Inquest at Normanby upon the Recent Fire.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume IX, Issue 1610, 27 April 1887, Page 2

Inquest at Normanby upon the Recent Fire.

An inquest was held- on Tuesday in Brett'B Imperial Hotel, before C. A. Wray, Esq., coroner, and a jury compoaed of C Quin (foreman), G. Inkster, A. Sutherland, C. Casey, D. Home, and F. J. Gane, upon the late fire in England's old store. The jury first viewed the ruins. Sergeant Anderson conducted the case; Mr. Samuel watching the case on behalf of Mr. England.

William Lilly England sworn, deposed — I remember the Bth of April last. I was at my dwelling opposite the scene of the fire in the morning and in the evening of that day. One portion of the building burnt was occupied by me as a shoemaker's shop, the rest (with the exception of the part occupied by J. H. Carroll, the shoemoker in my employ, as a dwelling-house). I used it in carrying on my business as a storekeeper. Immediately at the back of Carroll's flit-ting-room thei'e was a store marked No. 4on plan produced. This was nsed as a timber store, and contained at the time of the fire a number of empty cases and one crockery crate fnll of straw ; behind that again was another room unoccupied, No. 3. At the rear of and detached from main building, there was a weatherboard building with loft and iron roof, divided into a butter house for pack* ing and storing butter and a grain store, There was also a detached stable and coachhouse facing the Ketemarae road, containing two seed cleaning machines, but no straw or inflammable material. There were 2000 white pine palings stacked io the yard. At the time of the fire the butter room contained eight kegs, a partly filled case of butter, and a butter worker. Most of this was' Bayed. The grain store contained about 120 sacks of chaff, seven sacks of lime, one case of clothing, and a box of business papers. In either Nos. 3 or 4 was a broken case containing several dozen tin boxes (250) of damaged matches. In the shoemaker's shop were about 45 pairs of boots and a quantity of leather. These were saved. There was a small quantity of drapery in the shop window. I estimate the value of my stock at the time of the fire at £100. It was not insured. The main part of the building was about eighteen yeari old, the remainder being built by me at various times since 1879. The. whole of the buildings were insured in the Norwich Union office for £300 about fiveT years ago. Previously they were insured in the Colonial. At the time of insuring I valued the buildings at £400 ; at the time of the fire I valued them at £300. . There is a mortgage on the land and buildings to Dr. Keating, late of Pafcea, for J300. % Of this £100 was paid on March 26th, and the remainder was to be paid in May. I should have had no difficulty in meeting this independent of any insurance money. I produce my bank book, which, shows payment to Keating and credit balance on March 31st. I have a right to overdraw my account to the extent ot £300. The nee of the stores was worth 10s a week to me! and I consider 10s per week a fair rent for the shop aud dwelling house, which rent I stopped from Carroll's wages, so that by the fire I am losing what was worth £1 per week to me. The sitting room chimney was defective, and' bad been repaired several times. I always kept a sheet of iron at the back of the fireplace when residing there myself. The sitting room chimney projects into. No. 4. I know nothing of the fire or its origin. I was last on the premises between 5 and 6 o'clock on tha Bdi, the date of the fire.. It was bright daylight. I had been with my tamily at the beach that day. After returning I stood talking to my shop* wan (Jackson) on the opposite side from the fire, when, noticing the yard gates open, I went across to shut., them, .and tben went as far a3 the butter-house to => see if there was any butter lying unpacked. I did not go in, not having the key, but looked through the window and saw there was none.

To a Juror— A.s far as I know, the buildings were always locked. I had no intention of going to 'the butter-house until I had entered the yard. There are no windows in No. 3or 4. I generally visit it at leagt once a day. I did not agaia go back to the premises.' 'I had tea at 6 o'clock. After that I remained in my shop with Jackson for half aa hour. I then went to the station to leave for New Plymouth by the 7.20 p.m.train, Jackson accompanying me. The (rain being late I returned with Messrs. Rowe and R. S. Thompson aa far as Wilson's ; then went back to the station, leaving in the train at 8.20 p.m. . The train was an hoar late that nigutJ I first heard of the fire on the following day by tbe train arriving .in New Pljmoutb nfcll.2oa.ua. I intended returning Saturday evening, but missed the tram through being unwell. Returned on Monday morning. I went to New Plymouth to act as a judge at the Horticultural Society's show, to take place next morning. Remember telling Sergt Anderson that I had not been in the buildings since the 6th. Did not say I bad nob been on the premises.

