THE WAIRARAPA FIRE. Inquiry at Dunedin.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 129, 21 November 1885, Page 5

THE WAIRARAPA FIRE. Inquiry at Dunedin.

BUNEDIN, NOV 13. Ay inquiry into the circumstances attend* ing the fire on board the Wairarapa was opened here yesterday before Mr E. H. Carew, R.M., and Admiral Scott, Nautical Assessor. Mr Denniston appeared to watch the proceedings on behalf of the U.S.S. Co., am* Mr Sun for Captain Rowan, of Melbourne, a passenger. Captain Chatfield, master, gave evidence as to the fire being reported to him about half past 4 a.m. on the Ist inst, and as to his taking measures for its suppression. He gave orders that the vessel should go at full spsed to Gisborne, and when she arrived there the passengers were landed with the gold and mails. The usual watches were kept on deck, and one of the stewards kept night on the saloon deck. William Grigsby waa on watch at the time of the fire. The first steam pump was got ready about two minutes after the fire was discovered, and the deck service was working five minutes after. The regulations for subduing fires were carried out to the letter, The man who kept watch in the saloon went on at eleven o'clock and came off at 5a m. There were seven boats on the ship, one of which was being taken up to Gisborne. They were lifeboats, with a carrying capacity of 33, and the cutter would carry the fame number. The gig would carry 18, and the other boats 25. There were 91?9 1 ? passengers and a crew of 64. The boats were got ready and hung out in five minutes. Chemical hand-grenades were used, but proved not effective, as there was not proper access to the fire, Duncan Downie, chief officer, corroborated. John Dunlop, second steward, gave evidence that his cabin was about two yards from thelocker in which the fire commenced He was in bed, and was awakened about twenty minutes past four a m. by the glow of fire. He came out of his room, and went about two steps round the corner of the alley-way, but could not go further, the heat being too strong, in and about the bootroom there was a mass of flame. He immediately went up the after-compan-ion and shouted through the galley window that the ship was on fire. He also went to the skylight on the port side, and shouted down to the stewardess. A square kerosene lamp was kept fixed against the bulkhead in the cabin, in which cruets were cleaned. The lamp was fixed in a socket. He supposed that the fire originated by the lamp in the bootroom exploding. Grigsby, the boots, deposed that he went on duty at eleven p.m. He was told to visit an invalid lady during the night, He left the lamp in the bootroom and also a hand lamp, which he used while gathering up the boots, At three a.m. he visited the invalid and went to the chief steward's cabin. Before leaving the bootroom he turned down the light. He left his lamp in the alley-way and went to the smoking-room, to clean ib out. This was about ten minutes to four. While cleaning out the smoking-room, about a quarter-past four, he heard two ladies screaming " Fire." He went down the port side and got within six yards of the alleyway, but he could not'get any further. The flames were shooting out of the alley- way, and the heat was intense. He gave the alarm and went up to get the hose ready, The lamp in the bootroom was fixed in the bulkheads, and he did not shift it. He bad trimmed the lamp the previous morning, and filled it with kerosene. The boot-room was very hot, being next the engine-room. In his opinion, the fire originated in the bootroom. Babbits, the chief steward, and Edgeworth, the look-out, gave cori'Oborative evidence. The inquiry was then adjourned till Thursday, when evidence of damage will be given.

Sydney Lawn Tennis Association invite Auckland to send a team to a lawn tournament to be held at Moore Park, Sydney. Mrs Smithy as the summer is coming on, said she woald so much like a little change. Smith offered her two shillings and sixpence for half -a -crown.