Jessica Minns - False Testimony

MISS JESSIE MINNS. 

-Whose extraordinary story 

In connection with the Grand Hotel Fire

 is the talk of Auckland just now.

'Sir George Grey Special Collections,
 Auckland Libraries,
 NZG-19010713-71-4 

Lenora, Eva, and Mina Johnston died from suffocation and burns in the fire at the Grand Hotel July 1901. The fire also claimed the life of Dora Wallace who jumped some thirty feet from the top storey to escape the fire.
Frederick Ayers was later found in the debris of the bedroom he occupied at the Hotel.

Jessica Minns, a scullery maid at the Grand Hotel was originally arrested and charged with the murders and brought to trial.

She caused a sensation when she admitted to giving false testimony, having fabricated a story “to shield three former employees, whom she saw on the night of the fire with the night porter "

Jessica had made up a story of three men burning down the Hotel and threatening 'to kill her if she gave a warning of their intention  … “ , apparently inspired by a fictional novel she had read. Jessica had even used names of characters in this book for the men involved.

The case against Jessica was ultimately dismissed, the actual cause of the blaze was not determined and those actually responsible were not found.

At the inquest, the jury considered that the Fire Brigade had acted promptly after receiving the alarm, but were of the opinion that more modern appliances with electric alarms should be provided without delay.

The jury also suggested that appropriate legislation was needed to govern safety, including and the provision fire escapes at boarding houses, theatres, and places of amusement etc. They accordingly recommended that the Minister of Justice be so advised.

The jury also recommended that the Auckland City Council be strongly censured for not enforcing fire escape bylaws.

Jessica Minns disappeared from public view until she again came to the Court’s attention some years later charged with vagrancy.
She was charged as a disorderly person lacking sufficient means of support and was apparently not amenable to the discipline of the various charitable organisations in which she had been previously placed.

She was remanded for a week whilst the Police sought a home placement for her.

Jessica died 21 June 1926

Compiled by Susan Reid - Discover Waikumete

Sources:
Image: Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, NZG-19010713-71-4

Papers Past:

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 151, 27 June 1901, Page 8      https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19010627.2.68

 Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 164, 24 July 1901, Page 5    https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19010724.2.48

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Isuue 15821, 19 January 1915, Page 5      https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19150119.2.29

Nonconformist Division C, Row 18 Plot 46 – unmarked