FIRE INQUIRY

Hokitika Guardian, 23 November 1932, Page 5

FIRE INQUIRY

REP'ORTING TO THE CORONER.

IS NOT CUSTOMARY PRACTICE

{Per Press Association Copyright.\

WELLINGTON, Nov. 22

In connection with the ; Coroner’s inquiry into the Marton fire, an authoritative statement has been issued that it is not, and never has been, customary in New Zealand to report all fires to Coroners. The practice which , experience has shown to be best, is for the police first to make thorough and complete inquiries into all fires. The police brief ■is then • submitted by the local police to headquarters for directions.

Due to a large number of fires in the Dominion, resulting in serious economic loss to the community, about a year ago, the decision was arrived at bf the Government that the results of fire inquiries were to be carefully considered in Wellington by a board consisting of the Commissioner of Police, chief inspector of fire brigades, and the general manager of the State Fire office, but it would have been possible, judging from his comments, that the Coroner at Marton was unaware of the arrangement referred to. As the value of the Coronial inquiry depends on the value and completeness of the evidence obtained by the police before the inquiry is opened, the period which elapsed between the date of the fire in question, and the holding of the inquiry, seems by no means unreasonable. The interests of the parties to the fire should be subordinate to the interests of justice. Because the parties to the fire are inconvenienced, seems to be no reason for hurrying on a Coronial inquiry, before the police investigations are completed.