THE LATE FIRE.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1228, 5 July 1872, Page 2

THE LATE FIRE.

An inquiry as to the origin of the fire which took place on the morning of the 2nd inst. at Constantino's store and stables, Hospital street, was held yesterday afternoon by Mr Revell, District Coroner, at the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel. The following evidence was taken : —

I Charles Boner : lam a mariner, at present in the employment of Alexander Constantino, as a driver, and to look after the horses in, the stable. Henry Curtis was the other driver. I attended to the horses on the night of the fire about 10 minutes to 11 o'clock, when I fed and watered the horses. There were two horses and a mare in the stable that night. I used a candle, and as I had no candlestick, I stuck it in a bag of flour while feeding the horses. I did not go into the loft. The feed ras stored in the yard. The candle did not Ml. I lit it with a match at the door of the stable, but I cannot remember whether I put out the match before I threw it away ; I fancy it was out. 1 was perfectly sober at the time. I think I only struck one match, and don't remember the head flying off a match. If it did, there was nothing to ignite, as no straw was used for bedding. It was a four-stalled stable, but on that night there were three horses in the place, and one stall was filled with flour. After I had fed the horses I met Constantine on Mawhera Quay. One door of the stable was kept open for ventilation, and the other was only closed with a latch, not locked. I did not hear the alarm of fire given that night.' I reside in Mackay street, near Morris Levy's store. . 1 got up at daylight and went to feed the horses, when I met a man belonging to the boat, who told me that the stables and horses were burned. I went to the boat first, but there was no one there. There wfts a quantity of flour in the stall. I should say about four tons, which I believe belonged to Whitten. The flour was built close up to the roof of the loft. There is not at present a good feeling existing between some of the cargo-boat owners on the river and Constantine, owing, I believe, to his asking some of the other boat's crews to remain in town to attend the funeral of Butler, who was drowned the other day. There was a fight between our crew and the crew of Olsen's boat on the 2nd, owing to a disturbance as to the mooring of the boats at the steps for the taking in of cargo. It did not amount to much ; it was a general melee, and Constantine was present. I think our crew got the best of the affair. John Gordon, laborer, said : I reside in the cottage adjoining Gonstantine's premises. I heard the alarm of fire yesterday morning between 3 and 4 o'clock. I first heard the horses ' making an unusual noise, and then Constantine crying " Fire," " Murder," and on going out at the back door I saw the fire coming out near the stable door, and apparently rising from the floor. I assisted Constantine to tear the boards off the side of the stable, and then asked if he had an axe, when he said ho had just broken it — at the first blow. We lifted the big box containing the feed for the horses clear of the fire, and I then ran to the bell, but my mate, James Rew, was there before me, and started ringing as I came up. When I got back there were a good many present. I have never noticed the boatmen attending to the horses at night. At the time I. didn't not observe what was burning. I only saw the fire running up the studs, and lent Alex, a hand to tear the boards down. The fire appeared to be in the centre of the stable, on the right-hand side entering from the right-of-way in Albert street. 'By Juror : I think it would be about ten minutes from the time I heard the first alarm of fire given by Constantine until my mate rang the bell. When Iran to assist Constantine my mate went to the bell, but after working fur some time, and not hearing the bell, I ran there before I put on my boots. I went to bed about 10 o'clock that night. . William Moutray said: lam a baker, residing in Hospital street. Constantino's stables and store were adjoining mine, and inmediately behind his dwelling. The horses were very restive about 3 a. m. on the 2nd. I was going to call Constantino When I heard him in the yard, and go to the stable and speak to the horses. Immediately afterwards he went a second time, and I heard him call "Fire, fire." I asked him where the fire was, but he kept on shouting. I came to the front and asked where the fire was, when Mrs Constantine told me to look backward. I went back, and saw the fire breaking out in Constantino's stable near the door. The door was closed, and I got an axe and broke it open. Another pulled some of the weatherboards off. I then saw that my own cart and horse were in clanger, and got them round to the front. I could not Bee what was being done in Constantino's yard to get the horses out. By Jurors : It would be about fifteen minutes from the time Constantine gave the alarm until the bell rang. I think only about a minute elapsed from the time Constantine went the first and second time to the stable. I believe the horses could have been saved had assistance been at hand. I heard Constantine go down the yard towards the stable when the horses were so restive, and about a minute afterwards tho flames were several feet high. I don't think he noticed the fire when he first went to speak to the horse.", James Brimble, a publican, residing at the corner of Albert and Hospital streets, gave almost similar evidence, but nothing more was elicited as to tho cause of the fire.

As Mr Constantine could not be present to give his evidence, owing to injuries received during the fire, the inquest was adjourned until Monday, at 3 p.m., at Gilmer's Hotel.