FIRE ENQUIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 245, 25 March 1915, Page 4

FIRE ENQUIRY.

BOY PLAYING WITH MATCHES.

An enquiry was held at the Courthouse yesterday morning, before Mr. A: Crooke, coroner, into the circumstances surrounding the outbreak, of fire at Mr A. T. Thomson's jeweller's shop, in Devon street, on Thursday in last week. Sergeant JBowden was the police oiH ; ccr in charge of the proceedings.

The first witness called was the occupier of the shop, Albert. Theodcre Thompson, who gave evidence that his stock was valued at £2OO, and was insured for £l5O in the North Queensland Office. He was not in any, financial difficulty. He' was also selling curtain goods commission for KutJa, the owner of the premises. The insurance did not cover his furniture. At the time of the .fire lie was at Moturoa.

Elizabeth M. Thompson, wife- of tho previous witness, gave evidence that she was working in the kitchen when she noticed her little boj coming from the direction of the shop looking- pale. Suspecting that he had been up to 'mischief, she examined him. Immediately after she discovered the fire iti the shop, and tlie alarm was given. The brigade soon put the fire out. Sergeant Bowden questioned the little lad in her presence, and after being admonished to the truth lie said, "I struck matehes in Daddy's shop and threw it down, and the paper burned." Jacob Vincent Kurta, owner of the premises, gave evidence, that he had not been pushed for money. He knew nothing of Thompson's position. Tho latter had from him to sell on commission £143 20s 7d worth of goods. He lost to the extent of £BO through the fire. Thompson had told him that his business was increasing and that he was doing well.

Gordon M. Fraser and John S. S. Medley gave evidence on behalf of the insurance companies. Tlie coroner returned a verdict as follows:

"That on Thursday, 18th March, -.10.15, the shop situate in Devon street east, New Plymouth, owned by Jacob Vincent Kurta, and occupied by Albert Theodore Thompson, jeweller, was damaged by Arc, and that the fire was caused by a little boy of the said A. T. Thompson, who was playing with matches and set fire to some papers in the shop."