FIRE ON IONIC.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 207, 26 May 1908, Page 9

FIRE ON IONIC.

Sir, —Do you not think it injudicious, in the light of tlic evidence taken in connection with "the fire oh tho s.s. Turakina, that whenever a firo occurs on a sea-going vessel carrying flax, the editorial head-line ing tho lire always associates the causo with tho presenco of flax, as witness both of the reports of your morning contemporary and yourselves relating to this last fire. I venture to submit that such statements will lead to tho injury of tho hemp industry, it is well-known amongst hemp manufacturers that sporttaneocs .'combustion in hemp has never been proved while in green skins and hides it is the commonest knowledge that it is capable of proof in respect thereof. 1 am prepared to givo yon tho name of a' firm dealing in skins and hides, whoso manager will corroborate, my statement. ... This, gentleman informed liie.at tho time of the 'i'urakina firo inquiry that, ho had often to take down stacks of skins and hides in their stores which, had become heated to a dangerous degree. I write this in the interest-of the liomp industry, and for the purpose of again. emphasising, as I. think the Turakina fire" inquiry commission did, that hemp is not subject to spontaneous combustion,—l am; etc., ■ ti .MILL OWNER.