THE CAFE CECIL FIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 292, 19 January 1910, Page 5

THE CAFE CECIL FIRE.

i A NKG ATI YE INQUIRY . i j By Telegraph.—l'res< A <-,oei!ition. I * (.'hristchurch, Lest Night. The inquiry into tiie lire at the l'«f; Cecil Buildings early 011 the morning ot January 4th was resumed before .Mr. Bishop,' S.M.. and a jury of six. Evidence was taken at considerable length, but nothing tending to elucidate the matter was brought out. In summing U]), the Magistrate said it seemed to him a matter of great regret that so reckless and imprudent an attempt to destroy' the buildings and property of a number of people should not have linen sheeted home to some person or persons. As it was', there was not evidence of any person having sull'ieient interest in the property to burn the place down. He would direct the jury's attention to one point, namely, that the act must have been perpetrated by somebodv who had habitual access to the place. Everything pointed to that. The outside doors were untouched, and must have been entered by some person having complete access to the building. That narrowed it down to a certain extent, but beyond that it seemed impossible to go, lie therefore regretted, and the jury would regret with him, the negative nature of the inquiry. Still, such inquiries were always useful, however negative the result might be, because they showed people that any act of fire-raising would be subjected to the closest and most searching inquiry. He did not think the jury would attach very much importance to the suggestion thrown out hv Herman Lewis that ever since the building was put up attempts had been made to burn it down for business reasons. Herman Lewis: No. The Magistrate: If T didn't understand that from vou I don't understand English. It don't want to suggest anything not strictly fair or just, and if I misunderstood you I am perfectly willing to put it right. Herman Lewis: Three attempts to burn tiie building down seems very strange, doesn't it? The Magistrate: You s'nggest that local people wanted to burn down this place because it was owned and erected by people outside Christehurch. The jury then retired, and inter a short retirement returned a verdict that there had been a deliberate attempt made to burn down High Street Chambers by some person or persons unknown. A rider was added commending the practical action of Miss Meams in «o promptly giving the alarm to the fire brigade.