THE MEDORA FIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 87, 14 April 1899, Page 2

THE MEDORA FIRE.

The inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the fire on board the schooner Medora on January 11 List was continued at the Magistrate's Court yesterday afternoon. William Whittingham, the cook, who discovered the fire, gave evidence corroborating that of the captain and mate. When he reached the engine room the doors" were open, though the mate had shut them late at night. . Mr C. T. Subritzky, who usually acted as engineer on the boat, but was ill When the fire occurred, stated that he assisted to suppress the fire. He entered the engine room after the fire. Under the oil tank was a quantity of ash, which Was the only suspicious thing he saw in the room. Nothing was stowed under the tank. Corroborative evidence was given by J. Dowridge, ordinary seaman. .Mr Rose said that the matters on which decisions were requested were, whether either the master or mate (certificated officer?) are in any way to blame, and secondly, whether the court could express an opinion as to the origin of the fixe from evidence adduced. After a short retirement for the court to • consider its decision Mr Brabant said that having considered the evidence he came to the conclusion that tftere Was no evidence be- [

fore him to enable him to determine the origin of the lire. There was nothing to show default or wrongful action on the part of the officers, and their certificates would therefore be returned.