A SUSPICIOUS AFFAIR.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXX, Issue 168, 20 July 1894, Page 3

A SUSPICIOUS AFFAIR.

[united kikes association.! WBLiiiNOTOH, July 19. An inquest was held into the inaipient fin on the premises formerly known as th< Branoh Hotel, Lambton Quay, but whioh ii now a boarding house. When the fire wa< discovered os Sunday last two separate bed rooms were on fire. The looal manager o the South British Company stated that tb< insurance on the furniture was £500, anc the looal manager of the National Insurance Company deposed the building wa9 insured for £750. Evidence was adduced that th< tenant, A. P. Brown, waß m arrears witl rent, and had made exouse for non-pay men 1 that business was bad. Fielder, who sup plied furniture, said it was insured m hii name. At the time of the fire,* Brown wai m arrears ef £75 m regpeot of weekly pay ments. Several witnesses who lived on the premises said they could not account for the outbreak. Brown admitted the correctness of the evidenoe that he was m arrears witb with renf and instalments on furniture, He could riot account for tbe fires, bul believed they were wilfully caused. He heard footsteps upstairß before tbe outbreak, apparently thoso of a man, but could not Bugjtest the aame of any person likely to fire the building.' Theinqoeat was adjouraed until next day.