THE FIRE ON THE TONIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13766, 3 June 1908, Page 7

THE FIRE ON THE TONIC.

CONTINUATION OF THE INQUIRY. [by telegraph.— association.] Wellington-, Tuesday. The inquiry into the file which recently, occurred on the White Star liner lonic was resumed to-day before Dr. McArthur, S.M., and Captain Blackburne and Mr. W. G. Foster, sitting as assessors. Mr. M. and Mr. A. Gray for the owners of the vessel. ' ■_.'■•■. (/. Captain A. Monro, assistant-secretary and wharfinger to the Harbour Board, who was on board the lonic during the fire and when hie burnt flax was discharged, said he thought the fire was caused by a bale of flax becoming ignited. The greatest difficulty was experienced in keeping the public who were smoking away from tow or flax which was being loaded. Alfred Seifert, president of the Flaxmillers' Association, said ib was not possible for matches to 'find their way into the centre, of a bale of flax, but if was possible for matches to get into the outside of bales when being sent away. No matches were allowed to be taken into the mills. Captain Jus. Evans, marine superintendent for the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company, put in a .statement showing that since 1901 no fires had occurred on ships carrying* wool "from Australia, but that fires had occurred on ships from New Zealand which carried both wool and flax. Captain Bendall. Lloyd's surveyor, said whatever else might have been the cause of the fire it was not spontaneous combustion. This closed the evidence, and the Court adjourned until 2.15 p.m. on Friday. | _________________ i • —!