THE WAIMATE FIRE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 284, 10 December 1901, Page 2

THE WAIMATE FIRE.

[B? Telegraph— Press Association.]

. Napier, last night. , Magisterial inquiry ro the fire on \r C . rn il * ll l atc ' °P ene( i tins morning, before ‘ r . S.M., and Captains Todd and 1 leteher, nautical assessors. Captain Human, maste A tbo Wai‘date, stated that the v ' c of the fins at Wellington as stowed in Nos. 4 and 5 holds. oer ations were tauen to ensure sat . bu. the temperature was not i. He had never been in the hah: at doing so. The steamer, be said, was supplied with good hre appliances.

William Henry Pitcher, chief engineer, stated there was a first-class pump, worked by an independent donkey engine put on board ior the purpose of lire extinction. It was not connected with the main engine. The Collector of Customs pointed out that under tiie Act of IS7T there should be a liose capable of being connected with the main engine. Captain Davidson, Lloyds’ surveyor, said he considered the lias landed from tile Waimate had been very imperfectly dressed, which would make it more dangerous and more liable to spontaneous combustion. Later. The Magisterial enquiry into the tire on the Waimate was continued this afternoon.

Mr A. Calvert, Government engineer, reported that ho had inspected the vessel and found all the appliances for fire prevention and extinguishing usual in a vessel of that size, and that these were in good order, but were not sufficient to copo with such a fire as broke out on the Waimate.

The enquiry was adjourned till to morrow, when the finding will be given.