THE IONIC FIRE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9162, 4 June 1908, Page 4

THE IONIC FIRE.

Por Press Association. Wellington, June 2. Further evidence was taken as fol low.Seifert, President of the Flaxuiiliera’ Association, said it*was not possible for matches to find their way into the centre of a bale of flax, as matches would be taken out by the scutchers, but it was possible for matches to find their way into the outside of hales when being sent away. No matches were Allowed to be taken into the mills. Henry Archer, foreman stevedore for the Shaw, Savill Company, said everything possible was done to discourage smoking , in the holds, ‘and the introduction of matches. Oapt. James Evans, marine super-; intendent for the Bhaw, Savill Company, put in a statement showing that since 1901 no fires had occurred on. ships carrying wool from Australia, hut that fires had occurred on ships from New Zealand which car ried both wool and flax. It was clear from his deductions that the fire was due to flax alone, the wool having been kept separate. The lonic was the only case in which it had been certainly demonstrated that the fire originated among the flax. Witness would be in favour, of making it a criminal offence for men to take matches into the hold.

Oapt. BeudalJ, Lloyd’s’ surveyor, said whatever else might have been the cause of the fire it was not spontaneous combustion. This closed the evidence, and the Court adjourned until 2.15 p.m. on Friday next.