STRATFORD FIRE INQUIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 February 1918, Page 3

STRATFORD FIRE INQUIRY.

VERDICT OF INCENDIARISM. CLARK ARRESTED AND REMANDED. All inquiry concerning the cause of tlie tire in Broadway, whereby the premises owned by A. H. Herbert, and occupied by J. B. Clark, were destroyed by lire on January 12, was held at Stratford yesterday. Sergeant Vale conducted the inquiry Mr. Quilliam represented the Northern Insurance Company, and -Mr O. Hutchen watched the proceedings on behalf of •I. B. Clark. Sergeant Dale submitted a rough plan of the premises occupied by Clark, and, after explaining the doors and surroundings, called John Benjamin Clark, auctioneer, who stated that he conducted a sale of merchandise, etc. From June 23, 1917, he purchased goods valued at .€lB Os (id from Dyer, an Auckland merchant, and other purchases made there were: From •I. R. Self £2l 8s fid. Caro Bros. £45 lis, M. Barnett £O4 15s lid, N.Z. Saddlery Co. £2 17s fid. Excepting Dyer, all payments were in cash. Other purchases were Kolm Bros. £5 10s, Hanna £3O 13s 3d, S&rgood's (could not say amount), B. 'Hart' (could not say what value), but paid^cash to Sargoo'd and Hart. Fergusspn and Green were also paid cash. Kept no banking account or books, except a pocket book. All payments were in cash. Bought goods from Light, but could not remember the amount. These were all the Auckland purchases. Was not carrying on business in Auckland to any extent at the time. Sent goods to the value of £IOOO to .Thames, Taumanmiii, To Kuiti, and other towns. Left Auckland about the end of .Tunc or early in July. Made no further'purchases from Auckland. Opened at Thames on July 15, 1917. having his wife and a man as assistants. Was there two Saturdays, taking £lO4 10s 4d. Mntaroata was next visited, and the receipts for the two days were ( £SO )2s. Te Kuiti realised £IOB 9s for two days. Was not sure if he purchased goods at Te Kuiti. His next stopping place was Tnn.nnnimii. one day, with receipts £sfi 4s. Tip was , °clling foods-by auction and privately. ' Raetihi realised £73 3s fid for two days, and Ohaknne £!>s 5s fid for a similar period Thought lie brought goods from Auckland, fresh supply, to Ohakune. At Rangataua 'ne lifted £l9 17s 2d for one day, and Feilding returns were £4O 3s 0d for one day. His stay in Wanganui was for eight days, during which his sales totalled £54 10s. Here he nought goods from Sargood. but could not remember the values, also purchased from Mneky. Logan and Co.. the -,-hics bein« £34 10s 3d, £0 IBs, £2 12s fid E3 17s, and £lO Is. These amounts included nl!_ purchases from this firm in Wanganui. At Patea he secured £2O 0s fid for one day, at Manaia £OO )ssod. While at Hawera he made purchases, payin<* cash. He was stationed tbW for ten' davs taking £134 10s Od. Could not sav Whether he added to the stock at Inglewood, where he took £3l 0s 9d for one day. Arriving at New Plymouth he made several purchases, from Macky Logan and Co. £7l 7s, ami Sargood's £llO 0s (id. Other purchases wcu-e- J Wart £94 17s, J, Averv £"•> ISs'sd Shirt Factory £l2 Os 4d, C. O. Hftwke £l4 10-- lOd. Was selling in New Plvmouth for a month and took £5Ol Os Id. He then came, on to Stratford on the Tuesday before the 12th insf. He Valued his stock at £9OO. Had seven large liampers. six cases, one cabin trunk, and some packages. Engaged a man named Danvers to do his packing. Only helped to pack one case (Avery's") and two hampers. Purchased the Rockbum stoves from J. Averv. There was nothing in these excepting a tripod and a little pot. On the 12th hist, had a sale and sold one or two stoves, but did not know how many. His takings that day were £59 15s. G aV( > this amount to his wife, having about £1 15s in his pocket. Danvers made the arrangements, securing the premises and making other arrangements. Went to the shop first on the Thursday. His sale at Stratford opened at 11 am and kept going till about 5 o'clock, bein" opened again about 7 p.m and kept open till the local people closed. Had no knowledge of any large stone, weighing about 801b, being in his luggage ° To Mr. Quilliam: Had £10(10 "stock ' when he left Auckland, and believed he •iad that amount, when he was at Thames. His stock sheets were prepared by Dyer's clerk. He assisted to take stock. Could not sav whether it h c had effected "an insurance ior £SOO in the Northern Insurance Company. Regarding the advertisement m the local paper, did not think he ever saw the advertisement of an auction sale in the estate of Laidlaw Hobbs. The name was a trade one, and he did not use it to mislead people that thoy were dealing with Laidlaw Leeds Was not ashamed of his own name. The reason for adopting that name was that at one period lie had a man of that name working for him. Fixed the value of lus stock on arriving at Stratford from his invoices and takings. Besides the goods railed he took some packages by hand. Was indebted to Dyer's for £490 and Hanna £l5O, and these were all his liabilities. Refused to answer what were his other assets besides stock. Had never been pressed for payment of money in his life. Danvers had been engaged by another auctioneer and joined witness at Wanganui. Had £1)00 stock when he left New Plymouth, made up of furs, boots, drapery, crockery, etc. Could not state approximately the Value of any line. Could not itemise .any line. Arrived at the value of Ids I stock at the time of (lie fire bv examining his invoices. His wife and Danvers were there in the evening, leaving at about 9.30. Nobody was on tlie premises When he left a little after 10 to "o to the Marble Bar. Could not sav whether he locked the door or not, but lcf* the bghts burning. Could not estimate' tlie time that elapsed between 'his return from the Marble Bar and tlie outbreak of fire. On returning hj» started to make up his returns for the day. Kept a day book in which all sales' were itemised. Would swear he had no knowledge of large stones in his eases, etc. Was Jiot aware that there were stones at the rear of the premises he occupied at New Plymouth, and did not know that a nver ran under or near tb<. premises. Would swear that there was no explosion in the shop nt Stratford while he was there. Broke the door trving to get out. Was confused and tried to get out the best way he could, Had been working quietly for the greater part of an hour when the fire developed «o suddenly as to endanger his life. Could only account for the darkening of the room by the electric light sroingout Had no warning excent by smoke." Was burnt out about five years ago at Tologa Bay whilst conducting the' same line of business. The stock was insured in the Government Insurance office for £IOOO and he was oaid £3O). .

