C.P.C.A. FIRE

Evening Star, Issue 14627, 25 July 1911, Page 8

C.P.C.A. FIRE

AT WAIMATE. A rMYAfFINQUIRY. Members of the Board of Directors of the Canterbury Fanners' Co-operative Association went to Waimato on Tuesday and held an inquiry into the firo which occurred in their premises a little over a week ago. An. inspection of the building was first made, when it was found very little damage was done to the walls, but that the linings, ceilings, floors, and fixtures had suffered materially. A great deal of damage was done to the stocks, especially millinery, clothing, mercery, carpets, grocery, Manchester, and hardware.

The local manager (Mr E. Hassell) gave evidence that tho caretaker made his round usually about 10 o'clock, and he locked tho doors after the emolovees had left.

The night of tho fire the door was barred as usual, and after barring tho door the caretaker, as usual, made a complete inspection of the premises. Smoking was absolutely prohibited on the premise?. Mr W. Lindsay, assistant in the hardware department, also gave evidence, but could throw no light on the cause of the fire. Screws, tin plates, rivets, and wa'tc--paints were in. tho corner where tho fire started. There, were no rags or methvl-.tted spirits about. He had discovered that some goods were missing sine© the fire. He was instructed, to clean all the watches and jewellery, and on cleaning the watches he had found that n box of watches was mussing. He. believed it was taken before the fire. Mr iSmeaton, head of tho hardware-de-partment, and Mr Matthews also gave evidence, but could throw £o light on the cause of the outbreak of fire. Captain Nash, of the fire brigade, gave ovidenco as to where the fire started, and said he could not see how. if the fire was caused accidentally, it could smoulder inside the building" until 4 o'clock in the morning. tSergeanfc Morgan, of tho police, said that a man named Turner, coming from the Waihao Forks, saw the fire' when he got to the corner, and he rang the bell A jxilice inquiry would probably be held. The above it? a precis of the evidence given. Tho directors subsequently met in Tima.ru and considered the whole iv.dcroe, after which they passed tho fojiow'ng resolution:—"That after carefully -.•oTisidcring all tho evidence available, tlw board are of opinion that no blame is attachable to any of the employees. They are unable to believe the tiro could possibly have originated accidentally, and consider it was caused through some external agency." It has already been intimated that Me&srs W. Penrose and Co., George street, Dunedin, have bought all the stocks of .-oft goods and furnishings. These are now being prepared for the silo, which is to commence on Thursday. Unusual interest is being taken in the disposal cf tiiis f.tcck. It is attracting attention on account of itshigh qualities, and because it is well ki own that the Farmers' Association stocked tn'y goods that were of the highest quality. As there is upwards of £B,OOO worth of goods to be salvaged, buyers may well be assured that they can make up their fuh requirements at this sale. There is enough for all. Tii is sale is the biggest thing of the kind held in. Dunedin for tho last 20 vears. —fAdvt.]