FIRES ON WOOL AND FLAX SHIPS.

Otago Daily Times, Volume 13694, Issue 13694, 10 September 1906, Page 5

FIRES ON WOOL AND FLAX SHIPS.

(Per Unitid P*ms Assocunon.) ' CHR.ISTCHURCH, September 8. At tho sitting of tho Wool Commission to;da.y John W. Webb was called. Ho said ho had been working amongst flax for the past 28 years, and had exported flax, but never had it healed. Flax, if wet, would rot, and all rotting was practically slow combustion. Tho effect cf tho solar rays upon 1 wool would bo considerable.

Captain Willis said, in addition to his previous evidence, that many vessels had electro light wires run under shelter docks, which were of steel, and cargo was carried under them. The wires woro only slightly and if the return • circuit was carried wilh other wires fusing might easily bo caused through tho wires being pressed bv a bale of, wool or a package of cargo. That was a possible source, of danger. lie would suggest that the commission inspect somo of the steamers' wool. Sometimes theso vessels had insulated holds, and he had known of the insulation being saturated with moisture, and remaining in that condition throughout the voyage from New Zealand to England. 111 such a ease the wool would sillier from damp, and great danger would result. In some vessels the engine room bulkhead was not. insulated, and he had found this bulkhead very warm. Alexander Augustus Biekorton, Government analyst, said that, it was not necessary to go to dips for tho chemicals to cause fire, as theso were contained in the wool itself, and would act under tho proper conditions. 110 thought that there'was little chance of sterilising wool thoroughly, as tho insido might not bo affected by the process. A b:i!e of wool on fire in an insulated freezing chamber could, lie thought, bo frozen out. and it. might bo worth while lo consider the question of carrying wool in instated chambers. Tho commission at. noon adjourned till 10.30 on Monday, when an informal sitting will bo held. (