To Mr. Hutohens: The amount of Mi Block was £994 JSs 3d. Purchases-made :ifter taking stock would augment it to £IOSO 15s. The to*il takings on tour were £1548 13s 3d, showing a profit o/ £B3l. leaving net sales amounting to £717 Us "fid, and this left stock in hand at the time of the lire at £1)33. The insurance was made out by Dyer and Co., the policy being in his name.

Wm. Danvers. agent, said he joined Clark last September at Wanganui, receiving £3 a week and hotel expenses. Was with him at Manaia, Hawera and New Plymouth. Left the latter place alone, and proceeded to Stratford, being instructed to secure premises. Saw J. H. Tlrompson and engaged the shop, subject to the approval of Mr. Clark. The shop was empty, but there was a. lot of rubbish there. The door leading to the lobby was fastened by a nail, and the back door was without a lock. Clarkarrived on the Tuesday. Before leaving New Plymouth he packed up tlie goods. There were six cases, seven hampers, and a big trunk, with three packages. Could not say what quantity of Rockburn stoves were put in the eases. The boxes were all full of goods. Did not put any stoves in the cases. Unpacked all the cases and five of the hampers. Had no interest in the business. Was not on the premises at the time of the outbreak. He was walking Up and down Broadway between the bridge and the pictures. ' Saw a light in the shop and knocked. Clark came to the door and said he would not be long. Was strolling and waiting for Clark when he heard a noise of glass breaking. Was in the centre of the road, nearly opposite the shop when he heard the alarm. Heard no explosion, but there was a fall of glass. Saw a blaze in the shop, and realised there was a fire. Mr. Clark came out and said: "My God! Look at me." Did not see anyone else in the street. On opening the shop he arranged the drapings, but Clark | re-arranged them afterwards. Could not | think that any of these drapings had anything to do with the fire. Had purchased benzine from Newton King in New Plymouth. Could not tell the name of the man ho purchased it for, where he lived, or his occupation. Was having a conversation with a man in the Criterion, when the latter asked him if he could get him a tin of benzine. He was given a £1 note, and bought a tin for 14s !)d. Could not tell the difference between benzine anji the spirit in the stoves. Took the benzine to a car standing outside the Criterion Hotel. The man driving the car took the tin and put it in his ear, and he had not seen him since. Might be able to recognise him again. Did not think it strange to have a request to purchase benzine from a stranger, and he was prepared to purchase a collar for a mare if he was asked to dp so. Was sixty years of age, and had had many requests, but could not recall another instance of purchasing benzine for a stranger.

To Mr. Hillock: Was not interested enough in the transaction to note the number of the ear.

