AN ENQUIRY

Hokitika Guardian, 8 December 1930, Page 5

AN ENQUIRY

INTO FIRE AT BLENHEIM. (By Telegraph—Press Association). BLENHEIM, December 8. In connection with the enquiry into the fire, which destroyed Redwood Bros., Hour mill at Spring Creek on the night of September 20th, Coroner E. J. Hill has delivered the following finding:—“Although the- evidence adduced in the inquiry was voluminous, if left no avenue of investigation unexplained in an endeavour to get to the bottom of the matter. There was nothing in that evidence to guide me in deciding in what manner the outbreak originated. There certainly were suspicious circumstances, which fully justified the holding of an inquest. The owner, Mrs Adam Redwood, frankly admitted that she solely, except for the Public Trustees interest, would benefit from the insurance policies, and that the key to the building was accessible only to herself and staff at her homestead, hut though that would give a possible motive and opportunity, it would not necessarily prove guilty knowledge, and there is nothing in the evidence to justify me in bringing in anything other than an open verdict. I find, therefore, that the building known as Redwood Bros, flourmill at Sprink Creek, owned by Ada Redwood, was destroyed by fire on the evening, of September 29th., there being no evidence to warrant a definite opinion as to the cause of the outbreak.”