CAUSE OF FIRE
“WIZARD” SMITH LIBEL CLAIM. FURTHER EVIDENCE HEARD. Australian Press Association.) SYDNEY, October 27. Donald Harkness, giving evidence in “Wizard” Sniitu’s £20,000 libel suit, furnished theories concerning the cause of the fire in Smith’s car, but said the only conclusion that lie formed was that some foreign substance had caused it. Such a fire could be deliberately caused with a petrol-soaked rag, and with the engine running there would be no difficulty in picking up a spark and igniting th e rag. Norman Josephson, consulting engineer, deposed that it was not possible to cause a fire in the manner suggested 1 by the plaintiff, Smith. Witness expressed, ti.e opinion that the fire could be caused by the loosening of the clip of the petrol supply pipe, allowing the petrol to ooze out slowly and he become ignited by a. spark from one of the plugs.
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Bibliographic details
Hokitika Guardian, 28 October 1932, Page 5
Word Count
147CAUSE OF FIRE Hokitika Guardian, 28 October 1932, Page 5
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