WAIROA INSURANCE CLAIM

Hokitika Guardian, 26 June 1931, Page 5

WAIROA INSURANCE CLAIM

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association)

GLSBORNE. June 25

When the Waii o i Meat Company claim for £77,850 from the New Zealand and Eagle Star Assurance Companies, lollowing- the destruction of the works by fire after the earthquak - in February, entered the seventh day this morning. W. R. Gummer, architect of Auckland, the principal witness for the defence continued his evidence, this being the third day in which witness' ha.s occupied the box.

Under cross-examination. Gummer admitted some of his photographs had been retouched to demonstrate the cracks but this had been done solely to explain his evidence, not with the object of emphasising the damage. Some damage may have been caused by fire, but the bulk was due to the quake and must have been apparent to anyone looking for damage. He would not say the Managing Director was not speaking the truth, when lie said he saw no damage, hut thought he was unobservant. Witness admitted the photographs might not be a fair representation of the damage immediately after, because subsequent quakes had occurred before the photographs were taken.

FURTHER EVIDENCE. GISBORNE, June 20

Further evidence- in rebuttal of the case for the defence, was given tills morning when the Supreme Court continned the hearing of the claim for £77,8-50 by Wairoa Meat Coy. against New Zealand and Eagle Star Insurance Covs.

Continuing his evidence, Edmund Anscomhe detailed the results of his examination of plaintiff’s buildings, stating that the damage revealed by photographs produced by the defence was largely caused by subsequent earthquakes on the building and previously damaged by fire.