THE FIRE AT TENUI.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4534, 27 September 1893, Page 3

THE FIRE AT TENUI.

Enquiry Before Mrl Hutchison, R.M. An enquiry into tho circumstances attonding the fire at the residouco of Mr Patriok O'Connor, of Teniii, mi held yesterday before Mi T. Hutchison, R.M., and tho following jury : Messrs J. A. Perry (foreman), Edgar Mason, It, Maunsell, U. Lrwson, J. Forman, and A, MoDongnll. Patrick O'Connor, owner of the house destioyed, gave evidence that his wife and four children wore sleep-1 ing in-'the house on tho night of, September 21th, Ho was ihe last to retire t» bed. A fire was burning in tho kitchen that night, but only embers remained when witness went to bed, and these he covered up as usual. Was quito satisfied he blew out the kerosene lamp before he went to bed, Not many minutes after retiring heaid a crackling sound, and on r;sing to ascertain ilio cause lound the roof of the kitchen alongside the chimney was on fire. The tiro appeared between the ciling and the weatherboards WitoW wile and family came to his assist nice and throw water on tho roof, but without cheoking the tire, Seeing this witness told his boys to save what they could, hut only succeeded in saving two rifle«,Booje Uauketsanda few clothes. Tho hni advanced so rapidly that everything else was lost. The house was ahotii 24 yean old and had a shingle roof. The house was insured for £l5O and tho furniture fur £SO iu the South British office. The house was worth £2OO a:id the furni-1 ture £l5O. Gould only attribute the live to a foul and defectively built ohimnoy. Annie O'Connor, wifo of provious witness, and John O'Connor gave corroborative evidence, also suggesting that the chimney was injured by a recent earthquake, A verdict to (bo effect that the fire was caused acoidently, was returned.