THE LATE CUSTOM-HOUSESTREET FIRE: INQUEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5490, 21 June 1879, Page 5

THE LATE CUSTOM-HOUSE-STREET FIRE: INQUEST.

I An inquest was held at the Thames Hotel | yesterday afternoon, before Dr. Philson I Coroner, and a common jury, of which John C. Morrin was chosen foreman, to inquire how the Uto fire in Custom-house-street originated. After viewing the scene of the fire, the following evidence was taken :— Constable MeGilp deposed that he was standing at the head of the wharf about half past 11 p.m. oa Saturday, the Tthinst., whea he heard some one shouting. Th" I shout came from Custom house stree I '. He went in that direction, and saw smoke issuing from the premises of H. B. Morton. There were about six sailors already on the spot. Witness sent one of the sailors to give the alarm, which he did. He broke in a panel of the front door, which was securely fastened, and entered the store, -which was full of smoke. There was no smoke on the ground floor. He went upstairs, and saw the floor on fire. There were some small bags lying alongside. There was a strong smell of tar, but none of kerosene. He tried to go near the flames, to see if it was really tar burning, but the smoke prevented him. He made no further observations upstairs. He proceeded below, and there met

some more of the police, who kept the crowd back until the brigade arrived, which they did, about 20 minutes afterwards. There was a good supply of waler, and the flames were soon subdued. In answer to a question put by Mr. G. P. Pierce, of the New Zealand Insurance Company, the constable said he had orders to break into a house which was on fire if he thought there were any Jives to be saved. He did not know there was nobody on the premises. Mr. Pierce thought he would have done more good if he had kept the door closed. Sergeant-Major Mason said the witness had done a great deal of good at fires since he was in the force, owing to his punctuality in breaking into places on fire. Henry Reynolds deposed that he was a storeman, employed by Mr. H. B. Morton, late of Custom-house-street. He had been in his employ for five years. On Saturday, the 7th instant, he was all over the building about eleven o'clock in the momini>. He took several things out of the store that day. He took nothing upstairs that day. There were about fifteen bales of oakum in the store, but he did not think the fire originated in it. The only other combustible goods were some ropes and some brooms. There was no kerosene in the store; it was kept in a galvanised cellar, with an iron door. He shnt tho store shortly after two o'clock. The last thing he did before leaving was to sweep out the store. The second storeman and the carter left the store at the same time a3 ho did. He was not smoking in the store that day. There were about twenty cases of matches placed in the front of the store on the second floor. There were rats and mice in the store. A spark of fire might have come from an engine next door into the store. He had seen sparks coming from the engin-j. After he locked up he went home to Newton. He came down town again in the evening, about halfpast seven He did not go to the store. Nobody obtained the key from bis bouse that night, and ncbudy could get in at the door without it. He heard of the lire about 20 minutea past 12. He was in bed when the carter came and told him. He came down to the tire, and went upstairs. The place was all on fire. He believe the fire originated in a case of bottles of ink, packed up in straw.

Angus Campbell deposed that he was assistant-storeman at H. B. Morton's. He wa3 engaged on the diy in question in taking goods out of the store. He did not smoke iu the s Sore that day. There was an order against smoking in the store. He left the store between two aud threa o'clock, and went home. He came to town in the eveniug, but not to the store.

William Hemy Morton deposed that ho was at the store on the day in question, ife left about 1 o'clock. He was a brother u tl. B. Morton. He was engaged the whole of that day in the lower part of the building. There was nothing burning in the store that day. He was called at 2 o'clock on Sunday morning, and told that the store was on fire. He went down, and found tho store as stated. Everything was more or less damaged either by fire or by water. He estimated the lobs at £600 Q. He was insured for £4500. The stock consisted of oilmens' stores. The gas was turned off at the meter every night, and smoking was prohibited. Every precaution was taken against fire. He knew nothing of the origin of the fire. Mr. H. B. Morton was at present absent from home. His father was the head of the firm in his absence.

The jury retired to consider the evidence, and after some time returned an open verdict.