LACK OF BY-LAWS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 287, 4 December 1941, Page 8

LACK OF BY-LAWS

FIRE INQUIRY EVIDENCE

That there were no by-laws now in the metropolitan area relating to public safety in cases of fire in business and other premises was stated by William Laird Wilson, superintendent of the Metropolitan Fire Board, when cross-examined by Mr. Meredith (counsel assisting commission) at the sitting yesterday afternoon of the commission of inquiry into the fire at John Burns and Company, Limited.

Intervention by Mr. Hunt marked the cross-examination of witness by. Mr. Goldstine (for the Queensland Insurance Company). Mr. Goldstine was pressing witness for a reply as to whether Mr. McKenzie, the deputysuperintendent, should have made a survey of the fire on his arrival, when Mr. Hunt intervened, stating that if Mr. McKenzie had gone into the building and passed the verandah, where a man was holding on to the parapet, he might have been severely reprimanded. "Witness has said he would have done the same as McKenzie, and I agree with him." Counsel again pressed for an answer, and witness stated that he would have done the same as McKenzie.

Witness was still in the box when the inquiry adjourned until this morning.