Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1920. FIRE INQUIRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2189, 14 October 1920, Page 2

Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1920. FIRE INQUIRY.

THE eoronial inquiry into the cause oJ' (he tiro which deslroved the Muiiicipal Buildings, while revealing walks abroad. hieyele rides, the feeding of animals, and other minor details, failed to unearth the Img. There are one or two points, however, which have left tin* public, speculating. A glare at (he rear of the premises about two hours before, the principal outbreak. They are positive it was a (irc v but unfortunately none of them made a closer investigation. On (he other hand, the caretaker, who was at that time on the premises, saw no fire, but a spark coming from somewhere in the open burnt her cheek. Sparks were seen coining from the Rost (Alice Hotel, but the licensee said the only lire on his premises at that time was a coke lire. Sparks Irom (he Post Office Hotel tiring Ihe Council Chambers is beyond the realm of possibility; the lire originated inside the building. A woman was seen to come out of the alleywav shortly before the outbreak, at a lime when the caretaker was in a friend's house several miles away., Who was the mysterious woman, and what was the object of her visit, and why the bicycle? She was no phantom, but a real live personage vouched lor by reputable observers, who were not sufficiently inquisitive to identify her feature", Sherlock Holmes would probably attach importance t o I hat • lady s movements. Presuming the lire was the act of an incendiary, what was the motive.’ We know the ratepayers will be the losers to the extent of two or three thousand pounds, and the earelaker assesses her loss at ,CJ0(l above insurance. A few points brought out in evidence might .jnslifv the police in probing furl her into the matter, The conflagration again stresses the need of a high pressure water supply, which should stimulate Hu 1 Borough Council to make haste with the water and drainage scheme. Insurance companies should also review local risk's and make careful investigations before issuing a policy.