CHRISTCHURCH FIRES

Hokitika Guardian, 4 October 1929, Page 6

CHRISTCHURCH FIRES

INSURANCE ASPECT. A SUSPICIOUS INSTANCE. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) CHRJSTCHUItCH, October 3. “If there is over-insurance of property of the nature shown in . this case, it will ho a direct incentive to incendiarism.” These remarks were made by Mr Levvey, S.M., at the conclusion of an inquest into a fire, which destroyed a house on Holly Road on the evening of September 9th. The house was owned and occupied by A. V. Clements, and the evidence was that when the fire, occurred, there was'no one at home. Tho Coroner's verdict was that the premises were damaged and partially destroyed by two fires, one in a bedroom, and one in the scullery; and that both fires were deliberately and independently started with the intention of destroying the premises. “I further find,” he added “that, 'whilst the circumstantial evidence gives rise to grave suspicions as to the originator of the said .fires, the full evidence falls short of enabling this Court to arrive at a final decision on that point.” The' evidence of A. V. Clements, owner of the property, was that lie bought it for £925, or £950 in 1918. Since then,he had improved it. He claimed that the value of the house was' £l,lOO, or £1,200. The insurance on the house was £1,425. The furniture was insured for £450 and he estimated that it was* worth about that amount. At the time of the fire lie was at Cheviot. He had not been home for two or three weeks prior to the fire. Rebecca- Matilda Clements, wife of the previous witness, said that slie went out, on September 9tli for the evening with five children to the pictures. After going out, she returned to write a note. Witness told the children to go on. Witness could not find a letter card. She did not write a note, but she hurried after the. children. She did not see them on the tram. She met them after the picture show at the theatre. She returned home to find all the lights out, and firemen in charge of the house. Some ,clothing was missing. Someone must have broken into the house and stolen the things. Chief Detective Carroll produced a children’s fancy dress costume, part of which was saturated with petrol. This had been found at the seat of the fire in the bedroom. Witness said the value of the goods destroyed was £3B, and of those missing £B. The Chief Detective: “There’s no doubt that you were pushed for .money at the time of this fire!” Witness: “No. I was not.” Chief Detective: “Do you think the things in the house were worth £404?” ‘ : •Witness: “Yes.” , , Jame,s Hutchins, assessor, gave evidence of inspecting the damaged property. The value of the goods damaged was £3B 11s, and £2OO would be the outside limit of the value of goods remaining. Other evidence was that a key was found m the back door, and a .tin of petrol outside two feqt from the door. : ; , 'f Detective-Sergeant 'O’Brien said that' he found sacking, and part of ..a child’s fancy dress, smelling of petrol, at the seat of the fire. There was no sign of; anyone having forced an entry into the house.