INQUIRE INTO THE DUNEDIN FIRE.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1741, 18 September 1879, Page 2

INQUIRE INTO THE DUNEDIN FIRE.

DUNEDIN, September 17. The fire inquiry was resumed to-day. The prisoner Waters waa present, having been brought up on a Judge’s order. Inspector Mallard conducted the proceedings on behalf of the police. Mr Denniston appeared for the prisoner. The interest taken in the proceedings was shown by the crowd of persons assembled inside and outside the hotel. During the afternoon sitting the only thing sensational was a passage of arms between the Coroner and Mr Denniston. The following is a sample of what transpired Mr Denniston complained of the rules of evidence having been disregarded, and said that ho must protest on behalf of hie client, who was charged with a capital offence. The Coroner replied that if he was to be constantly interrupted, it threw him off the strain which the evidence was taking. Mr Waters was not a prisoner of this Court, and Mr Denniston was only present by courtesy, lie (the coroner) unless he chose, need not allow him to be present. Mr Denniston—“ Then you can take the risk of turning me out. lam hero to watch the interests of my client, and when evidence is improperly given I shall interfere, even though you choose to stop me, so long as I am here.” The Coroner said that he would not heinterrupted, and that unless he was allowed to proceed he should not suffer the learned counsel to remain in Court. Mr Denniston — “ So far as I am concerned I shall interfere in my client’s interests, and let the risk be thrown on you. In the meantime I insist that any evidence as a conversation should be given verbatim.” The Coroner —“ Mr Waters’ interests will not suffer in the least in the hands of the jury or myself.” Mr Denniston—“ I am not so sure of that. I am here to protect Mr Waters, and I must judge whether his interests will suffer.” The Coroner—“ I shall go a step further if I find the continued interruptions are likely to prolong this enquiry.” Mr Denniston—“ If I see justice is not being done I shall prolong this inquiry for a week, and trust to the jury to support me. If necessary, I shall continue to interrupt, letting the consequence of interference rest on your own head." The witnesses were, Robt. Robertson, Engine Keeper, who deposed to the general efficiency of the brigade on the occasion of the fire. W. E. Carmalt, Lieutenant of the brigade, who deposed that he had confined his attention to endeavoring to save life. Both of these witnesses made certain suggestions for improving the working of the brigade. Margaret Hill, an inmate of the building, who bad escaped, gave unimportant evidence. North and Scoullar’s manager deposed to having supplied a piano and furniture to the value of over £BO to Waters, of which only a small amount had been paid. A salesman at A. and F. Inglis’ deposed to selling £l3 worth of furniture to Waters for cash. Lewis Lyons, money lender, deposed that Waters came to him for a loan of £3O, which he refused to advance. . A. Lee Smith, of the Colonial Insurance Company, deposed that Waters endeavored to get an insurance of £4OO in his office. After inspecting the cafe, ho refused. W. A. Watson, of the National Insurance • Office, deposed that Waters offered for an insurance of £4OO. After inspection, ho offered £250, which waa refused. Andrew Campbell, of the Norwich Union, had declined £450 on the furniture, because his society was full on the building. He recommended Kennedy, of the Hanseatic, to give £3OO. The latter took £IOO. Since insuring, he had declined the offer of an additional £IOO. The inquiry was adjourned till the evening. The inquiry was resumed at 7 o’clock, when several witnesses were examined, but a great deal of the time was taken up in squabbling between the Coroner and Mr Denniston and Inspector Mallard. The most important evidence was that of the servant girls of Waters, who deposed that on Sunday the man Ritchie, who was very drunk, spilt some kerosene on the hearthrug of tl'.o room. They also stated that the nigger dresses, which had been found saturated with kerosene, wore not hung up on the Saturday, but were thrown on to the stage, and might therefore have been wetted by the kerosene lamps placed there bursting over them. The inquiry is still going on.