THE CHORAL HALL FIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 601, 13 December 1871, Page 2

THE CHORAL HALL FIRE.

The inquiry into the cause of the late fire at the Choral Society's Hall in Symonds street, was held yesterday afternoon !at the Masonic Hotel, Princes streot, before Dr Philson, Coroner. Inspector Broham conducted the inquiry, and Mr J. P. Pierce was present on behalf of the New Zealand Insurance Company. Mr Broham opened the matter by laying the facts briefly before the jury, and explained that although fires were very difficult to trace, their origin. In this individual case it was clear that the building had been wilfully set on fire, as a quantity of rags and paper saturated with kerosene was discovered burning, and removed from the spot where they had been placed; they lay scattered over two pieces of hoop iron bent spirally in a triangular fashion, and enclosing a space. These had been preserved, and were produced before the jury. He then called as witnesses, Messrs E. S. Lincoln, P. E. Cheal, Jas. Eussell, James Impey, Detective JefFery, and G. P. Pierce. They all deposed to facts previously made public, and which left no doubt that the building had been wilfully fired. Mr Pierce said that the building was insured for £2000 in the New Zealand Insurance Company. It had been completed about three months- The former Music Hall, standing in the same place, was burnt down in January last. That was insured for £1500. The origin of the fire had never been satisfactorily accounted for. The kerosine store in Stanley-street was destroyed on the previous day, and it had never been ascertained how that originated. The ship City of Auckland was on fire also about the same time in an unaccountable way. Mr Fenton complained that the police force was inadequate, and there was no security for life or property at night in Auckland. Inspector Broham said that the total number of constables available for duty was thirteen, and only three or four were employed at night, and then only in Queen-street and Hobson-street. He would recommend that the police force should be augmented by the addition of six men.

The Coroner summed up the evidence, and after a short deliberation, the jury returned a verdict, that the fire by which the Music Hall was destroyed on the morning of December 10th was an act cif wilful incendiarism by some person or persons unknown ; and in order to prevent as far as possible the commission of similar crimes, the jury recommend that the present police force be increased to the extent recommended by the Inspector. Tho proceedings then terminated.