The Star Brewery Fire.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 209, 16 October 1888, Page 3

The Star Brewery Fire.

AN OPEN VERDICT. The enquiry into the Star Brewery fire was resumed yesterday morning before Mr Booth, Coroner, and a jury, consisting of Messrs G. R. Moore (foreman), W. Good, G. Watson, W. Pettie, A. J. Cooper, and T. Sweet. Sergt Bullen conducted the enquiry. Mr Brassey appeared for the Insurance Company, and Mr Nolan for the Bank of New South Wales. A. W. Croft, agent for the Phoenix Insurance Company, gave evidence as to accepting the proposal fnr £350. Did not give Adam or Robert Knox permission to remove any of the property. Figures were submitted to me of what everything cost. The cost was given to him as about £6OO. Had conversation with R. Knox on September 18th. He asked me when premium was due. Told him on the 22nd. He said “If my brother Adam does not pay the premium I will do so.” He then asked me if I would increase the insurance another £5O. I said, No, I feel inclined to reduce it £SJ as the place is unoccupied, but I will consider the matter and let you know when you pay the premium.” Saw Adam Knox some eight or ten hours after the fire. He told me the brewery was burnt down, and spoke about putting the claim in. Saw the property several days before the fire. Claim had not been put in. He had given time until the enquiry was finished. At eleven o’clock on the morning of the fiie left Gisborne and went up to see the remains of the fire, together about 12 o’clock. Saw Adam Knox there. Did not speak to him. Went on to Makaraka. Adam Knox was behind us. By the Foreman : Posted the usual notice to Adam Knox that his policy would expire on a certain date. Was satisfied that the property was worth the amount of insurance. By Mr Brassey: Did not know Adam Knox till the morning of the fire. He was at the office directly after he (witness) arrived. By the Foieman : No offer had been made to the Bank of New South Wales since the fire. James Hogg, Manager of the Bank of New South Wales, deposed: Bank made advances to Adam Knox on the Star Brewery. On 11th March £l5O was advanced, and on the 23rd August a further sum of £95. With interest up to 3rd September, the amount stands as £251 IG” Id. At the time of the advancement of £l5O held a mortgage with transfer of insurance policy, and an agreement to execute bill of sale over plant if required. When the second payment was made insisted on the agreement being carried out, and got the bill of sale. There was a negotiation with Mr Reynolds for the sale of the property, as R. Knox had said he was willing to sell the property. His dealings had been principally with Robert Knox though Adam Knox signed the papers. He thought £5OO was the price named to Mr Reynolds, which was required for the property. Told Knox he would give h m the transfer any time he could dispose of the property. The proposal to sell the property came from Knox. The Bauk had not called up the advance.

By Mr Brassey : The first advance of £l5O was passed into R. Knox’s account. The same was done with the £95. Understood all through that the arrangemen ts made by Adam'Knox were for the benefit of bis brother. These two were the only cheques ever drawu by Adam Knox.

Mr Reynolds, of the firm of Nicoll, Reynolds and Co., deposed : The B’ar Brewery was put into his hands for sale by R. Knox on 261 h July, after Mr Hogg had spoken to him about it. The price wanted was £4OO. Mr Hogg said he would be very pleased if he (witness) could make a speedy sale. R. Knox also appeared anxious to dispose of it, and was continually speaking to him about it. Adam Knox was not known to him. He had an enquiry from Napier for the property but nothing came of it, the party who was negotiating being disappointed in not getting money which he expected. John Ashdown, slaughterman, deposed: Remembered the night of the 18th September. Was at Matawhero on that night. Left for home on horseback between 11 and, 12. It was moonlight. Met a man on horseback between Stevenson’s and Ball’s house. The man was coming towards town. Did not know who he was. Never told anyone that he did know. He was quite sure he never told anybody. Had a mate working with him named William Lee. Had a conversation next day about meeting a man. Lee told him the brewery was burned down. Said it was a strange affair. Told him he met a man and fancied he knew the horse he was riding. The horse was one like that Adam Knox usrd to ride. Knew Adam Knox pretty well. Told Mrs Bougen he had been summoned as a witness in the enquiry- what for, he did not know. Also told her that he met a man that night. She did not tell him to be cautious in what he was saying. _ Never told any person that he met Anam Knox that night. Did not notice any peculiarity about the gait of the horse the man "was riding that night. By Mr Brassey: Did not see Adam Knox on the 13th. Left home about seven o’clock. The horse he saw that night he had seen since, whether in Knox’s paddock or when being ridden by Knox he could not say. When he saw the horse on the night of the 18th he believed it to be Adam Knox’s. Never told his mate that the man he saw was Adam Knox, or that it might have been, or that it looked line him. Told Mr Clark he met a man that night. Re-examined by Sergt Bullen : Knew a man named Jack Momus. Did not tell him that he met a man that night who could make it b hot for Adam Knox if he liked. Never swore except when he was in a temper. Was positive be never used such an expression. His mate told him he had met a man on the road on the night of the 18th, and believed it was Adam Knox.

William Lee, an employee of Mr John Clark, deposed that he was in town on the night of the 18th. Left town about 11 30. Shortly after passing Read’s gate met a man on horseback. The horse appeared to be black. Thought the man was Adam Knox, The man was wearing a black coat and light trousers. Was in town next Qiiornipg, and got back home about ten. Told Ashdown the brewery was burnt down, and that he ha<i met a man who, he thought, was Adam Knox, By Mr Brassey: He looked at the man when he passed, and he thought it was Adam Knox. Did not pass Adam Knox on the road next morning. He still thought it was Adam Knox he saw that night. This concluded the evidence. The jury retired at 1 p.m., a.nd at 3 p.m. returned a verdict, “ That the Star Brewery was burned on the morning of the 19th September under suspicious circumstances, but no evidence has been produced to show the origin of the fire,” The following rider was added :—“ The jury must express their dissatisfaction at the great loss ot time they have incurred in this case, and that when Insurance Companies demand an enquiry jurymen should be remunerated,”