THE INQUEST.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 245, 10 March 1888, Page 2

THE INQUEST.

On Wednesday lust Mr H. A. Stratford, R.M., held nn inquest respecting the tire, fit tlie Courthouse. Te Aroha. The following 1 jury v-ere sworn : — Messrs A. Downes (foreman), D. J. Frnzer, J. 11. Howe, N. Cleary, M. Hotchen E. Mercer. The folfowing witnesses wore examined, Robert llairis (sworn) stated ; I am a storekeeper leading at Te Aioha. The premises burnt down on Sunday morning', March 4lh, at Te Aroha, were the property of my AM'fe Anna Marie Harris, and ■were known as my store. I left my place of business between 11.30 and 11.45, p.m. the night previous, and went to my home in another street. I knew nothing of the fire until about 4 a.m., when I was aioused by a Mr Judkina -who called n:e up. My wife was awoke by noise, by the school bell I presume, and aroused me just as Mr Jurlkin came up and called out. The building 1 was a wooden one witl shinglo roof about 24ft x 36ft, and contained a shop and four rooms. There wore no fireplaces on the premises, and I had carefully put all lights out, and locked up the piemises before I left. My dwelling house would be about 400 yards distant from the promises burnt. By the time lai rived the whole place was a mass of flames, and I could do nothing to save it The pro raises are about five years erected. I could not state the first cost of the building. I did not buy it, my wife exchanged another propel ty valued at £100 for it. I value the goods dostroyed at from £275 to £300. The house was insured for £100 in the Victoiia office. The goods for £150 in the New Zealand office. I have no idea whatever how the fire could have originated. I employed a boy in connection with the store, but ho left on the night in question about 9 o'clock. I kept a kerosene cooking stove for use. In reply to Sergeant Emerson. — When I arrived at the scene of the fire the front was standing, but the flames were fiercest at the back part. A crent number of persons had congregated before I arrived. About £8 or £10 worth of stuff was saved. The kerosene stove was kept in a room at the back. I last used the cooking stove about seven or eight o'clock that night. lam unable to say exactly at what time I put out the light, but believe it was put out. I am positive all the other lights wero out. 1 have not takirn stack since I commenced business in the premises referred to about twelve months ago. No creditors have been pushing* me 1 owe about £300 to merchants.

In reply to Mr John I\eid, Auckland, (Agent for the Victoria insurance Co.; — Since the premises were purchased by my wife about £38 has been expended on them in improvements. In reply to bin Worship.— t estimate my loss on the stock at from £140 to £150, including what has been saved. William Dibsell (sworn).— l am a baker and general storekeeper, residing at Te Aroha, in premises next to those burnt down. I was awoke bv the roar of fire about 3.30 am., on March 4th. Saw it was in Harris' stoic, and raised the alarm as quickly as I could, diessed and looked after my owr premises to prevent them catching' fire. J In reply to Sergeant Emerson.— When I first saw the lire the flames were very high, and I do not think it was possible anything could have been done to save the place. The walls were, I believe, all standing when 1 first saw the fire, and the flames out through the loof. William Bradley (sworn). --On last Sunday morning very early, my brother Langley was obliged to get out of bed on account of his nose bleeding, he then saw the fire and woke me up and we went to the door and found it was Harris' store. We proceeded to arouse Mi Judidns, who Jived close by, and met him coming out of his door. My brother awoke previously also, abouthalfpaf-ttwelvcjwithhisnoso bleeding' and we wentinlo afiont bedroom foratime! I then saw two men sitting down for some time on the opposite side of tho stieet, close to Mr Byrne's fence. Thomas Payne Jndkina (sworn).— l am a bootmaker, residing at Te Aroha. and was awoke on last Sunday morning very early by my wife telling me there *vas a fire. I met t l^ two young Bradleys but saw no one ci.se .\oei t. Th^re was'a great blaze then, and I ran at once to arouse Air I Fan is. The fire appeared to be chiefly at the back. When J arrived at Mr Ilairis' and before I reached the door, having only called out om-p, Mrs Harris opened the door and haid " he's coming," and I .saw Mr Han is getting on his clothes. I at once ictuined, and found about a dozen people assembled by that time, getting goods out, and water in buckets, etc. In reply to Sergeant ICmcrson.— When I aroused Mr Harris, [ hoard him say "Oh my God," but could not say if the woids wore addressed to me or to his wife. The school bell rang out before I i cached Mr Hams' Mr W. G. King, fiuiterer, was also examined, having boon eaily on the scone of the fire, but his evidence threw no fresh light on the matter. The juiy returned an open veul'ct, there being no evidence to show how the fire originated.