Mysterious Fire at Kawhia.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 272, 17 August 1906, Page 2

Mysterious Fire at Kawhia.

For many months past Kawhia has been free from the fire fiend, but the spell was broken on Wednesday morn ing, when a whare on Mr Howes’ section at Te Para was destroyed. The first iutimatioa the owner had was when hewor.t to where the building (which was used ns an office) formerly stood and found a mass of smoldering ashes. He reported the occurrence to Constable M'Carthy who made inquiries but could not elucidate the mystery, and he subsequently ordered au enquiry.

The enquiry was held on Friday before Mr M‘Cardle, J.P., the following jury being ompannelled—Messrs Langley (foreman), Whitcombe, Sutton, Baird, Campbe 1 aud Hosking. Tho only evidence adduc d wan that of Mr Howes who deposed that be was the owner of (he house des’royrii by fire, which he valued at £26. There was n i in urance on the building. He had not fhe sligh’est idea of how the fire originated. He last saw the house about 6 p m. on tbo 14th, aud had not had a lire in the house for about 19 months. He had bean in the habit of going into tho house about once a month. Some mmlhs ago the key wag missed, but he had never seen any evidence of tho having been used by anyone (._> sL ep ia. He did not eu peer any p rsoa would wilfully burn the huti-e do-'n. Th-re were sundry plans aud books iu t e house and m xuy things iot of any value to auyoa ■ b it himself. The jury br .ugbt hi « verdict that there was no evidence to -how how the fire originated.