R. H. Nolan— l am a partner in tbe firm of Nolan, Tonka and Co., auctioneers, of Hawera, agents for the Norwich Union Insurance Company. Tbe pro* perty in question was insured with us in April, 1882. for £300, tbe stock being insured for a like amount, This, policy was renewed from time to time till sth April, 1886, when it lapsed, a new policy for £300 on the house being issued to W. P. Keating, April 7, 1886. the stock having been removed. We receved a cheque, with a request for renewal, from Hill. England on sth April. The receipt was not forwarded to him till Monday, 11th, ao tbab for all be knew the building may have been uninsured. Edward Charles Homer appeared as attorney for Dr. Keating. The original mortgage fell due on 17th May, 1894, and was renewed by agreement between Dr. Keating and himself for two years, bringing it to 17th May, 1886. Interest baa been paid up to date. I reminded Mr. England that mortgage was overdue on 26th October last, and asked him to redeem it. He replied he was under tbe impression that so long as interest was paid and premises kept, insured Dr. . Keating did not require the principal. Wrote again January 6th, expressing surprise, and asked him definitely to pay before 15th. He replied on the Btb, forwarding cheque for half-year's interest, and promising to pay at 'the end of tbe following week. On the,lsthvhe regretted not having sold bis farm, asking for time till tbe end of January, and abating that be could manage it by that time. On 28th he stated he had sold hit farm, and would pay off early in- Feb. On February 3rd had a letter from Stock, who had purchased-thefarm, forwarding preparation of deeds. On 11th March England wrote saying he would come down and see me with reference to mortgage. He also Baid he would be able to pay £200 in time for outgoing, mail, and balance in time for next mail ' I wrote to him on March 18th, saying the amount must be paid on the 22nd. He replied that he found it impassible to pay by that date, but was willing to : pay increased interest for the accommodation if we would give him to May 19th, when be would pay full principal, stating that he bad been disappointed in the sale of bis farm. We replied that we conld not accede to- his request, but /agreed to accept £100 by 26th Marcbjand balance with interest on May 19th. He forwarded

JIOO on March 24th. . ,- ~*s Rohevb Lore— l aba and was at the time of the fire employed by Mr. England

as bookkeeper. I know tbe buildings burnt; they were always kept locked. On the night before the fire, Ecclesfield;, the foreman, brought the keys into the office, placing tbera on tbe desk. Tbis was between 8 and 9 o'clock. I did not again go into the office till after the fire. The- keys were accessible to any one going into the office. Thos. Ecclesfield — I was at the time of the fire stbreman to Mr. England. I remember Thursday, the 7th. I locked up tbe building burnt about sundown. Took tbe keys over to the shop, hanging them np behind tbe counter. I may have left them on tbe desk. I cannot remember. No. 4 store, where the fire started, contained empty cases and two crates ' full of straw. In the grain store were 40 or 50 bags of chaff and some lime. I cannot say with any certainty how many bags there were, not having stored it or Been bow many loads went in. (Witness corroborated Mr. England's statement aa to the contents ol the batter , house.) Tbe damaged matches I first saw about a year back. They were in a candle box. Never saw a zinc lined case containing matches. There may have been, though I had not seen them. Others besides myself had access to the building. Should value the contents, exclusive ot the shop, a6~ from £30 to £40. I was | at the fire shortly after it started, and flames were coming from No. 4 near tbe chimney. . ' John Henry Carroll — I am a shoemaker in the employ of Mr. England. I receive £2 10s per week and house rent free. Should say 10s per week was a fair rent There was from JISD to i!6D worth of stock in the shop, and £2 worth of leather. There was also some drapery. I was at Manaia with my family on the day of tbe fire. We returned at about 7 p.m., when I went to the station, returning after the train left ; came in the back way, passing within a yard of No. 4. Did sot detect any sign of fire. Sat down to tea, but in from three to five minutes from the time of my entering I heard the alarm, and looking out saw No. 4 on fire. I started saving my furniture. Last had a fire in the sitting room the night before the fire. It was extinguished by pouring water over it. There were damaged matches in a candle box in tbe kitchen. Went to Manaia in Mr. England's spring trap. Robert Brooke — I am carter to Mr. England. Returned lrom railway station with Carroll night of the fire. After leaving him heard the alarm, and return-

ing saw fire breaking from No. 4. Some time since saw a lot of damaged matches there ; may still have some. Margaret Wallace — I was until recently servant to Mr. England. I was with the family at the beach on Good Friday last. We returned abont 5 o'clock. We all went in at the front door. I went to the kitchen to prepare tea ; saw Mr. England cross the road ; cannot cay where he went. He came in to tea half an hour afterwards. I had received notice a week before, and left Mr. England's on the

following Monday. I told Willie England

that morning that his father would go to gaol. I was in a temper at the time, and meant nothing by the statement, and bad

no reason for saying it. I have not told any one that I saw Mr. England go to the store after returning from the beach.

