SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 34, 10 February 1908, Page 8

SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION.

"Spontaneous combustion" is again figuring as tho accused in another "mysterious outbreak of_ fire." Referring to the recent destruction of part of tho Christchurch Hospital, a telegram states that the contractor in charge of the work of pulling down the charred portions of the roof of the ward had the roofing felt placed in a number of small heaps on the ground. At about midday it was discovered that one of these heaps had become ignited, and was burning fiercely. The contractor says that he 13 convinced that the felt, which is very dry and loose, and apparently composed ot hair and straw felted with tar, spontaneously ignition in Jie heat of the sim, and that, considering the exceptionally hot weather which preceded the fire at the hospital, and the high temperature existing immediately beneath the roof tiles it is highly probable that spontaneous combustion of the roofing' felt was responsible for the outbreak. Professor Easterfield, of Victoria College, who was one of the experts engaged to report upon the alleged spontaneous combustion of wool, was asked this morning for his opinion about the behaviour of the felting at Christchurch. "One does not care_ to give an opinion offhand," he replied, 'MDut spontaneous combustion does not seem to be in the least probable."

Before Mr. Justice Button this morning a young man named Robert Rankin came up for Sentence on a charge of having stolen £22 from his friend (John Hennessy), while the latter was in hospital. Accused had been remanded for a month to permit of enquiries being made as to his character, and as these had proved satisfactory, his Honour admitted him to probation for two years, on condition that he abstained fiom intoxicating liquors, and paid the costs of the prosecution within six months, and also repaid tho sum of £22 to Hennessy, through the Probation Officer. St. James's Church, South Wellington, naving elected a new board of management, to hold office for three years, the newly-elected members were installed in their office at a special service, conducted by the Rev. W. Shirer, yesterday evening. The number of njembers was increased from nine to twelve, and the vote by which they were elected was the largest yet taken in the congregation. Nearly all the retiring managers were re-elected. The new board is thus constituted : — Messrs. T. Bibby, A. Campbell, O. A. Eibye, G. Giesen, A. Irvine, G. W. Key, E. Lewis, A. M. M'Diarmid, Felix A. Morris, S. Ramsbottom, D. Ryrie, G. R. Wilson. At 2. o'clock to-moirow Messrs \V. H Morrah and Co , will soil by public auction, 111 their rooms, Willis-ttrect, household furniture and effects, the contents of . a seven-roomed hcusa.