THE DUNEDIN FIRE.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1736, 12 September 1879, Page 2

THE DUNEDIN FIRE.

[BY TELEGBiPH.] DDNEDIN, September 11. An inquiry into the circumstances attending the late fire at Boss's Buildings was held at the Octagon Hotel this afternoon before Mr J. M. Hocken, district coroner, and a jury of fifteen, of whom Mr Jas. Robin was chosen foreman. James Wilson Duncan, of the firm of Beid and Duncan, land agents and surveyors, in giving evidence said—-Our firm is the agent for Mr David Ross, who is at present in England, and who owns the block of buildings in the Octagon lately destroyed. The buildings are insured in Mr Ross's own name in the Standard office for £IOOO, in the National for £I3OO ; in the name of the Otago and Southland Investment Company in the Norwich Union for £I3OO, and in the Union for £1000; £4600 in all. His furniture and plans are also insured in the Standard for £2OO. There havo been no alterations in the insurances since Mr Boss went home. On the ground floor Mr Walters had one shop used as a cafe, the cellarage, which he used as a kitchen, and adjoining the kitchen his own private rooms. On the top storey ho had rooms numbered from 6 to 22 inclusive, which he Ist at boarding rooms. Waters entered into possession on June 14th last. The middle shop on the street line was occupied by Mr R. Wilson, who commenced his business on August 5Lh, 1878. On the top storey he had live bedrooms, whioh he took possession of in June last. On the first floor Mr Burn, architect, had room No. 1 at the time of the fire ; Nos. 2 and 3 were vacant 4, F. A. Little ; 5. O. Brown j 6. vacant; 7. Litolff, 8 and 9, Metz ; 10, vacant j 11. T. Dodson; 12 was used for Mr Ross', furniture;. 13. Claxton ; 14. Joseph Mackay ; 15 and 16, Moults's ; 17, Martin, late assistant librarian at the Atheneeum. Mr Drysdale had two cellars on the ground floor. Altogether we had thirteen tenants, exclusive of Mr Boach, who occupied Mr Boss's rooms. I produce plans of tho building. Mr Ross was the architect of it. Oa the first floor there are two through walls of brick. There is another wall and a half wall enclosing the stairs. The main stairs were protected by brick walls, and there was a continuation of one of the lower through walls. The other partitions are of lath and plaster. I think the shops had gas, but not the upper portion of the building. Andrew Turnbull Anderson, contractor for Boss' buildings, produced plans of the ground and basement floors. It was a brick building, and had two partitions through the first floor, and one half partition. Samuel H. Mirams, city surveyor, deposed The block is one building, and although there are partition walls there are no party walls. As a matter of fact these shops were divided by brick walls. So long us tho external walls are correct, no regulations that I am aware of take cognisance of internal sub-division. It was quite permissible to make these small bedrooms, and is now. As to the staircase, I think these rooms have been sub-divided since the plans were first submitted. Ido not think, as regards the number of staircases, more were required. The main staircase should havo been a littlewider. Wooden beams over the shop fronts would not be allowed. The building regulations give us no power to interfere with the internal arrangements of private buildings. The inquest was resumed at seven o'clock, when seTen witnesses were examined. One witness accused Brown, a book hawker living on the premises, with having a short timo sinoe Baid he wished the place would burn down.