THE CHRISTCHURCH FIRES.

Bruce Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 58, 25 June 1908, Page 2

THE CHRISTCHURCH FIRES.

SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES. CHRISTCHURCH, June 23. The inquest relating to the outbreak of fire in Masters and Son's shop in High Street on June 17 was continued before Mr H. W. Bishop, District Coroner, and a jury; of six, at the Magistrate's Court this afternoon. Alfred Masters said that he was carrying on business with his sons in High Street. He took stock about a month ago. The value of the stock was about £834. A fire had occurred in the Wiltshire Buildings, where his premises previously were. His insurances on the fire in High Street were £BSO in the Alliance and £SOO in the Royal Exchange. He could not say whether he had told the Alliance Co. that he was insured in the Royal Exchange. The goods were transferred. When he left on the night in question he turned the gas off, but not the meter. The gate leading on to the right-of-way was usually locked; one of the employees had charge of the key. He went into the shop and came out again by the front door, and left everything as usual. On tho night of the fire there was about £4 10s in tho till, and in the petty cash drawer about £l. The cash register was not locked, but was shut. Anyone who knew how to open the cash register could get the cash. There were two front door keys—one he kept himself and one his son kept. On tho night of tho fire ho kept his key, but his son had given his to one of the assistants. Tho reason for this was that his son was moving and would not be able t<get down in time the next morning. The window was practically blocked with goods, but there were a number of places where anyone could put his hand through. Ho saw the cash box after the fire, but tho cash was not there. He had no reason to believe that there was any particular man who had p grudge against him, although he could mention a dozen names. Tho jury's finding was to the effect that there wore grave suspicions of in cendiarism, butthero was not sufficient evidence to indicate the person. ANOTHER OUTBREAK. CHRISTCHURCH, June 23. A fire took place to-day about noon in the Triangle, above a bookseller's shop. The room was unoccupied, and had some loose papers in it. A heap, of papers was found burning near the wall of_ the room. The wall, being plaster, failed to ignite, and the fire was extinguished by some water being poured on to it. This is tho third outbreak of firo in the same vicinity within the last two days.