THE RECENT CONFLAGRATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2188, 12 October 1920, Page 2

THE RECENT CONFLAGRATION.

roHoxiAh inquiry. ORIGIN OF FIRE : UN SOLVED. A public inquiry into (he cause of the fire which destroyed ilia Council Chambers on the evening of Sunday, October 3rd, was commenced before Mr All'. Fraser, dstvict coroner, yesterday afternoon. Sergeant Fitzpatrick conducted the inquiry on behalf of the Police, and Mr R. Moore watched the proceedings on behalf of Mrs Sexton (librarian and custodian). , In opening the ease Sergeant Fitzpatrick said that a large quantity of evidence would be brought, forward, and when same was sifted he hoped the coroner would be in a position to aiYive at a proper conclusion as to the cause of the out- - break. He called the following wit- \ ■ nesses. — , William Frederick Trueman, Town Clerk, gave a general description oL ihe building destroyed. The librur- , buds quarters consisted of two bedrooms, silling room, kitchen, bathroom and pantry. Mrs Sexton occupied the position ot librarian and custodian. Her salary was £ls per annum, with tVee rent, tiring and liuhling. together with a commission of 25 per cent on subscribers’ sub-.-criplions in excess of (54. There were two cut ranees into the dwelling one into the kitchen and the other into the sitting room. The husband of the librarian was employed by ihe Council as a roadman at £4 per ~ week. Mrs Sexton was appointed to the position on May 18th, DlB. ,Mr Bock and Mr Woodroofe had offices in the building. On Saturday, October 2nd, witness left the office at about 1.40 p.m., ami locked the door before leaving. Next visited promises on the night of the fire, a.wiving there about a quarter to ien. At this lime the hack of the building (the residential portion) was in liames, and on entering front of building found it filled with dense ,

smoke. The custodian had access to (he whole of'the building except the ofliees occupied by Mr Bock and Mr Woodroofe. All -Mrs Sexoivs dealings with witness in connection with Council money matters were always square and above board. The insurances on the building and contents were: Council Chambers and outbuildings £ll2o (btaie Office)'; furniture and fittings £2OO (Slate); gas fittings £275 (£IOO Standard, £175 Royal Exchange); library books £l5O (New Zealand). Neither Mr or Mrs ■ Sexton bad given any notice lo leave (ho employ of the Council. Maud Isabel Sexton slated prior to the tire she with her band and daughter was living in the back portion of the Council Chamber, and occupied the position of librarian and custodian. in the afternoon of Simony, October old, was in the library writing letters, and afterwards wont out: for a bicycle ride with her daughter towards Mol nit i, returning home at dusk and had tea in the kitchen, boiling the-kettle on the gas stove. While wailing for the kettle to boil wept into the reading room to lock the outer door.- Had lea and then went with a candle lo the washhouse, and made the cow a mash ol bran and then fed the lambs and calf in the yard. Then milked the cow and look her out the back road on to the road. Spoke lo the nightwatchman at the N.Z. Shipping Co.’s at Ibis lime which would lie shortly after seven o'clock'. Witness’ daughter was with her at (lie time. Remained on the street grazing the cow for about half an hour. Brought (he cow into the yard and then went into the kitchen with the intention of going to bed but decided lo Jirst go for a hike ride down to Mrs Sapsford. Were only in the house

a few minutes. Dressed iu tlie bedroom and had'a candle. Kemembercd putting out 1 lie candle. On leaving the premises left the pas light: in (he kitchen burning' low. Lucked the back door before lekving. Had not had a coal or wood tire in witness’ part of the house for two monlhs. Lefi (he building somewhere about eight o’clock and went straight to Mrs Sapsford's which would lake about seven to ten minutes. .Somewhere about, a. (pi after lo ien left Mrs Sapsford’s and on opening the door saw that (here was a lire up town. To all appearances when witness left Hie Council Chambers everything appeared to be safe. When witness got to .Main Sired could see" dial it was the Council Chambers that was on lire. When..witness was going out of the building lo feed the lambs felt something on her face which burnt her Mein and which probably was a, spark as others bad told her since that sparks Were seen coming from' Hie chimney of the I’ost Office Hotel. She did not attach much importance to it at the time, The reading room door was left un- , locked. Saved absolutely none of ' their furniture and effects from the dwelling. The only clothing saved was what she and her ’ daughter were wearing at the time, except soiled clothes in the washhouse. The insurances on. the furniture, effects and piano was £3OO, £l5O of which was on the piaifo. Witness purchased the piano from Mrs de Kidder in-July last for £l5O. The maker’s name was Wallaner. Had occupied the position of librarian and custodian for about two and a. half years. Witness’ husband was in Palmerston North at the time of the lire. He went up by the afternoon * , train on the Saturday and returned at midday on Monday, October 4th. He went there to try. and get a butchers job. He took most of his own cdothes with-him and butcher’s knives and clothing. He. did not communicate with witness while he