Was not at the fire, remaining in tbe house with the children.

To Mr. Samuel — I never saw you or Mr. England on this subject, nor have I been questioned by either of you before. To Sergeant Anderson — Have not been told to " bold my tongue and say nothing" . in the presence ot the police or any one else. Patrick Dolan — I am a stationer, resident in Normanby. Remember night of the fire. It broke out in No. 4 about ten minutes after the train left. The store at the back of the building was first aligbt. Should say it was 18 or 20 feet from a chimney. I saw Mr. England cross tbe street from the old store to bis dwelling about 6 o'clock. Saw him at the station

and spoke to him. A few days before, we had a conversation about insurance. He told me he was tired of tbe company be was insured with, and thought of

changing. lam an insurance ageuh. 1 I told him the premises burnt were not worth £300. He told me some time

ago that he bad not sold his farm as expected! . I should estimate value of ]aad and' buildings at £100. I don't think they WDuiu have realised ibafc. If Mr. England bad been living there I would have insured it at £100. As it was I would rather not have insured it.

To Mr. Nolan— lt was fairly insurable at £300 five years ago. I consider proSerty tax and town board valuations in formanby as excessive— in some cases double. their value. Alfred Payne— l ani agent at Normanby for the N.Z. Fire Insurance Co. Arrived from Fatea on Good Friday by the evening train, and remained at tbe station till train left.. Came straight to Brett's Hotel; stopped four or five minutes and went home, aDd five minutes alter heard the alarm. Ran to the fire, and saw flames and smoke coming from the side of No. 4 store towards the yard. As an insurance agent, I should value the property in case from £75- to £100, not including outbuildings. Cbas. Pain — I was at tbe station on date of fire, and caw England there. I came to Brett's, and had been there about two minutes when I heard tbe alarm. I ran into the yard, and saw smoke coming through the iron roof of No. 4. I got on the roof of Brett's lean-to, and cut a hole

in the roof of the store with an axe, but / saw nothing bat fire. Should say it bad on.ly.been burning to any extent for ten ■' ' minutes.' Can give no idea how the fire '. originated. • ' ' •To a Juror — Did not detect any smell of kerosene.

* ' '■' W. Howe — I am a nurseryman, resident ' '' in Normanby, Went to New Plymouth ftqod Friday evening. Saw Mr. England .'fttptitioi}; ; We came back to. Normanby again, J was with Mr. England at New Plymouth when he was informed of the fire. He seemed put about, saying lam a rained man, but I think he imagined that it was' the store he was living in that was' burnt. Mr.' Eobson did not state wbioh Btore it was.

To a Juror— Did not see Mr. England with any bottle of brandy at the station. Mr. Dolan, recalled—After the fire Mr. Carroll came to my place of businesß, and spoke about tbe fire. He said be expected it^o happen long since, and that Mr.'Englaad had asked him to send his wife add family to New Plymouth for a week. He said he was surprised at Mr. England giving him bis trap on Good Friday morning. He gave it voluntarily, without being a3ked. He was glad bis wife did not go, as be was de^ f, and he would probably bave been burnt.^ England was always disappointing him ta the way of getting Block. He said there -viraa very little stock there He; - made these statements voluntarily. Fanny Carroll— l am the wife of J. H. Carroll. ' Some two months ago was advised by Mr. England to go to New Plymouth, and take my child to tbe doctor; the child is etill ill, Mr, Samuel for the defence called Max; D. King, commission agent and agent for Phoenix Insurance Company for this district— He said "I am well acquainted with buildings burnt ; bave carefully- computed value. I estimate it would take JJS4O to replace build* lags cs .they stood ; should not have (be slightest hesitation in taking £300 or £350 on buildings . the diy before

- they were burnt. They were worth tbal to Mr. England* considering the position,

This estimate does not include shop fitUugß. ' Hbrabe.Ujniarno Baker— l am a builder in this district ; had 25 years' experience. I know building well, having lived here three or four years. I estimate it would take £470 to replace buildings burnt. Property opposite that cost me iE'3OO, I could not get more than JBISO for now. My. Samuel had nothing to say further than that Mr. England deeply thanked the police for the exhaustive enquiry given. The Corner addressed the jury pointing out their duty and the different verdicts they might bring in and also commenting strongly upon tbe language and conduct of one of the "witnesses called. Tbe first verdict brought in by tbe jury was referred back to them by the Magistrate for amendment, and after some delay tbe following was returned : — There is no evidence before tbe jury as to cause or origin of the Are, but .they are of opinion that it v?a3 caused by an incendiary.