The Fire at Wangaloa.

Bruce Herald, Volume IX, Issue 806, 26 May 1876, Page 5

The Fire at Wangaloa.

An inquest was held on Wednesday last, before Dr Smith, District Coroner, on the fire that occurred on the 15th inst., at Mr Donald Mitchell's farm, Wangaloa. The following' evidence was taken : — Donald Mitchell deposed — I remember the 15th iust. I heard a cooey at night. I got up and opened the door, when I saw the mill and stacks in flames. I went over. The straw stack was consumed ; the wheat one nearly so, and also the thrashing mill. On engaging Mr Ilardie to thrash my crop, I told him that I would take his mill conditionally — viz., that the men would only get tenpence an hour instead of one shilling. I have always been on good terms with my neighbors. My loss amounts to over £200, aud I am not iusured for a shilling. Peter Ilaggart deposed — I am a settler residing at Wangaloa. AYhen I was returning from Kaitangata on the evening of the 15th of May last, about 11.15 I saw the first appearance I had of the fire. I thought it was the light of some ship at sea. I was six miles from the seat of the fire, but on the top of the hill, where 1 could see a long distance ; in daylight you can see a distance of forty to fifty miles. About two or three minutes afterwards it burst into a great flame. I thought it was some straw burning in Boyd's or Mitchell's farm. I rode pretty quickly uutil I reached home. I then took nvy glass, and could see it was afire at Mitchell's. I then mounted my horse, rode to the seat of the fire, and roused, the men in the barn — Hardic the cugiucer aud 1 went down to the fire. Tiio straw stack was all consumed, the wheat nearly so, with the exception of the stack nearest the engine. lam of opinion tha( the fire took place to the windward side of the straw stack. I heard Mr Mitchell had reduced the wages of the men, but never heard of any threat against him for so doing. Henry Dobby deposed — I am a farm laborer, residing at present at "Wangaloa, and in the employment of Mr D. Mitchell. On the 14th of May Mr James Ilaggart asked me how the mill and the tenpenny men were gcttiug on. 1 said they were gettiug on all right, lie said that Donald Mitchell would only save ;£3 by bringing down the wages, and that he would get no good by it. Haggart had been working at Bond's, but left when the mill came to Mitchell. I have been with Mr Mitchell for nearly IS months, aud found Mr Mitchell a good master. Hugh Uncart was present when he made use of the language. Leonard Ilardie deposed — T am an engineer. I remember the 15th of May last. We were thrashing the crop of Mr Douald Mitchell. I was in charge of the engine. We left off working at G. 30. 1 cleaned out the furnace ashpan, and poured water on the ashes. There Avas no straw near Avhere 1 put the ashes. When I left everything was in darkness, and no signs of any fire. When I left the mill it would be about a quarter to seven. The straw was put about 30 yards from the engine, and the wheat stack would be about 7 yards from the engine. It was a calm night. It had been blowing stiff during the day. I came along to lUr Mitchell's and had supper. 1 left his house at 9 o'clock ; passed the mill aud engine at a distance of 4 or 5 chains. Everything was theu in darkness. Peter Ilaggart came about 12 o'clock and told me that the mill was on fire. I got up and went to the place. I found the straw stack burnt to the ground. The mill was yearly all consumed. Th^

wheat? stack was all '-aflame, except the end nearest the engine; The bags were all burning 1 , witJr the exception of those nearest the "'-engine. I am part owner of the mill, and the mill is insured for £50. I was working at Mr Boyd's before coming to Mr Mitchell. .There were only two hands (S. Thompson and David Smith) working at Mr Mitchell's. The others that were working with, me at Mr Boyd's left of their own free will. They left because I reduced [the wages from one shilling to tenpence per hour. I had no difficulty in filling their places. " When I told the men at Boyd's that the wages' would be reduced they made use of jio threatening remarks. I slept in the Darn along with other niue men. When I returned from Mr Mitchell's they had all turned in, but the light was not out. I did not hear any of the men go out after I turned in. I saw no man smoking that Clay except at the time allowed for smoking, aud then we went behind the engine away from the stacks aud straw. John Haggart deposed — I am a settler residing at Wangaloa. I remember the 15th of May. I was workiug at the thrashingmill on Mitchell's farm. We knocked off working at 6.30. I assisted along with Hardie to clear out the furnace of the engine. Mr Hardie put the ashes down amongst his feet and spread them out. I saw him throw two buckets of water over the ashes. I am positive the fire was all extinguished, and everything was in darkness when [ left Mr Hardie. The jury returned a verdict to the effect that there was no evidence to show how the fire originated.