was away. When witness left (lie building to go to Mrs Saps Lord's there were some young men standing in front of the building - . Witfness and -her daughter left together and did not return again until about a quarter to ten. The wind was blowing - from llie direction of the Post Office Hotel. To .the Police: If other witnesses say that they saw a glare of light in witness’ rooms hot ween (>.45 and 7 p.m. they would he making a big mistake. Also if witnesses said they saw smoke coming from the Council Chambers about 7 p.m. they wotdd be making - a mistake. If another witness said that la* saw a bright liiekering light through a window of one of witness’ rooms witness said site did not know anything about it, Witness had sent in proof of loss to the insurance company. in respect to her furniture and piano. On the proof of loss made out by witness showed an estimated Joss of over £OOO and this was a very low estimate. Witness paid .Mrs de Bidder £l5O for the piano. She did not tell Constable Owen she paid £IOO for it. Did not tell Mbs Saps ford she paid £BO for it. Didn’t think she (old her what she paid for it. Did not tell 1 lie-truth* to my husband about the piano; had told him had paid £IOO for it because ho made sneli a row about it and considered the old one was good enough. It was a second hand piano. Didn’t know how long -Mrs de Bidder had it. Mrs de Bidder told witness she paid over £IOO for it to Mi;s fringe!!. Remembered writing a letter to the Alliance Insurance Company applying for insurance on the piano and asked for £l4O to £l5O on it, and that it was a better instrument than those being offered in Palmerston North for £175. The Alliance Company gave £l5O ('over on it without inspecting it. No inspection was made of .furniture and effects when

an insurance cover was taken on them. Have paid Mrs-do Kidder the £l5O, £SO Jirst and £IOO afterwards. If was paid for before delivery was given. On the advice of the insurance adjustor witness got an acknowldgmenl of the amount .paid to Mrs de Kidder and sent same to Wellington with the proof of loss forms. Witness’ original receipt for the piano was burned in the lire. Witness had the poliey in her name as she always attended to the payment of all accounts, etc. If a witness says he saw a lady whom he was under the impression was witness leading a bicycle coming from the rear of the Council Chandler about 9.15 p.m. on (he night of the lire lie would he making a huge mistake. Didn’t expect any lady to call on her that, evening and didn’t know any visitors that she knew of that rode bicycles. To Mr Moore: Since the fire Mr Walton had told witness that spark's were Hying from the Post. Office Hotel chimney and infer that what burnt witness’ face was a spark'. When witness got home after coming from Motuili it was dusk and there was no light in the place. Witness on going into the house lit the gas and also the gas stove. Witness would be in the building about 7 p.m., unci no one came to the door whilst witness was there, ft anyone saw smoke coming from the buildsaw sum we coining from the building would expect them to come and fell witness but no one came. The bright Jliekering light referred to might have been the candle witness was using. Wincss, in making application for the insurance cover, had told the agent he could make an inspection of the furniture and piano at any time desired. Had been insured in the same office dor

