THE TURAKINA FIRE INQUIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 22 October 1907, Page 2

THE TURAKINA FIRE INQUIRY.

Per Tress Association. Wellington, Monday. The inquiry into the cause of the fire on the Turakina was resumed to-day. Mr. Myers, for the Collector of Customs, put in a copy of a letter from the acting manager of the New Zealand Shipping Company to the Secretary of the Marine Department stating that in the company's steamer Kaipara, which was' discharged in London, wax matches of a colonial make were found among the cargo loaded at the Bluff. Mr. Burns, manager of the New Zealand Shipping Company, said the Turakina was insured, but he could not say for how much. The consignors of flax cargo could be traced, with the exception of some of those shipping from Auckland, but he could not traee the consignors of the Auckland cargo stowed in the 'tween-decks. The company was most desirous of assisting in every way to ascertain the cause of the fire. The value of the cargo on the Turakina when the fire broke out was £IBO,OOO. Captain Bendall said he was unable to form any opinion as to how the fire originated. In reply to Mr. Myers, he said he had not seen matches taken in the hold by workmen. "There was a time," added the witness, "when men stripped off their coats and waistcoats and gave them in charge of the chip's officers." This was no longer done. When witness had been supervisor for the Underwriters' Association, lie had frequently prevented flax from going on ""rarmnrtirtt'oTi and would "sweat."'' Often several bales were rejected from one shipper or one locality. Captain Bendall did not agree with Captain Forbes, of the Turakina, that three of the bales had fired from inside. He thought they had become ignited from without. Some of the flax rescued from the Turakina was such that, had he been the authority, he would never have allowed it to be shipped. It was not properly dressed and was liable to fermentation—the forerunner of spontaneous combustion. Flax was dangerous cargo if not dry and properly prepared and properly looked after. ■ '

The inquiry was adjourned till Wed' nesday.