INQUIRY INTO FIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20086, 25 October 1928, Page 14

INQUIRY INTO FIRE.

WAIKINO BOARDING HOUSE. HUSBAND AND WIFE'S EVIDENCE. | lIY '11:1.UO HA I'll. —OWN COIUIESI'ONDE.Vf. ] WAIIII, Wednesday. The circumstances of flic destruction by fiio early on the morning of August 31 of a seven-roomed house and its contents at Waikino, owned and occupied by Mrs. Josephine A. McPike, were tho subject of an inquiry in the Waihi Courthouse to-day, before the district coroner, Mr. W. M. Wallnutt. Police-Sergeant D. L. Cahvell conducted the inquiry. Mr. E. J. Clendon, of Thames, represented Mrs. McPike, and Messrs. C. Hankin and A. Bolter watched the interests of the Guardian Assurance Company and tlie Royal lnsurai.ee Company respectively. The first witness was Mrs. McPike's husband, Frederick McPike, who said he went to bed between 10.30 and 11 o'clock on the night beforo tlie fire. His wife had gone to bed a little earlier. After describing how he had been awakened by a sound as if the ceiling were falling, and detailing the subsequent movements of himself and family, witness said so far as ho knew no lights had been left turned 011 and no gas was connected. The wood tire in the living room had burned out before they went to bed, but there might have been a fire, in the kitchen stove. As far as he was aware, no inflammable material or volatile liquids wero kept on (lie premises, and he could not account for the outbreak, which, in his opinion, had originated at the top of the building over tho kitchen. Witness knew very little of his wife's financial position, and had nothing to do with the running of the house for boarders. He know nothing of the financial arrangements for the purchase of the house, and had no idea as to Mrs. McPike's financial obligations. Josephine McPike, now living in Ancleland, said she had bought the Waikino property five years ago in her own name. She was unable to say how or where tho fire started, but sho thought it originated in the kitchen. The business was run by herself, and was profitable nt first, but had been worth nothing for six months. The property was mortgaged for £228. Apart from about £SO to tho grocer, sho owed only small accounts. Witness valued tho house, which was insured for £225, at £6OO, and the contents, insured for £360, at between £7OO and £BOO. Sho said sho bought the house in 1924, taking out a mortgago for £IOO, and paying £6O cash. Tho mortgage had later been increased to the present amount, £228, by Mr, 11. IT. Shaw. The £l2B difference was to recompense him for bis stores account. After further evidence had been heard tho inquiry was adjourned until to- [ morrow morning.