A FIRE INQUIRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13226, 11 July 1906, Page 6

A FIRE INQUIRY.

[BY fELEGrtATH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT:.] Waihi, Tuesday. An inquiry 'into the circumstances in connection with the fire that occurred at Mrs. Muller's House, Mataura Creek, on June 21, took place at the Courthouse to-day, .before Mr. Max D. King, district coroner. The inquiry was adjourned in order to per-, mit the jury to inspect the scene of the fire. The journey was. taken in a brake, with five horses, and occupied some three hours, the party travelling over a route tit only for "the roughest of bush waggons. Margaret M'uller, the owner and occupier of the destroyed house, stated that she left the house between ten and eleven o'clock on the morning of June 21. She left thehouse secure, locking the door, and placing the key in its usual place, near the door. She could give no cause for the tire. She had an insurance of £35 on the building and £15 on the furniture and personal effects. The policy was taken out in'the London and Liverpool Fire Insurance Company. She estimated her loss at £30 over and" above the amount of the insurance. She had not yet put in a claim for the insurance. She thought the agent would have put- in.tho, claim. .."; She had removed nothing from the house since the insurance had been taken out, and it had contained the same furniture. Everything was burned excepting a meat safe, which Was outside. She lost all her personal -effects, excepting the clothes: on her back. The inquiry has not yet concluded.