INQUIRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 449, 19 January 1909, Page 3

INQUIRY.

The adjourned inquiry touching the origin ot the fire which destroyed Mr A. W. Joue’s residence at Oroua Downs, was concluded at the Courthouse yesterday, before Mr Alf. Fraser, District Coroner. Sub-Inspector O’Donnovou conducted the case on behalf of the police. Mr R. Moore appeared for the Insurance Coy., and Mr Cooper for Mr Jones. The following evidence was called :

Henry Hartley, storekeeper, of Oroua Downs, stated that he lived about 20 chains from the scene of the fire. His attention was first called to the fire by one of his employees. Mr Meads was present at the time. They ran down to the house, but found that the fire bad too big a hold for them to make an entry. Nothing could be done, as the only tank was near the building and the fire was too fierce to allow them to approach it. Soon after Robert Thompson came along. Saw no one else there. To the Police : Did not see anyone about the place. The fire appeared to have started in the back of the building. The back walls had fallen when he arrived. Last saw Jones at about a quarter to three, on his way to the station. Did not see - him again until next day. Then told him about the fire. He seemed to be cut up about it when I told him and did not appear to know of the fire until informed. Jones occupied about 500 acres. It was fairly stocked with sheep and cattle. William Meads, farmer of Oroua Downs, gave similar evidence. Robert Spencer, of Palmerston North, stated that he represented the South British Insurance Co. His office held a policy on the building and outbuildings. In July last Jones came to him and wanted to increase the insurance on the house to ,£l5O. Gave him a temporary cover for ,£l5O until witness inspected the building. Went down two or three weeks later and inspected the house and refused the ,£l5O asked for. Jones did not say anything about insuring the furniture. Formed no estimate of value of same but from casual observation thought the house was but poorly furnished. The former policy was in the name of Mr McLennan the mortgagee,’ the second was in Mr Jones' own name. Jones said that McLennan had 110 interest iu the property. Witness had had a letter from his Head Office stating that Jones had agreed to accept ,£IOO in full settlement but afterwards refused it. Jones came to see witness about the matter, but he referred him to the Head Office.

A. W. Jones said he came to Oroua Downs in February, 1908. Previous to that date he and his family were living at Pahautanui. The house he was living in at Pahautanui was a nine-roomed one. Had lived in the house about seven years. Most of the rooms were furnished. The furniture was insured in the Commercial Union Office. Had been insured for about two years. On shifting to Oroua Downs he had brought all the furniture with him. His wife and family did not come on account of some disagreement. The Oroua Downs house contained four rooms and a scullery. On arriving at the Oroua Downs had only unpacked what furniture was required, a large quantity had not been unpacked. Remembered the day of the fire, Monday, December 21st. Had gone to Palmerston by the afternoon train on that day. Had stayed in Palmerston that night. Did not hear about the fire until about ten o’clock next day. Was told about it by Mr Sexton, of Rongotea. He had no idea how the fire occurred unless it had caught from a fire he had lit in the morning fo burn rubbish. Had burned the rubbish about 15 feet away from the house and the fire appeared to be out long before he left for Palmerston. He locked the house up before he left. No one else had been in the house that day. The furniture was insured for ,£IOO. When the insurance was effected the agent did not inspect the furniture. No one had inspected it on behalf of the Insurance Co., since he had been at Oroua Downs. All the furniture that was insured was ifi the bouse when he left, To Mr Moore ; Had brought all the furniture to Ofoua Downs because he thought his wife would return. Did not have any loan on the furniture and was not in financial difficulties at the time of the fire.

To Sub-Inspector O’Donovou: A bicycle, saw, harness and some valuable documents which were nqt insured were also destroyed by the fire,

William Dick, farmer, and builder of Himatarigi, said that he had known Mr Jones for about 12 months. Did not remember speaking to Jones about his financial position. Had not examined the house but considered it was worth about John Sydney Death, farm labourer, of Moutoa, stated that he had helped Jones unload his furniture from the truck when he arrived at Oroua Downs. The truck was almost full. Some of the furniture was unpacked and there were a number of boxes which were not unpacked. Had no idea what the boxes contained. Had seen the furniture since, when he was working with Mr Jones. Was staying in the house at that time. Nothing was shifted from the house while he was staying there. When he left, some months ago, the boxes were still packed. ’ Sweeqey said that he Went out tg Qroua Downs on Dec. 23rd to make enquiries. Inspected the scene of the fire. The house had been completely destroyed.

Noticed the frameworks of two bedsteads in the debris also the remains of a bicycle. Constable Woods said he had inspected the scene of the fire. The house stood about 50 yards from the road. Saw where the rubbish fire had been; it was about 15 feet from the back ot the house. Saw the remains of two iron bedsteads and wire mattresses, child’s cot, remains of springs of sofas, glass ware, also cooking utensils. Did not see any remains of gun. The verdict returned by the Corouer was that there was not sufficient evidence to show how the fire originated by which the house and furniture of Mr A. W. Jones was destroyed on Monday, December 21st, 1908.