A GROCER'S FIRE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2310, 18 November 1914, Page 9

A GROCER'S FIRE

, INQUIRY BY A MAGISTRATE. _ Yesterday afternoon Mr. D.' G. A, Cooper, S.M., continued the inquiry into the matter of the fire' which occurred on October 3 in the premises occupied by Claude Lee Browne, 53 Taranaki Street. Browne used portion of the building as a grocery store, and the remainder as a dwelling. Inspector Hcndrey represented the police, Mr.A. Dunn appeared for Browne aid for C. Pratt and' Co. (assignees), Mr. R. Cook appeared for Mrs. Browne, and Mr. H. E. Evans apepared for the Northern Insurance Co., which held the insurance risk of the property; Violet Ma>7 Maud Browne, wife of O. L, Browne, was called as a witness. She stated that .she did not Wish to add anything to what her husband had said in his evidence, given at the previous sitting. Answering questions, she said.that she bought her piano for £20—£2 down, and £1 per month. She insured the piano (separately) in accordance with ail agreement with the. seller, and two months later the instrument was again insured through beingincluded in the furniture When the furniture was insured.

Mr. Evans: Would you be surprised to hear that Ahere was an. interval of only three day 3 between the payment of the premium on the first insurance policy (with the United Office) and the effecting of the second insurance (with the Northern Office) ? Witness: I would not deny it, because I do not remember. Thomas Lock, a tally clerk, was called by counsel for Mrs. Browne. He said that he was in the shop at 10.15 on the night of the fire, and there was then no sign of fire. James M'Konzio, also called by Mrs. Browne's solicitor, deposed that ho had been employed by 'Begg Bros, when they carried on business in the shop afterwards occupied by Browne. There was then a kerosene stain on tho floor near the counter ■ ' Police Constable Jarrold gave evidence to the effect _ that he had been on duty in. the vicinity of the shop 1 at the time of the outbreak, and had noticod tho fire. He entered the shop immediately, He called "fire," and made a noise to attract those at the back of the shop, but there was no response, and no movement. On entering the shop he noticed a strong smell of kerosone, and saw a pool of what appeared to be kerosene on the floor. The inquiry now stands adjourned till [ 11 a.m. on Thursday.