarking at the time that there was a missing link in the evidence. They cautioned the accused, and told them that it was their duty on finding anything to at once bring it to the police and not to attempt to sell it, as in this case. Messrs J. Logan and J. Griffen were the presiding Justices.  -Evening Star, 3/9/1881.

Peter Campbell lies in the Taieri Beach cemetery.