THE FOXTION FIRE.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 18 October 1920, Page 4

THE FOXTION FIRE.

♦— GO EON TAX. INQUIRY. - At'tor hearing evidence in the recent inquiry into the cause of the lire which destroyed the Foxion Council Chambers on the evening of Octobei lire Coroner Dir A. Eraser) stated that there were several unsatisfactory incidents in connection with the outbreak. It was strange that Severn! witnesses said they had noticed ,t blaze at about 7 o’clock, when Alts Sexton, who resided with her linsban 1 and daughter cm the premises, was still at home. It was a pity that two reputable witnesses who saw a woman with a bicycle leave the building shortly before the outbreak was tbs covered could not delinitely recognise the woman. . A very unsatisfactory point in the affair was the matter o the insurance. lie could not umh stand an agent insuring property he had never seen. The usual practic ■ teas to insure property up to two-third.-of its value and in giving tt cover fo £l.lO on the piano would make it worth. £223. It was inexplicable that an in I sura nee company would insure the fnl ' nit lire in ;t four-roomed cottage lot j til.HI without an inspection being j i made, particularly when the company j had an agent in the town who eouh! j have- made an inspect ion. ’ To say thI least it showed a very unbusinesslik - 1 method of conducting insurance. lit j returned a verdict that the Council | Chambers were destroyed by lire off ; October I’., but there was not sutlk-ienl evidence to show how, or by when-, the lire was originated.