THE LATE FIRE AT MOUTERE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume X, Issue 31, 5 February 1875, Page 2

THE LATE FIRE AT MOUTERE.

An enquiry was held on Saturday last, before H. A. Tarranl, Esq., J.P., acting ns coroner, upon tho fire by which the Bridge Inn, Lower Moutere, was destroyed. Mr Guy having; been chosen foreman of the jury, the following evidence was taken: — Samuel Carter: I am a publican, nnd was owner of (he Bridge Inn. On Monday, the 18th inst., about lOo'olock Bt night, I wus engaged in making ginger beer in one of the front rooms where I worked at shoeraaking. I was just Gniehing what I was about, and was going to fetch the last of the water when I tripped, and stepping forward to cave myself from falling, I struck a lighted kerosene lamp, which fell, and the kerosene became ignited and made a very large blaze. I immediately shut the door, thinking if the room were closed, the fire might go out. I hod nothing to throw over the fire. I almost directly re-opened the door, but found the flames co large that I could not go in, I then immediately began saving my children, and as soon as I had «^ot them out of bed nnd safe, I shouted as loud as I could four or five times for assistnuce, and began saving what I could of ray goods. Mr and Mrs Edelaten came to my assistance about four or five minu>C& after the fire broke out. By a juror: The keroBene burnt into a flame immediately. I had no time to see how tho kerosene ignited it was so sudden. There waß about 1^ pin's of kerosene in the lamp at the time. It might have fallen on the^floor, or on some cases close by, containing different things, such as wine, brandy, porter, &c. Louisa Carter: I am the daughter of the iust witness. About half past 10 o'clock on the night of tlm fire I went up to bed, I hud been gone about five minutes, when my father called out to me to say that Ihe kerosene lamp had upset, and the place would be all in flames in a few minutes; he told me to throw what things I could out of the window, whilst he took my brother down stairs. I went down in about five minutes, not being in bed at the time, and found the rooms full of smoke. I assisted ray father to carry what things we could out of the parlor. Directly after my father called me, he shouted for assistance as loud as he coud. Mary Ann Edelsten: I was sitting in our kitchen on the night of the fire. I heard a cooee, I ran out and saw a great smoke, I then tan td the front of the house, when I heard another jooee from Mr Carter, I then ran to the \fire, when I got there, the end of the house, northwurd, was all in a blnze, and on entering the house I found it full of smoke. I think this happened about half past 10 o'oclock. By a juror: I saw no flames when I first went out of our house, on s ly smoke, the flames burst on my view when I had got about half way to Mr Carter's. James Samuel Edelsten: I am an auctioneer, and husband of the last witness. I decline to give any evidence unless I receive 10s for being called away from my business to this inquest. The coroner stated that be could find nothing in the Acf, which provided for the payment of witnesses, and told Mr Etlelsten that the Act gave the coroner power to commit a person who refused to give evidence. On Mr Edelsten still refusing, the coroner told him he could ret in 1 . Tho coroner then addressed the jury, tolling them that he should ask them to find a verdict without Mr Edelsten's evidence, which he did uot thiuk would i brow any further light on the origin of the fire, he (Mr Edelsten) uot having beeD on the Bpot till the fire had been i aging for five minutes. The jury returned the following verdict .:—•« Thut the burning down Tit' the Bridge lon was accidental, nnd not by i be wilful or unlawful act of anyone."