FIRES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXXI, Issue 10257, 27 January 1894, Page 5

FIRES.

The police have received information that the stables at Kurcw parsonage were dsstroyed by fire at about a quarter past twelve yesterday morning. The fire broke out in some hay stored in the loft. The building was insured for .£350, and its contents for £l5O, in the South British Insurance Office. Information was also received from Kaikoura stating that a small building at Clarence bridge, used as a store-room, belonging to Mr James Johnston, had been burned down. The cause of the fire ia unknown. The place was insured for £SO in the Victoria Office. [Per Press Association.] NELSON, Jan. 26. An inquest was held to-day relative to the late fire at the Central School, the inquiry lasting till the evening. One witness, Mary Doe, a resident of Nile Street, nearly opposite the school, deposed to being awakened by the roaring of the fire and the barking of dogs. She looked out and saw the fire, opened her window and called out. She then went next door, and while looking saw a young man coming from the fire. She spoke to him, and he said was it not a shameful thing P He then walked away from the fire. She described the man, and ultimately identified William Baker, one of tho contractors for the building. She had never seen the man before or since. When she saw him it was a quarter of an hour before the Arabella rang. The verdict was—“ That the unfinished building known as the Central School was burned on Jan. 22, but thot there is no evidence of the origin of the, fire; that the jury is of opinion that there is sufficient evidence to warrant the policemaking further investigation.”