FAILS TO START

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 139, 25 March 1936, Page 2

FAILS TO START

EASTBOURNE FIRE-ENGINE. \ EVIDENCE' AT AN INQUIRY. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, March 24. An inquiry into a fire that destroyed a residence belonging to the estate of R. E. Manley, in Eastbourne, early on the morning of February 20, was heard in the Police Court today. , , ~ . Felicita Roselle Manley, widow or Robert Edwin Manley, said she was the only beneficiary under the will. Her son, Mervyn, owned a single oak bed, a gramophone, and some glass cells. A few days after her husband’s death she went to Dannevirke, and she was there when the fire occurred. She gave Mervyn authority to take furniture from the house if he wanted money. Evidence was given about the discovery of the fire at 2.40 a.m. William Walter Kelly, superintendent of the Eastbourne Fire Brigade, said the brigade’s engine was kept in an unlocked garage. The motor was started every morning to see if it was in good running order, and it was in good order on the morning of February 19. He did not use any water about the engine. About 2.50 a.m. on February 20,he received an alarm. *He arrived first at the station, closely followed by the deputysuperintendent. They tried in vain to get the engine started, and finally had to get a tow, after which the machine proceeded under its own power. The house was completely gutted, nothing being saved. Deputy - Superintendent Samuel Fleming said that, while waiting for the towing vehicle, he examined the engine, and he thought at the time that it had been tampered with. Replying to counsel for Mervyn Manley, Fleming said the engine was about nine years old and was formerly a bus engine. Because of the age of the engine and wear it could be expected to give trouble at odd moments. The magistrate decided that the evidence was by no means conclusive that there should be suspicion on Mervyn Manley. At the present time there was no evidence justifying the suggestion that the fire engine had been tampered with. The inquiry was adjourned.