■ six years. Isabel Aland Sexton, daughter of the previous witness, .12 years of age, said she and her mother went cycling in the afternoon and got home just at dusk - . Had tea and her mother Hum went out to mix the pollard for the cow. Witness went to her bedroom with a candle and got hat and coat from the wardrobe and then blew out the candle and stood it on the duchess. Put hat and coat on in Hie kitchen and then wont down to her mother where she was milking the eow, and afterwards was on Hie road with her mother while the cow was being grazed. Was away from the house about half an hour and returned with the-intention-of going to bed but her mother suggested going- up to .see Airs Snpsford. Was in her mother’s bedroom at this time. They hud a candle. She remembered her mother blowing out the caudle before they left. When they left witness noticed that the church was just coming out so that it would he about- 8 o’clock. Went direct- to Mrs Sapsford’s. Witness’ mother was with her all the time. Left Mrs Sapsford’s .somewhere about u quarter t;o ten and could then see there was a fire in the direction of Alain Street, and'found it was the Council Chambers when thy got round the Alain Street corner. William Sexton, Borough Council employee, said that he left hoxton on Saturday, October 2nd by the 2.25 p.m. train for Palmerston North, and remained there until the , < following Monday, He stayed at the Coffee Palace in Andrew Young Street. He w‘as a- butcher by trade and had gone to Palmerston North to try and getm- job at his trade. .Was successful and arranged to start the following Saturday. First heard of the iiremn Monday morning in Alain Street, Palmerston North, being told about it by Air - Doug, Christie, of Foxton. Wit- ■ ness’ first question to him was “Is my wife .and child alright'?” Returned to Foxton that morning. Took his butchery gear to Palmcrs- . ton with him and brought them back when he returned. Took them so that he could take a job immediately if there was one offering. It was

not -- necessary for him to give the Council notice as he was employed by the day. Left the whole running of the house to his wife. His wile told witness she gave, about £.IOO when she suggested getting the piano. He had found out since that she ,had paid £l5O for it. Had no idea how lhe ( lire could have occurred as he was always parieular!y careful about tires. There had been no coal or wood lire in the living portion of the building for some

time .past. Charles Hill, railway ganger, residing in Wharf Street, Foxton, slated that he was standing near., the Post Office about 7 p.m. on Sunday. October 3rd, in company with his boy aged 13 years. The boy said to witness ‘‘What is all that smoke on tlx* top of that bnildng there 1 ?” He referred to the hack portion of the Council Chambers occupied by Mr and Mrs Sexton. About the same time a lady, whom he now understood was Mrs Symons came along Wharf Street and said to witness, “‘ls that building on lire over there?” reforms - to the Council Chambers. Witness replied that he didn’t; think it was. He then walked down past the front of the Council Chambers to the library gale. Looked at (he bnilding and everything,was in darknses Then wont hack, to the Posj Ollice corner, and from there could see a light shining through the - kitchen window. It was a fairly bright light* and witness took it to be an oil lamp. When his attention was called to-the smoke, witness looked and saw smoke which he took to he from the chimney being blown down on to the roof. Witness did not go near (he building then. About a quarter to ten he heard the lire v alarm. Fie was in bed at. the time. He proceeded to the scene of the lire. Did not sec any of the Sextons there nor did he notice them later

To Mr Moore: Did not notice if smoke was coming from any other direction. A good wind was blowing at the time from an .easterly direction. The light witness saw may have been a gas light. It seemed to Hash mi the window as if someone was passing bet ween it and the window. It was about 7 o clock and the church bells were ringing.

To ihe Police: Siood walehng (he ight for about live minutes.

Florence Kathleen Symons, residing in Harbour Street, Foxton, sad that on Sunday night, October 3rd, at about 7 o’clock, witness was on her way to church and when she got near the Post Office she noticed a glare at the back of the Council Chambers. Il seemed to witness lo be a (tame and a , relleetion. Tt •.eemed to be coming from the buck of the building. Witness drew the attention of a man and a little boy lo (be (ire. Witness said: ’"There seems to be a lire over at the buck of the Council Chambers.’ He replied that lie supposed it was someone burning rubbish. \\ itness then went on lo church. Was home and in bed when the fire alarm was sounded. Did not go to the lire. To Mr Moore: The lire seemed to Hare up and then go down, it seemed lo he at the back of Hie building. It seemed lo be too high for a (ire in the yard. Witness noticed a peculiar smell.

To the Police: The smell seemed o he of soot, it was a most pc--uliar smell.

