MING QUONG'S FIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11059, 10 May 1899, Page 6

MING QUONG'S FIRE.

AN OPEN VERDICT. THE INSURANCE COMPANIES! CENSURED. The inquiry into the origin of the recent fire at Ming Quong's store was resumed yesterday, before Mr. John Bollard, M.H.R., and a jury of six. Tho. whole of (lie forenoon was occupied by tho jury in going into Ihe items of accounts prepared by Ming Quong. At the afternoon sitting, the evidence being concluded, the Coroner thanked lite jury for the careful attention they had given to this ease, ami then summed up. IJe pointed out that there was a discrepancy in the evidence of the European and Chinese witnesses who saw the fire. Willi regard to tho quantity of goods in the store before the fire, they had the evidence of the carters, who said that there was very little in the store, and he asked them to weigh this evidence with that of the Chinese witnesses. Tho servant, Mary McDonald, in her evidence, stated thai Ming Quong had told her that his loss would lie about £400. That statement did not tally with any statement, made by Ming Quong. There appeared to be nothing improbable in the idea that Ming Quong had received £60 from his brother while ho owed him money, hut the statements made by Ming Quong as to tho amount of his debts were contradictory. Tho suggestion put forward by the police was that Ming Quong, having insured his stock for £1520, had very little stock in his store, and would be largely benefited by losing his stock, and had thereby a motive for making a false declaration, and defrauding the insurance companies. Referring to the amended claim of £875 lis 3d, as fatas ho could see, thero was no evidence to shake it except that of the carters. Ming Quong had brought no evidence to prove that lie had put in any goods between the time of removal of a quantity by the carters and the dato of the fire, and it was for the jury to say whether Ming Quong' statement that the store was full with tho exception of a narrow passage was t.ruo or not. The question as to whether Ming Quong wilfully made p. talso declaration for tho purpose of defrauding tho insuranco companies would form no part of their verdict, but might appear as a rider should tho jury think fit. Ho asked them to consider the following questions(l) Was Ming Quong's storo wilfully set on fire, and, if so, by whom? (2) Was Ming Quong's store wilfully set on fire by some person or persons unknown? (3) Was it accidentally set on fire? (4) Is there any evidence to show tho causo of tho fire? At a quarter to two p.m. tho jury retired to consider their verdict. After a retirement of two hours, the jury found tho following verdict That tho store ot Ming Quong was burned down on tho first day of March, 1399, and that no evidence of the origin of the said fire doth appear to the said jury." The following rider was added:—"That the jury is of opinion that tho amended claim as put in is correct, and as regards lite first claim, the great excitement under which Ming Quong was suffering at the time lie made it out is sufficient reason for the mistakes made, and the jury further consider that the agents of the insurance companies interested are deserving ol censure for taking such a largo sum of insurance risk without having first made a thorough inspection of the building and its contents." The Coroner intimated that tho verdict would be forwarded to the proper authorities. Detective Kennedy said that with the consent of the coroner ho would take charge of all books and documents which had been produced, pending any proceedings that might be taken in the case.