THE WAIHI FIRE INQUIRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12229, 26 March 1903, Page 6

THE WAIHI FIRE INQUIRY.

»■ REMARKS BY THE CORONER. THE VERDICT. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Waihi, "Wednesday. Some 18 witnesses were examined in connection with the recent fire in Main-street, the inquiry lasting until four o'clock this morning. W. 11. Ross, one of the principal witnesses, was in the witness-box from seven o'clock last night till close on half-past eleven. There was a very large attendance of the publio during the progress of the inquiry, amongst those present being a number of ladies. Tho proceedings were watched with interest up to close upon midnight, when the crowd gradually diminished. Quite a large number, however, waited on till the small hours of the morning and heard the conclusion of the case.

The coroner, in reviewing the evidence, stated that they had gone exhaustively into the matter. The three issues which the jury would have to consider were:—l. Was the fire accidental ? 2. Was it the wilful act of some person or persons '.' oi (3) was there not sufficient evidence to show how the fire occurred ? The evidence showed that there were very suspicious circumstances connected with the fire. First, there was the evidenco of three witnesses as to the smelling of kerosene in the passage-way. The fireman had directly stated that the hose had been interfered with, several lengths having been put into a reversed position on the hose reel; that damaged hose had been wound round the reel; that on the last occasion the firemen were in the brigade station everything was in order, and on no occasion before the one in question had the couplings been other than a3 they were left. The firemen's evidence showed conclusively that they had been tampered with, and it was hardly reasonable to suppose that the brigade members would bring discredit on themselves. Mr. W. H. Ross, in giving his evidence, suffered from a bad memory. It was remarkably good in some instances and in others it was remarkably bad. In giving their verdict there were also the insurances to consider. The witnesses interested declared York House to bo worth £750. Mr. A. Y. Ross stated that money to the amount of £750 passed through his hands, yet when asked to give these details he had said that it was impossible to give a detailed statement of the cost of York House. On the other hand, the jury must consider the possibilities of accident. Kerosene might have been accidentally spilt or a lamp overturned. It was clear that the origin of the fire occurred in W. 11. Ross' billiard-room. In answer to the coroner, the jury intimated that they would like to retire. They retired for about an hour and a-half, when they returned and delivered the following verdict in writing: "We find that the fire originated in W. H. Ross' billiard-room, but the origin of the fire is not disclosed in the evidence, though the whole matter is surrounded by very suspicious circumstances. Wo further find that.the property was overinsured, the owner's valuation of the property being excessive, and the owner's interest in York House was not so great as the amount insured. We also desire to say that we feel the deepest sympathy for Mr. N. A. Pearce in his loss, and consider his interest in the building had not been properly conserved by the owners. We would recommend that further inquiries be made by the police."