INSURANCE CLAIM

Hokitika Guardian, 18 June 1931, Page 5

INSURANCE CLAIM

FOR DAMAGE BY FIRE. FURTHER EVIDENCE. (By Telegraph— Per Press Association) GISBORNE, June 18. J Evidence for the plaintiffs was con- ! tinned in the Supreme Court this morning in tlie action \\ a iron Farmers -Meat Co. and .Bank of New Zealand v. New Zealand and Eagle Star Insurance Coys., a ciaim for £77,850. Patrick Cowan,, a fireman, related the damage done by the earthquake on February 3. The works were running normally alter power was restored. Un tlie fbtii he felt a slight ’quake at 9 Pim and about 9.45 received an indication of fire which was located at the store. Cross examined, 'witness .stated theammosiin pipe was repaired on February 3. I Here had been no fire drill at tlie works. Reginald Samuel Corbett, tallow foreman, deposed after the ’quake all the bill-idlings were in good condition except the gable end of the preserving block and a chimney stack. The fire occiii-ecl ill the S.W. corner of “O.” store, dose to tlie river. People were in the habit of using the intervening space as a lovers walk, and lie had seen -fishing nets stored under a corner of the shore. Cross examined, he said the cracks in the wall of the tallow store were there when witness took over the position prior to the earthquake. It was seven minutes before the brigade arrived, They consisted of a dozen men, The fire had then a good hold, and the water was cut off soon after.

David Byfield, Supt. of the Fire Brigade detailed the- Brigade’s operations after the alarm. After crossing, the damaged bridge he and his men were taken by ears to the • works whither firemen residing on the north side of the uiver had taken a hose reel. They knocked down a door, and played water into the store. The pressure was not too good, and he asked the engineer for more, but Marsnai: said the- pumps were doing their best. A second lead was run on and reduced the pressure, which became so low that it was merely a flow from the nozzle: He then ordered the power to be cut off. The flames were gaining with great rapidity. He instructed the firemen to save what they could. Meat trucks were pushed away and other salvage work done.

The fire raged through the night. The fact that they were unable to get tlie water tender across the river was no hindrance, as he had plenty ot nose at tiie works. He was absolutely certain the origin of the fire was in “0” store and it- appeared to have started eitner on, or under the floor. Fourteen firemen were there. It was a good turp w tljffj „ju§n quickly on the spot. They received all the assistance asked for from the Company's employees',

In a day ’quake, two Wniron buildings were destroyed, one by the upsetting of a kerosene stove and the other In. Dalget.v's store by matches igniting when tipped over shelves. In another case a bottle of 1 methylated spirits fell on a stove and ignited it, but a second shake rocked a tank, and put the fire out. The organisation of the brigade had not been disturbed by the ’quake. Plaintiff was non-suited, the Magistrate 'saying that the claim, wns probably a case to be dealt with under the Arbitration clause in the policy,