THE LATE FIRE.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 17, Issue 1017, 15 May 1871, Page 3

THE LATE FIRE.

An inquest on the late fire at Meanee was held on, Saturday last, at the Meanee Hotel, before T. Hitchings, Esq., Coroner, and a jury. The following evidence was adduced :

James Cheer, being sworn, deposed,-—I ,am a labourer residing at the Meanee. On Monday last, the fith instant, I and my wife were engaged by Mr. Maney to scrub and, otherwise clean the house. The house was empty with the exception of a .double bedstead, with fittings. We did so with hot water j we heated the water in a boiler outside the house, 13 yards distant from it. We used matai (dry) firewood ; we kept .up the fire until 3.30 p.m., where having sufficient hot water, we discontinued feeding it. We both left at 5 jp.to., having for the day, we used no fireplace in the house, nor was there any fire in the foouse that day. On leaving my wife called my attention to the fire ; it appeared to me nearly -out. I considered it safe to leave the (premises. I did not smoke, neither was there a match struck in the house that -day, for I had none. I went to bed at 8, and only heard of the fire at 2.30 a.m. I «can give no clue as to the origin of the fire. The house was quite unoccupied. It lies off any public thoroughfare by 150 yards. I took the key of the house with me. My pother (who worked for Mr. Maney) to -my house for it half-an-hour after I got home for the alleged purpose of taking <a bed away. I gave him the key. Two of my children had been with us all day, and left when we did. During the day I raked together all the rubbish about the ihouse into a heap, and burned it. This •was about 3 p.m. I saw no rubbish under ihe house.

William Cheer, being sworn, deposed : I am a laborer, residing at Meanee, brother ito last witness. On Monday last I went to jßfo. Maney's house to fill' the copper. I saw there my brother and his wife and some <of their children. I remained there until .about 5 p.m., when we «H left .together. lam in fyir, Maney's employ constantly. I vwervttfo the house a 3 part c'f my work. On corning home, I met Mr. Maney, who sent wo for a bed which was in the house. I to my brother's for the key immediately. £ returned t to the hcuse about 5'30. jit wss -not dark. I got -the bed and brought jX away. I struck no match in getting it. I locked the door. I observed no fire anywhere. I did not go to the back of the fbouse where the fere had been all day. I .noticed, when stilling the boiler at 4 p.m., •tbftt -the £re was getting low. I apprehended no danger on leaving the premises. The day was calm. At about 12 in the flight I was-at the hotel, and heard an alarm of fire. £>n looking out I saw Mr. Maney's dwelling-house in flames. I immediately went there, at which time the whole house seemed on fire. There were people at the fire before I got there, who say that the fire must have broken .out at the back.

William Badley, sworn,, deposed :-*-I am 1 2 years of age, and the son of Mr. Paul Badley of Meanee. My father lives at the Jate brewery, on the banks .of the river. On Monday last I went with my brother to the garde,ner'Sj near Mr. J. Marshall's, at afcout 4 p.m. % returned about £. I did not .come home the road way, but took a shorter way through the paddocks, by Mr. Maney's house. I passed within a few yards of Mr.' Maney's house. I passed it at the back. I J3aw a fire under the copper, and a piece of wood was blazing. I also saw sparks flying about. We then went home. On reaching home, I mentioned about the fire to my mother. We saw no one in the paddocks. The wind was calm.

Richard David Maney, sworn, deposed: 4 —l am a hotel-keeper, proprietor of the Mean.ee Hotel. I was the owner of the private dwelling-house, which was burnt on .the Bth inafc. The house was quite detached, and about 120 yards from any other. It was at the time uninhabited. Cheer and wife were employed by me on that day to clean the house and premises generally. I went to the house about 12 noon that day. J noticed a fire outside under a boiler, but not sufficiently near the house to excite any apprehension. In the evening just before dark, I sent W. Cheer for a bed to the house; and heard nothing more until the alarm of fire, which was given about 11.45. The house was insured for £7OO. The house was a large and expensive one, costing £llOO. I can in no. way account for the fire except on the supposition of Badley'3 boys statements - which I have beard fcince-

Verdict —"The jury is of opinion that the fire was accidental ; but there is nothing in the evidence hut presump* tion to show now it was occasioned." ,