INQUIRY INTO FIRE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 285, 30 October 1934, Page 8

INQUIRY INTO FIRE.

EVIDENCE CONTINUED.

Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 29. The inquiry into the origin of the fire at the warehouse of Davidson and Co., Ltd., 168 Lichfield Street, earlv in the morning of June 8, was continued before Mr E. D. Mosley (Coroner) to-day. „ Continuing lus evidence, A. KSmith, insurance adjuster, said that h° had. examined the premises and thought the fire was not sufficient to destroy without leaving a trace any stock in more than a small quantity. “A remarkable thing, said witness, “was that I found a quantity of wax vestas intact. They were about two-thirds of the length of the building from the southern wall.” Evidence was given by several witnesses ms to transactions —some sales and some purchases —of their firms with Davidson and Co. The inquiry was adjourned until tomorrow.

THIS MORNING’S HEARING

SEVERAL AVITNESSES CALLED

Per Press Association

CHRISTCHURCH. Oct. 30. The inquiry into the origin of the fire at the warehouse of Davidson and Co., Ltd., Lichfield Street, on the morning of June 8 was continued before Mr E. D. Mosley (Coroner) today.

Thomas Vogan, proprietor of the Kasli and Karry Stores, said he had purchased tea from Davidson and Co. He bought the cartons from another firm and required Davidson and Co. to pack the tea in those cartons. The cartons were the property of witness. If Davidson claimed 29s for 1000 “IvKK” tea cartons he would be claiming for witness’s property. Francis Albert Liddiard, a salesman in the employ of H. AV. AVauehop, said his firm’s warehouse was close to that of Davidson and Co. He knew Davidson’s car, which was a reddish brown sedan.

“On the evening prior to the fire,” said witness, “I was at a card party at a house almost opposite Davidson’s warehouse. I left between 12 and 1 o’clock in the morning and I noticed Davidson’s car parked a few feet from Madras Street. The time would then be approximately 0.30 a.m. There was no one in the car and there were no lights in front of Davidson and Co.’s building.” AA'itness, questioned by the Coroner, said he was certain it was after midnight when he saw the car in the street.

Gordon Shaw, a storeman at AVauehop’s warehouse, said he was at the same card party as Liddiard and left within a few minutes of him. It would have been between 11.30 p.m. and 0.30 a.m. that he saw Davidson’s car, with which he was familiar.