FLAX FIRE CASE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1592, 27 July 1916, Page 3

FLAX FIRE CASE.

SPEIRS V. WALL.

(Continued from page 4.)

Sir John Findlay continued his address at some length, and closely reviewed the evidence of the witnesses for the plaintiff, and pointed out what were, in his opinion, weaknesses in the evidence submitted.

J. K. Jensen, bush contractor, of Dannevirke, was the first witness called for the defence. He said that the fires were lighted about 2 p.m. on February 25th. The wind at that time was north-west, as near as he could gather. It was a fairly strong breeze. The fire was lighted about 27 chains from the Tokomaru road. The three men he sent up to the south-western boundary he instructed to light at the bridge. Then I hey lighted (he lire west of the bridge along the blind creek up to Spoil’s’ boundary. They burnt up (o the Speirs-Wall boundary, and then about 40 chains along the boundary line. Witness then detailed the progress of the lire. The wind changed from the north-west to the south-west at I p.m. YESTERDAY’S SITTING.

J. K. Jensen continued his evidence yesterday, and described the precautions taken in Wall’s belt of green timber to prevent it being tired. Men were engaged underscrubbing this bush in March, and witness paid two visits per day to the work. There was no fire in the bush between March 2nd and March Dth. Witness lit a patch of fallen bush on March 9th, but after burning for two hours it went out. The wind at this time was from the east, and it was impossible for any tire to spread from, the patch of bush which he lit to the belt of bush on Wall’s boundary where the underscrubbers were. The burns on AVall’s properly in the latter end of February were prevented from spreading to Spoils’ by the protect - ing belt of green bush. On March 9th and 10th the nndurscrubbers were working near Seifert’s boundary, and then on towards Walks and Speirs’ boundary. On March 10th witness visited the green belt three times. There was no lire there then. The ground between liassett’s drain and Wall’s boundary was covered with second growth of mingi-iuingi and other shrubs, and avus not liable to catch fire. Mingi-miugi avus bad burning material unless dry. On the same land between Hassett’s drain and Wall’s boundary there, Avere about fit) dry standing trees, and with the wind favourable they Avould easily carry a top fire. The ground groAvth and the material there Avould not be easily ignited or carry a strong lire.