To Mr. Quilliam: Tlio only reason wliy lie thought ho was naked to* get the benzine was that the other man in jtlie hotel might be too busy talking business to get the benzine. Ho carried the tin. (Counsel mentioned here that a benzine tin, bearing Newton King's brand, had been found in the yard of the premises occupied by Clark at Stratford.) Had known Clark for some time, first meeting him in Auckland. His duties were mainly to attend the sales. Did not know that Clark had insurance on his stock. Hud seen Clark entering stock in his books, but could not say how many books he kept. Was positive nothing could have been put in the wooden boxes without his knowledge after leaving New Plymouth. It was possible to place them in the hampers. l"sed the stoves for filling up places. It was after 10 when he knocked at the door. There was no occasion for him to go in. Clark came to the door and said he would not be long. Never saw the inside of the shop after he left that night. Was positive he heard a fall of glass, but no explosion. .T. H. Thompson, land agent, stated that the last witness arranged with him to take the premises for one week at £2 ss. There was a little rubbish on the premises. No benzine had been | stored in the premises previous to Clark coming. Thompson then described the condition of the doors. A. H. Herbert, draper, stated that he occupied the adjoining premises. There was an insurance of .£250 on the two buildings. The value, of the stock he carried was £4OOO, and his insurance .£250. Was in his own shop on the night of the fire, closing at 9 p.m. After closing he sftw there was a light in Clark's window, but could not see anything, as the window had Japanese mantles or something r'milar hanging very low, while the door was also covered. Was quite positive everything was all right in his own shop, and at 10 o'clock went through his own shop to the back, the two yards being all in one. Noticed nothing wrong, beyond the fact that the door, where a piece of glass was missing, j had been draped and covered up, Had j been in business about ten years. At the corner of his premises there was a tap for the use of both premises. On Satur-1 day afternoon he went to the tap, and noticed a large stone lying near. Had never seen the stone before. On the corner of Clark's building he saw a second stone. (The jury required to see the stones.) He had retired, and was awakened by an explosion. He rushed out, and was positive his own premises were all right. After the fire next morning he noticed a benzine tin. Was not familiar with the smell of benzine, and drew the attention of one of the firemen. Could not identify the tin (produced), but it was similar to the one lip sawin the yard. To Mr. Quilliam: Examined the stones, and found the grass showed no signs of decay. There were weeds growing under the stones. The benzine tin was only a few yards away from the premises. The explosion was a fairly large one, and shook the building. Albert .T. Davey, licutenunt of the fire brigade, stated that ho heard the alarm shortly after eleven o'clock. First sound he heard was an explosion. Ran outside, and saw a big tire blazing. Kan past the fire to the station. The only building on fire then was the one occupied by Clark. After the fire had been extinguished examined the promises with Captain Grubb, and going through the premises detected a smell of benzine, just before they came to the end of the first part of the building. Further on found a box, and inside the box was a cardboard box, and inside this was a small tin (pannikin), containing some liquid. From appearances, would say the fire originated near this box. Was satisfied the fire did not start in any other premises. Attended next morning, and made further examinations, and the benzine fumes were still strong. Saw Captain Grubb take a tin from under the rostrum. The tin was taken outside, and a little of the liquid contents poured out, and it burned. The police took charge of the tin. Captain Grubb's evidence was mainly a corroboration of Lieut. Davcy's. Sergeant Dale stated he had gathered up several articles. Some liquid he had

secured was sent to the Government analyst. Dr. McLaurin, and was stated to be benzine or motor spirit. The content* of the second tin hud not been analysed, but those who had examined it were generally of opinion it was benzine. In making a search of the front part of the premises hc had found this tin, which was lying amongst some cardbourd, paper, etc. Since finding it it had become somewhat solid. The tin was half full of liquid which wa« highly inflammable. Found evidence of two burnt crates, and there may have been more. To Mr. Quilliam: The stones were! brought to his notice by Mr. Herbert. Was quite apparent they (the stones) had not been there long. They weighed SoHbs and 33Jlbs. There were no stones like these round Stratford. Most of the stones 'icre were water-worn. After being addressed by the coroner, the jury retired, and after an interval of 00 minutes returned with a verdict that "the premises had been wilfully set on fire, but there was no evidence to show by whom." Clark was then formally charged with setting fire to the premises on January 12. On the application of Sergeant Dale, accused was remanded for a week. Mr. Hutchen applied for bail, which was fixed at self in £2OO and two sureties of £'oo each or one of £200.. lin the short time at his disposal Clark was unable to complete sureties, end was re' moved to New Plymouth.