THE RECENT CHRISTCHURCH FIRE

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 232, 24 June 1908, Page 8

THE RECENT CHRISTCHURCH FIRE

INQUEST AND VERDICT. (DY TELEGRAPH—rrtKSS ASSOCIITION.) ChristchurcJi, Juno 23. Tho inquest relating to tho outbreak of the fire in Masters and Sons' shop in High Street on Juno 17' was continued before Mr. H. W. Bishop,' District Coroner, and a jury of sis at the Magistrate's Court this afternoon.

Alfred Masters said 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 tho Wiltshire Building, where his premises were previously. Ilis insurances on tho fire in. High Street wero £850 in tho Alliance, and £500 in tho Royal Exchange. Ho could not say whether he had told,' tho Alliance Company that he was insured in tho Royal, Exchange., When lie left on the night in question he turned the gas off, but not the meter. The gate leading from the right of way was usually locked. One of tho employees had chargo of tho key. He went into the shop and came out again by the front door, and -left everything as usual on tho night of tho fire. Thero was about £4 10s. in •the till,'and in the potty cash drawer about £1. Tho cash register- was not locked, but 'was shut. Anyone who knew how to open tho cash register could got tho cash. There wero two front door .keys, one ho kept and one his son, kept. On the night of tho fire lie kept his key, but his son had given his to ono of the assistants. V Tho reason for this was that his son was moving, and would not be able to got down in time the next morning. The wiudow was practically blocked with goods, but there wero a number of places whero anyone could put his hand through. Ho saw the/cash-box after the fire, and the cash was not'there. He had no reason to believe there'was any particular man who had a grudgo against him, although he could mention a dozen names. Tile jury's finding was to the effect that there wero grave suspicions of incendiarism, but there was not'sufficient evidence to indicate t)ie person.