FLAX FIRE CASE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1591, 25 July 1916, Page 3

FLAX FIRE CASE.

SPEIBS V. WALL. The Shannon flax fire case was resumed at the Supreme Court, Palmerston N., yesterday morning, before Mr Justice Edwards, and a jury of twelve. Mr P. C. Skerrett, with him Mr H. Cooper, appeared for the plaintiff, C. 11. Speirs, and Sir John Findlay, with him Mr Dunn, for the defendant, P. F. Wall.

Thomas William Brown, tlaxmill manager, Waikanae, gave expert evidence, and said he made an inspection of Speirs’ swamp after the fire in March last. He estimated that the destroyed ilax would have returned the following quantities: No. 1 block 15 tons per acre, No. 2 block 25 tons per acre, and Nos. 3 and 4 blocks 35 tons. The fiax destroyed could have been milled in fourteen months, working two shifts. He thought from live to ten per cent, of the tlax roots would grow again.

Evidence wns also given l),v Messrs Connelly, A. Drummond, W. White A. J. Gibbs, E. L. Broad, 0. Monrad, J. Harper, R. Bell, George Burke, and Maslin. Samuel Mitchell, re-called, said that ho had made an examination of the standing bush on Spoil's’ property on Saturday morning. He had examined the bush from the tram-lino to the blind creek and from the creek to the Kingston road. He had observed several trees severely burned about three chains on the western side of the blind creek. That was the furthest extent he went along the boundary line. This land lay lower than Wall’s, and was of a better character. A great deal of the adjacent scrub was burnt. This scrub was lying away from Wall's property, which clearly showed that the lire and the wind came from the south-east. There were trees burnt standing between the blind creek and Hazlett’s drain. He made no effort to count these trees. At this stage the proceedings were adjourned until 10 a.m. to-day.