KAIKOURA WHARF FIRE

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16451, 19 February 1919, Page 5

KAIKOURA WHARF FIRE

MAGISTERIAL ENQUIRY

The Magisterial enquiry concerning the origin of the Ivaikoura wtarf fire, commenced on Monday last, A. B. Bailov, S.M., presiding. Mr Cunningham" (Christchurch) appeared for T. Stack, wharfinger, and Mr Gibson for the consignees. Mr Georgo Renner conducted tho case for tho County Council.

Martin "Walker gave evidence] relative to the inflammable properties of petrol and gasoline, stating that the former was much easier of ignition at a lower temperaturo than the latter. Ho fitate.d that he oonsidered dangerous the use of a steel hammer and filo in opening petrol tins. A filo was generally used. He was not pfepared to say whether a spark from a file would create ignition. The question was one for a choraist to decide. It was 011 the bordwr of the danger zone to use a file and hammer. He considered that whether or no a spark would ignite polrol and cause ail explosion depended on tho amount of air in the tin Ho quoted r.n instance in which a match was thrown in an open tin containing petrol without causing ignition, 'tnd yet half an hour later it ignited from a naked candlo four feet away. T. Stack, examined by Mr Ronner as to the origin of the fire, gave evidence similar to the facts reported in "fh* Press.'He stated that when the petrol ignited ho threw tho tin away from himself and sought assistance to suppress the fire. He personally ] os t twnty-eight poinds and personal property. The fact that his books were in arrears and the postings due resulted from his suffering from influenza and the pressure of work. Ho had not disregarded tly* auditors 1 instructions. Ho had made a lodgement w:tli tho bank on December 31st. The *nF e was opor. sit- the time of the fire. Ho could not say tho amount therein. Ho did not fdniit carelessness regarding th<« use ol' the petrol. Momentarily h<.'_ forgot to use the patent extinguisher. His duties wore those of harbourmaster, bookkeeper, wharf Jumper, and to generally assist. The enquiry was acljourned.