John Wyeth, night watchman for the New Zealand Shipping Company, said that he went on duly just before 7 o’eloek on Sunday, October 3rd. When passing along Harbour Sired saw what appeared to he a reflection of fire through one of the windows at the baud': ol the Council Chandlers. This would he just a. Ittle before 7. dust afterwards saw Mrs Sexton coming out with her eow. Spoke to her hut did not mention the reflection of lire. Airs Sexton and her daughter wore on the road with the eow ii.hout half an hour. Alien witness r,a\v Airs Sexton come out he thought, he had been mistaken in the refaction. Between half past nine and ten o’clock noticed smoke coming mil tif the Council Chambers übmil the same place as he had previouslv noticed the relied ion. lie then gave the alarm. To Mr Moore; Think it would he almost impossible for a fire to smoulder for two and a. half hours before breaking out, as it win a very windy night. To the Police: Did not notice a chimney 'on fire in the Post Office Hotel nor a smell of soot burning. Robert Hugh Beveridge, proprietor of the Post Office Hotel, said that at about 9.40 p.m. on October I 3rd, from something he heard he went across to the Council Chambers. On proceeding down 1 lie right-of-way on the north side of the building he discovered smoke coming fremainder the eaves of the baclf portion of the . building He noticed a dicker of light through the window near the back door. There were no signs of dame on the inside of this portion of the building at the time. Another man whom witness did not know accompanied him to the rear of the building. When witness returned to the front, of the building the Fire Brigade had arrived on the scene. There was no chimney on five ih ;■ Tness lunel that.night. . ’"here was only a coke tire burning in the hole;. Kilee i*Lorrm Woodroofe said on Sunday,.October 3rd, she passed the Council Chamber on the opposite side of the road at about 7 p.m. with two girl friends. When passing the timber, yard witness noticed a glare which appeared to he at the hack of the Council Chambers. Could not say exaetlv what it was. Wd> pacing the Council Chambers again at. about a quarter past nine and saw a woman leading a bicycle coining out of the right of way front the

Council Chamber. Couldn’t say who (he person was hut took vit to be Mrs Sox ton. , A

To Mr' Moore: Couldn’t be quite sure of tlie time but think it would be about a quarter past nine. Couldn’t; say- definitely it was Mrs Sexton but took it to be her. Saw rib sign of tire or smoke when she was passing the Council Chambers at about a quarter past nine. It was a fnilly "dark night. Just, glanced at the woman as she was in the alley-way. Was on the same side of the street. :

Ronald Charles Bright, taxi proprietor, said he passed the Council Chamber about 9.15 pan. on Sunday, October 3rd and saw a lady with a, bicycle come out of the 'alley-way at the north end of the building. She went down Main Street towards Union Street. At first sight witness said he took it to be Airs Sexton. ' If Mrs Sexton denies it was her wtness would not contradict her. He would not swear that it was her nor would ho swear that it, was not her. There was no sign of fire at the time.

At this stage the inquiry was adjourned until this morning. On resuming (he following - witnesses were examined; —

Edwin Parkin, butcher, captain of the Fire Brigade, stated that on hearing the lire alarm on Sunday, October 3rd, about 9.40 or 9.45 p.m. at once proceeded to the scene of the outbreak . / On arrival there went straight to the reading - room, the door of which be found open. Couldn’t enter the room owing to (lie dense smoke. Tried the door leading into the private house and found it was locked. 'Pushed it open and found the Haines were coming out round the ceiling. Witness and other members of the Brigade with him succeeded in extinguishing the flames in the kitchen. Then went to the library side of the building which at this lime burst out in thirties. After the lire Mr Compton called witness’ attenton to a bucket near the door that had a little tar in it. It had the appearance of hawing been I here for months. The (lames were coming ort! of the bedroom on the west before witness went round to the kitchen.

Stanley Allan Compton, postal official, said ho arrived on the scene of the (mahout 9.37 p.m., and corroborated Hie previous witness’ evidence in reference to entering (lie hi! alien, also to Ibe bucket of tar which he said contained about two (juarls of tar with a watery I’niuid top.

Allan Charles Trevelyan,' taxi proprietor, said he was in Cook Street with some friends a limit half past nine on the night of. the fire and his attention was directed to the outbreak. He immediately proceeded to I lie lire station the alarm, and afterwards towed (he engine to the scene oi the outbreak.

Walter Buck, who' occupied one oC (he front offices' of I lie Council building, staled he was last in the office previous to the lire for a minute or so on Sunday morning. About ]() o'clock'on that night was informed (hat the building was on lire and at once proceeded to the office and with assistance two safes, tables and chairs were removed. There was no insurance on his property iii (he office. A lot of valuable plans and records were lost.

