INSURANCE CLAIM

Southland Times, Issue 21429, 25 June 1931, Page 8

INSURANCE CLAIM

FREEZING WORKS FIRE EVIDENCE OF ARCHITECT DAMAGE DETAILED .(Per United Press Association.) Gitborne, June 24. The hearing of the claim of the Wairoa Farmers' Meat Company against the New Zealand and Eagle Star Insurance Companies for £77,850 allegedly due in respect to damage caused to the company’s works by a fire on February 5, was continued in the Supreme Court, to-day, the whole of the morning being occupied in hearing further evidence by W. H. Gummer, an Auckland architect, regarding his inspection of the damaged buildings. Witness produced many photographs and gave a mass of detail concerning damage to each section of the works, stating that the effect of the earthquake had been very severe, many walls being cracked and other damage caused. Continuing his evidence, Mr Gummer stated that after full consideration he believed the damage to the fellmongery block was exactly what he would expect from an earthquake. There was no bracing in the freezing block, which was a post and beam construction. A study of the plans of the stores showed no roof bracing. The floors were superimposed and the pillars balanced one on top of the other which would cause undue sway in an earthquake. Witness believed that most of the cracks were the result of the earthquake. Cross-examined by Mr H. ■F. Johnston, witness admitted that he had only a small previous experience with freezing works, but based his conclusions on buildings of similar construction. The shattering of the columns in the mutton cooling room might have been caused partly through the expansion of metal support rods during the fire. He considered that drums of oil in the engine-room need not necessarily substantially increase the heat. This would depend where the drums were and on the kind of oil. Witness admitted omitting reference to bitumen covering the fellmongery floor, but stated that he did not think it made much difference to the heat, nor was he prepared to state that 300 bales of wool below the floor would produce 2000 degrees of heat. Witness did not know what inflammable material was in the bag.room. When melted metal fittings were exhibited witness said they did not necessarily indicate intense heat, adding that water on hot metal made a great difference. Witness said he was employed by the New Zealand Insurance Company to find out the damage caused, but could not assess the amount of the damage in money. Regarding ammonia cylinders, witness admitted hearing of one being blown 200 yards, but said he did not inquire into the effect of such explosions. After further lengthy examination the Court adjourned until to-morrow, with Mr Gummer still in the box.