TELEGRAMS.

Feilding Star, Volume II, Issue 353, 26 August 1907, Page 4

TELEGRAMS.

tPKE FBBSS ASSOCIATION.] THE ROTORUA ACCIDENT. Auckland, August 24. The inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the Rotorua train accident was resumed to-day. The various railway employees concerned were called and asked by Mr Kettle whether they required a subpoena before giving evidence. Several said they did, and Mr Kettle said that they could have counsel to watch the proceedings on their behalf subject to this condition: That the Court had the right to order any of the men concerned out of the Court during the proceedings. Mr Taylor, one of of the drivers, said that if that were done there would be no one to advise the men's counsel on any point and they would accordingly be at a great disadvantage. Mr Kettle said he did not see that. He had* no objection to any person who was not a witness sitting next to the men's counsel, on the understanding > that the evidence was not communicated to anyone outside the Court. Mr Taylor said that this meant that he and others would appear without counsel, as under the circumstances counsel would not act. This was unfair to the mm. After a good deal of discussion on the point,' Mr Kettle said he would adjourn the Court until Monday to see what arrangements could be made. BIG FIRE IN HAMILTON. Hamilton, August 25. About ten o'clock on Saturday evening a fire broke out in a block of buildings in Victoria street owned by Hardley Bros, and occupied by Messrs Deacon, tobacconist; Purcell, tailor; Hardman and Curtis, pork butchers; and J. B. Scott, land agent. Before the flames were subdued all the shops were gutted and most' of the contents were destroyed or ruined J>y smoke and water. The adjoining premises 0/ Messrs Gutteridge and Pooock, ironmongers, and Dr. Goring were for a time threatened with destruction, but the brigade succeeded in confining the fire to the block in which it originated. Messrs Hardley Bros, had an insurance of £600 on the building, but the tenants' property was all uninsured.