INQUEST ON THE LATE FIRE AT ONEHUNGA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume III, Issue 682, 20 January 1866, Page 5

INQUEST ON THE LATE FIRE AT ONEHUNGA.

An enquiry into the origin of the Are which took place in an unoccupied dwelling-house at Onehunga, on Tuesday night last, was held yesterday afternoon at the Prince Albert Inn, in that town, before Dr. Philson, Ooronor, and a jury of twelve, of which Thomas O'Brien was chosen foreman. The jury having been sworn, proceeded to inspect the spot where the building was destroyed, and after returning from thonce tho following evidence was elicited: — Richard Tait, on being sworn, said: lam a carter, residing at Onehunga. On the evening of the 16th instant, at about liaif-past 11 o'clock, I was walking up Tra r algar-street,. in company with Thomas McQuoid, I noticed a light inside the house of Mr. Moore's in the said street. The light appeared to b i in tho lower part of the house. It was not in the fire place, but not far off from it. I went up to the house, stood on the fence in front of the house, and looked up to see where the fire was. I looked through the front window. The night was not very dark. I then raisod an alarm of firo. I saw no one in the house. I heard some ono walking across the house inside at the back. I went on to Mrs. Turner's, the next door neighbour, and acquainted them of the fire. I did not see any ono at Sirs. Turner's There was no light in the house. I then went to Mrs. Hill's house and warned her. Chas. Hill came to tho door. I asked him to remain by the fire whilst I went to apprize Mr. Moore of the conflagration. When I returned to the scene of disaster I found a large crowd assembled. Mr. Moore, jun„ had at this time arrired on the spot. By a Juryman: I first saw the fire in the upper front room, to the right of the hail-d!oor.

_ Chas. Hill deposed as follows: lam a carter, residing in Trafalgar-street, Onehunga. My reeidenc{ ia about ninety yards from the building destroyed. When called by Mr. Tait on Wednesday night las! X came out of my mother's house and spoke to him. I also saw Thos. McQuoid standing at the corner oi the allotment. They told me that there was a house on fire-, mid asked me if there were any men about. 'I ait and M.cQuoid were perfectly sober. X went to the hous' with them, and knew that it belonged to Mr. Moore. I knew that the house was "unoccupied. When I arrived on the spot I saw that one corner of the house was completely on,fire. It was the upper corner. Tho flames were breaking outside at this time. I did not go into the house. Whon I first went to the house, the door was shut, X did not see or hear anyone in the house, I heard somo person walking ia the house four or five night's before it was burnt down. I havo never beon in the houso myself. Wm. Miller, sworn, said: lam a pensioner, residing in Trafalgar-street, Onehunga. On Tuosday night last I was passsng up the street about 11 o'clock, in company with Mr. Brierly. "We observed the fire about ltfO yards off. This was at tho turn of the road. "When we got close to the fire we heard a man exclaiming " Fire!" We saw that it was Mr. Moore's house. Tho door was about half open, and the flames were bursting out the front ot the house. I could not get inside as it was too hot. I did not. observe either of tho last witnesses when I arrived on the spot. In a short time after the alarm of fire was given numbers of peoplo assembled. There was no water near at hand. The building was entirely I destroyed in about half an hour. 1 can give no opinion tis to the crigin of the fire. Mr. James Moore, the proprietor of t'>o house, proved that the house was not occupied at the time of its beiug burned down, nor had it been occupied for the previous four months. Mr. Mooro also stated that the liouso had beenrecontly undergoing repairs, and tha: he intended to go into it to reside shortly. The house was insured in the Now Zealand Insurance Company's Offico about three years ago for £200. He was absent at Big Muddy Oreek when the fire occurred. Polico Constable Lloyd deposed to the fact that nothing had been ascertained by the polico as to the origin of tho fire, &c. The ovidenee cf Mr.->. Mooro wus also taken, but nothing was elicited to show how the firo originated. The jury brought in the following verdict: — " That the fire, by which Mr. James Moore's houso in Trafdgar-stroet was destroyed on Tuesday night, January L'-tll inst., originated under mysterious circumstance*, but whether the said lire was accidental or otherwise, from the ovidenee laid before them, tho jury ara unable to determine."