THE LATE FIRE AT GRANGE FARM.

Dunstan Times, Volume 640, Issue 640, 24 July 1874, Page 2

THE LATE FIRE AT GRANGE FARM.

o On Monday last the 20th instant, the inquiry into tho cause of the late lire of stacks at Grange Farm was resumed, W. Beresford, Esq., presidingTho jury having been sworn, Mr Thomas Oliver gave evidence, the which being similar in every feature to that of Tom Osborne published in last issue, wo do not repeat it. Mr F. J. Wilson, Agent for the Victoria Fire Insurance Company, dap used th at Mr Oliver having made "a proposal of insurance to him, be, ’with Mr Oliver visited Grange Farm and inspected the property to he insured, viz.—three stacks, and which are now burnt. Mr Oliver said lie wanted them insured in the sum of COO/, which was about one third of their value, ho submitted Hie proposal [to the bead office, w here the insurance was effected with Mr OFver, who was in Dunedin. Constable Pierpoint also gave evidence, which was mainly confined to the value of the crop. Tho Coroner having summed up the evidence said—lt was his duty to direct the jury to the best ofliis ] over and ability as to what verdict should be retooled, and it was the jury’s duty to inquire simply into tho origin of the fire, and in ascertaining as to whether the fire was accidental or wilful. The evidence tends to shew that tho fire could not in all human probability have been accidental, but whatever their suspicions may bo, the linger of su-piciou cannot legally point nut any one person, therefore the verdict must be an open one, '•ut it will be as well for tho jury to bear in mind that although as far as they are concerned the matter is at an end, yet tho police have it iu hand and keep ever on the alert til! tho majesty of the law is sustained, therefore it is still in their kenpiug ; the matter of Insurance has also to be settled, but with that they have nothing to do.

After shoit consultation an open verdict was given, to which a rider was added to the effect that the young man Tom Osborne hail been guilty of negligence in not making sonic effort to extinguish the lire, instead of riding to Alexandra to telegraph the news to Mr Oliver.