George Thomas A\oodrooic, laud a°’cnl, wlio also occupied au office in Ibe Council Chamber, stated he was in the office previous to the fire about 3 o'clock on Sal unlay afternoon. Was at the lire on Sunday night, the building being in flames when he arrived. His book's, papers and desk were saved. There was no insurance on them.

William Sexton, recalled,, said that the bucket of tar referred to by winesses was placed (here two years ago last October. It was used for disinfecting purposes in Hie urinals, as disinteclauls were unprocurable from Hie gas works at Hie lime.

Sergeant Ft/.pa trick said the a novo evidence was all he proposed to mill.

Air Moore said with the permission of Hie Court Mr Sexton desired to call two <>r three witnesses', whose evidence would have some hearing on Hie case insofar Hml it would prove Hint Hie lady with Hie bicycle who was seen leaving Hie Council Chambers at 9.15 on the night of the fire was not Mrs Sexi on as it would bo shown that she was at a- friend’s house at the tune. Several people had also seen sparks living across towards Hie ( oi.ucil Chambers from a chimney in Hie Post Office Hotel on that evening hut these witnesses were not available at the moment. He called William Thomas Sapstord, butcher, stated that on the evening of Sunday, October 3rd, they had several'visitors ai Iho lio.use Including Mrs Sexton and her daughter. The 1 latter arrived at about 8 o’clock and left, again somewhere about ten o’clock. They were both there the whole time, from about 8 o’clock until they left about 10 o’clock. Airs Snpsford was home, that evening. She was unable to attend the court to-day owing to their child being ill, and Air (Oliver, his daugher and two sons were also visitors at witness’ house that evening. They live at Rangiotu. Air Harry Aden was also at the house.

To the Police Was nut positve of tlu- time but was certain it was not as late as 8 o’clock when Mrs Sexton arrived. All the other visitors were present when Mrs Sexton arrived. All the visitors left at pme-* tit-ally the same time. One of the children first drew attention to the fire. Was almost certain it was not any later than half past eight when Mrs Sexton arrived,' Had a lire himself in May last. There was no inquiry into the fire,

Henry A din', labourer, stated that on »the’-'evening of October 3rd lie was at Air Sap.-Tord’s .house. He arrived at Sapsford’s a lew minutes before; eight o’clock and left again about twenty minutes to ten. Mr Ollivor, h\s three children, and Mrs Sexton and her little girl were also there that evening. Airs Sexton and her daughter arrived about 15 to 20 minutes after witness got there. Witness was first to leave After Airs Sexton and her daughter arrived they remained there all the time witness was there. To the Police; Could not. say excel ly what lime Airs Sexton arrived, but considered it would lie 15 to 20 minutes past eight. When wilncss came out he noticed signs of a fire in the direction of- the town. Witness was a brother-in-huy of the previous witness. This concluded the evidence. Sergeant Fitzpatrick said that the agent af the Alliance Insurance Company, who insured the piano and furniture was not present, blithe did not think his evidence would assist the inquiry in any way as he had never inspected the piano or furniture. The Coroner said there were several very unsatisfactory incidents in conn.eeton with the live. It was strange that six or seven witnesses should say that they saw a glarciu the building at about 7 o’clock, a time when, according, to Airs Sexton’s own evidence, she was on the premises and it was alio a pity that two reputable witnesses who saw a woman with a bicycle leave the building shortly before the outbreak was discovered could not definitely recognise the woman. A very unsatisfactory point in (be affair was the matter ot the insurance. He could not understand an agent insuring property be bad never seen. The usual practice was to insure property up to twothirds of its value -and in 'riving a cover for .(.’l5O on the piano would make it worth £225. It was inexplicable that an insurance company would insure Iho furniture in a four roomed collage tor £.lt>o without an inspection being made, particularly when the company had an agent in the town who could have made, an inspection. To say the least it. showed a very unbusinesslike method of conducting insurance.

The verdict would be "That the Fox)on Borough Council Chambers wore destroyed by lire on October 3rd bu? there is not sutlieient evidence to show bow, or by whom, the lire was originated.”