MAILS SET AFIRE

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 August 1928, Page 7

MAILS SET AFIRE

EVIDENCE AT ENQUIRY

CORONER CENSURES WITNESSES

(Preen Association.)

WHANGAREI, August 24

Arising out of the destruction by fire (involving a mail box) of the Kahoe Bridge Store on May 30 last, an enquiry was conducted by Magistrate Luxford (as coroner) at Kaeo, on Wednesday. ’ The Postmaster at Kaeo testified that the mail contractor left there on May 19, with four bags for delivery at Kahoe Bridge, containing amongst other matter £BO in notes, £9 9s 10-1 worth of stamps, and £125 in cheques on the Whangaroa Dairy Coy. Other witnesses stated that after the fire, there was no sign among the debris of the iron rings attached to the bags, and no remains of the bags, mail or other indications of their destruction by lire. Several persons were called upon to give an account of their movements tit the time of the fire, but nothing was 'conclusive enough to warrant proceedings. . The Coroner, commenting, said: I find that the Kahoe Bridge Store mail box was destroyed by fire early in the morning of May 20. The fire was caused by the deliberate act of some person, or persons, unknown, who first removed the mail bags left by the carrier. The evidence is inconclusive to prove the identity of the guilty persons, but I am not at all satisfied with the evidence of Frank Saies, Simon Fleming, and James Fleming.”

POST OFFICE FIRE.

AUCKLAND, August 23

The combined store and post office at Panmure . was destroyed by fire early this morning. The occupier G. Farr, awakened to find the building well alight, and he and his family made a hurried escape, being unable to save ■ anything, there being no water supply in the village. Nothing could be done to fight the flames, and only the chimneys were left standing. The building was insured in the Guardian Office for £350, and the stock was partly covered by £l5O in the Standard Office. The furniture anil effects were subject to a further policy for £3OO. The safe was removed from the smouldering debris in the morning, and it was found that the money and registered letters therein were intact. The Postal Department states that letters posted after 3.45 p.m. on Wednesday—probably not more than a dozen in all—were destroyed.

NEWSPAPER OFFICE.

DUNEDIN, August 24.

The “County Pres§” newspaper office at Arrowtown, was destroyed by fire last night.

A NIGHT ALARM.

GISBORNE, August 24. Mr and Mrs Wyllie escaped from their house, Cobden Street, ,in night attire, when the building was discovered in flames early this morning. Nothing was saved.