FIRE IN A GROCER'S SHOP

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 122, 19 November 1914, Page 8

FIRE IN A GROCER'S SHOP

EVIDENCE AT THE ENQUIRE Further evidence was heard to-day by Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., in the enquiry into the origin of a fire which destroyed on 3rd October last a grocer's shop at 63, Taranaki-street, occupied by Claude Lee .Browne. Inspector Hendrey conducted the proceedings for the police. Mr. A. Dunn appeared for Browne and C. Pratt and Co., assignees of the estate, Mr. R. Cook for Mrs. Browne, and Mr. H. E. Evans for the Northern Insurance Company. James* Ferguson Lairig, manager of the merchandise department of Messrs. W. and G. Turnbull, stated that his firm had supplied goods to Mr. Browne, and subsequently on not receiving payment had threatened proceedings. Early in September he had visited Browne's shop and estimated the stock there as worth about £60 or £70. This was exclusive of a few things under the counter. I Witness reported that the stock was I clean, in good order, and well looked after. To Mr. Evans : He had been dealing with the class of goods which Mr. Browne handled for about ten years. To Mr. Dunn: -He had just taken a rough glance round the shop. Robert Hamilton Nimmo, pianb dealer, Kent-terrace, said he had delivered a piano to the Brownes on 30tb June, on the hire purchase system, for £20. The deposit was £2, and the balance was to be paid at £1 per month. The purchasers had to pay the insurance premium, and witness held the policy. The amount was £20. Both Mr. and Mrs. Browne were present when the contrail, was signed. He had no knowledge until after the fire that there was any further insurance on the piano. The piano Was saved. To Mr. Evans : Witness signed the proposal form. To Mr. Dunn: In the case of all hire purchases the piano was insured in the linn's name. In event of fire they would ■replace the piano, drawing the whole of the insujance money. To the Magistrate : If cash were paid for the piano, then it was other people's property. This closed the evidence for the police, with the exception of one witness, who could not be present. * Walter Janes West, called by Mr. Evans, said he was an employee of Messrs. George Thomas and Co., their town representative. His firm had supplied goods to Mr. Browne and payment was being made weekly until the time of the fire. To Mr. Cook : The amount still owing by Browne was about £26. Browne had reduced the liability since February, and had also made cash payments for produce purchased. William. Blundell Strong, district inspector of the United Insurance Company, said there was an insurance with Nimmo and Son of £20 on a piano supplied to Mr. Browne. E. B. Nation, accountant of Levin and Co., gave evidence as to the business done by his firm with Browne. Mary O'Brien, residing at 38, Abel Smith-street, married woman, called by Mr. Cook, said she went to Browne's shop on 3rd October, Saturday evening, to get kerosene. Mr. Browne supplied the kerosene from underneath the counter near the door. He just managed to fill the bottle; the kerosene tin was nearly empty. VVitness said if there was not enough it could be made up during the week. The time was about 9.40. She had noticed a stain of kerosene on tho floor of the shop a long time — before ,Mr. Browne came. She had been dealing at the shop for five years. To Mr. Evans : She saw the kerosene tin emptied. To Inspector Hendrey : She had not noticed any smell of kerosene or any liquid on the floor. The enquiry was, adjourned to Tuesday next, at 11 a.m.