INQUEST INTO FIRE

Hokitika Guardian, 4 March 1933, Page 5

INQUEST INTO FIRE

SUSPICION REGARDING ORIGIN; WELLINGTON INQUIRY 'HELD. (Per Press Association Copyright.) WELLINGTON, March 3 A fire which occurred in a store room occupied by th e A' r tic Fur Company, 'Dixon Street, on Sunday, December 18, was the subject of a colonial inquiry. The proprietor of the Aortic Fu r Company, Ernest G-lanville Walker, gave evidence that he. did not know whether the fire wag deliberately caused. 'He lost a key of the stor e room a week or so before the fire. He has no financial difficulties. The stock was insured for £720. The amount of damage was assessed at £llO.

The deputy superintendent of the fi-i’e brigade, said he discovered a pile of paper and rubbish in the middle of the floor and this was connected with the fire by a trail of paper and cardboard boxes. In his opinion the heap of -rubbish had been placed there deliberately and the fire was deliberately caused.

The fir e inspecting officer of the brigade said he visited the scene when the engin Pi returned, and found a smell of kerosene in a heap of, debris' -and shavings near the origin of the fire, also a tin containing kerosene. H P considered the fire was deliberately caused. A clerk of -the Standard Insurance Company said that when a proposal was made on June 6 last, Walker estimated the valup of the stock at £7BO, and expected further stock, making £IOOO Charles Henry Swifted, insurance assessor, sOd the value of th e stocK was fixed at £771, and th e damage at £llO.

Detective iMunrav said persons -holding a key of the building gave satisfactory statements. Inquiries established that Walker vflsrted Pehautnnui at- lunch on the <Ly of the