THE LATE STACK-BURNING NEAR CAMBRIDGE

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1550, 10 June 1882, Page 3

THE LATE STACK-BURNING NEAR CAMBRIDGE

The Inquest. An inquest was held into the circumstances surrounding the burning of Mr Ryans stacks, at Cambridge, on the morning of the 25th May last. Mr Parr was elected foreman of the jury. The Coroner having informed the jury of the nature of the ca&e which they had been summoned to consider, all proceeded to view the scene of the fire. Mr Dyer watched the proceedings on behalf of the National Insurance Company, and Constable Brennan conducted the enquiry. Thomas Ryan, the owner of the stacks, was the first witness called. His evidence went to show that at about a quarter to six on the morning of the 25th, he discovered the stacks were on fire. He then went over to the stacks, but was too late to do any good. Could see no person near. The stacks burned were insured for £337 in the National, and the damage was estimated at over £500. There was no possibility of the wind blowing sparks from the first two stacks to the others as it was blowiug in the opposite direction. Was at home the whole evening of the 24th, and retired to bed about 10 o'clock. No part of the crop had been destroyed previous to stacking. The stacks were properly protected from the rain. Did not discover any indication, nor hear of any fire in the vicinity of the stacks previous to retiring to bed. Had no reason to suspect ahybody, but was conyinqßdx in his own mind that the actwai tHatrto? "aa J^iendiary.! Several i chain* 'of fence " offwitneasdj property 'wfere burned down some time ago, for the originator of which he had offered £10 reward. That part of Mr Ryans evidence relative to the time at which he, went to bed and discovered the fire in the morning, was corroborated by his wife and three children. Other witnesses having been examined relative to the state of Mr Ryans crop and the construction of the stacks, the jury returned a verdict to the effect that the stacks had been wilfully aud maliciously set fire to by some person or persons ' unknown,