ADJOURNED CORONIAL INVESTIGATION.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 13168, 26 July 1911, Page 6 (Supplement)

ADJOURNED CORONIAL INVESTIGATION.

INTENTIONALLY SET-ON FIRE. Juno 30. The coronial investigation' into the circumstances connected with the fire which .destroyed-Mr F. \V. House's stables in Ngatitama street on the,* morning-of June sth last was continued yesterday by Mr J. S. Evans, S,M. Sergeant Mullany represented the police, Mr C. JR. Fell appeared on behalf of Mr F. W. Haase, and Mr P. B. Atlcinson watched proceedings for a (client whose name was not disclosed. The evidence of the witness, Percy Collier, which was not concluded at the previous hearing, was continued. He stated that he would be only too pleased to assist Mr Haase in clearing up the matter of the fire. It was a day or two after he gave the police the iirst statement (that he was not m Nelson on the night of the fire) that he Tememberecl that lie had made a mistake. He did not think it was necessary to inform the police that he was in Nelson. He was upset when spoken to by the police, because any man would bo upset when spoken to by the police on such a matter as that—he was. On Sunday, when cycling to Nelson from Motueka, lie spoke to Cecil Dixon at the Appleby crossing. He remembered speaking to Roy Bray in Waimea road near the Rising Sun Hotel, on Sunday afternoon, but he did not remember speaking to a man named Smith that day. On the morning of 15th Juno (the day after lie gave his first statement to the police) he remembered speaking to Mr F. A\. Haaso, but he did not tell him that he knew who burned the place down. He denied saying that "Jack Hurling and no one else burned the place down. At this stage witness asked the Magistrate if there was any charge laid ngainst him. He objected to being "pulled to pipces." The Magistrate said that there was no charge against him, but witness had made a statement to the police which was shown to be untrue. Continuing witness said that lie remembered Haase stopping the carpenters from hammering, and remembered Haase asking l»im when he was last in Nelson. He "told him about five weeks ago. (i.e. five weeks before the loth June.) It was no business of Mr Haase's where he was, and it was no advantage to him to tell him any untruth He told Mr Haase he would assist him to discover the cause of the fire if he could. He mi<'ht have told Mr Haase that he-had several enemies in town—it was n well known fact. On liis arrival in Nelson on the 4th of June he posted a letter addressed to a Mrs Atkinson, also one to Wellington. The letter (produced) was the letter lie wrote. It was written the day before, and in it ho asked her to find out certain things as he would not he in Nelson for about three weeks. He could not explain why he posted the letter whon he could, have called upon her. The letter was written and stamped and he thought he might as well post it. He had said to Haase that a certain man had said that Haase would wake up one morning and find his stables burned down. He had never told Mrs James Haase that lie would get even with the old man and would like to see him roasted out. When he worked at Haase s he and Charlie Haase occupied the same room. He never told the latter that ho would like to sec the whole — place burned down. At the present time lie was staying at the Panama Hotel, and he stayed there on the 14th whon he was in Nelson. He had not been to his father's place during his present stay in Nelfon. He had not lyid conversation with his father or stepmother, although he had seen them. On the day before the enquiry he asked to see his statement of the llth in order to see what he had said. By Mr Fell: Ho could not say whether anyone from his father's place went to'the fire at Haase's. Nobody was up when he left Nelson for the Moutere on the morning of June sth. The first he heard of tho firo was from Pike when ho returned from playing football at Nelson on a Sunday night. By the description of the fire given by Mr Haase, and what he had read in the papers he told Haase that he had come to the conclusion that the place had been set alight. Ho told Haasp what a certain man had said, and Haase remembered it. Haase mighf have asked him whore ho was on the nicht of the fire. He did not think he said to Haase that he (witness) could prove that he was nut in Nelson on tlir nicht of the fire. He did not remember saying he could bring four witnesses to prove that be was not in Nelson on the night of the fire. In answer to further questions witness said he believed he told Ha.-'se lie cmilil bring Pike, Yevsev and Teere to prove that he was not in Nelson on the night of the fire. Haase said he was gl:;< for his (Collier's) sake that he coulc? prove where he was. Witness said hr relied, "Good God, surely you don t think I was in it." As far as he knew he was on good terms with Haaso. He admitted Haase had eiven him r thrashing once. Haase had often com plained that his work was not up to the mark. Haaso might have called him "a waster" when ho letter sonicthing to that effect. Haaso had toic him several times when he was on night duty to be careful of firo, and that he would not take an accident asan excuse. . . The Coroner at this stage said that m view of the turn the examination hat taken the witness w:<s entitled to call evidence if he desired to do so. • Witness snid ho could bring evidence as to his whereabouts on that night. , Mr P. B. Atkinson was then granted permission to appear for Mr Collier. ..i Examined by Mr Atkinson witness said on the night of the fire he resided with his own people and slept at then house. He did not hear the nrobells. and did not go to the fire, 'i he reason he had not gone back to stay with his parents was on account of a letter he had received from them. Up till the fire ho had always stayed there. By the Coroner: The letter referred to had reference to some business between his father and himself, lie had the letter with him and could pro duco it. . On the evidence being read over witness altered a statement that ho had made to the effect that lie could bruit Pike, Veysey and Teece to prove where he was on the night of the fire. Frederick William Haase, cab proprietor, stated that he siiw the stables at 8 p.m., or a little after, on June 4th and everything then was perfectly safe Up till about 30 o'clock that evening a strong south cast wind was blowing. His loss he estimated at £1100, less £500 insurance, up til a few days before the fire there was only £100 insurance on the stables am: contents. About six weeks before he spoke about increasing the insurance. When he went to pay the premium on the £100 the agent persuaded him tc increase the amount to £500. \\ hen he was aroused the flames were cominp from th* back part of the stables. In his opinion the fire originated in two loose boxes at the western end of the stables—near to the school. The track through the school ground was used chiefly by Collier, and occasionally by his son, although he had forbidelen them to use it. He was positive the fire was not caused by accident. There was no wind at the. time of the fire The two loose-boxes were clean.burned up before the roof of the stables fell in. The nearest light was 30 feet, away from these loose boxes. There was no fire near the gas jet when he went out—not even in the loft. There were no matches t>r candles left about the stables. When he knew the ptnbles wereon fire he'shouted, "The deed's done"! He was not a bit sur-rvvisMJ-H-after what -he had" been told TTp hnd always had a fear of fire; and bad refused to continue' to play at the rrrhhnrrp, turnament On' tbnt accountTWny Harling had never, in bis nrop^iop. made a remark nhout th« s+nb--7«... Kring sot on fire. He told Collier wbert he was leavinc; that he was nn trtter wnste.r,: ard should never work fOr him *%nm. Collier had never made

pjtuSoi tii jo, uitq s^Boiq^ &ay to his property.' On isth o£ June Collier called to see him. In reply to witness Collier said lie did not think the fire Was an accident. He (witness) said he expected some sympathy from him before that, and Collier replied, '■'Good God, boss, I've never been out of the camp /for five weeks, since the 14th May." The first Coliler said he heard of the lire was from Pike, and -lie told him that ho. did:not believe it until he saw it irt the paper. Witness said to Collier, "Did you not pass the time of eVening with Mrs Cox on the Sunday evening," and lie (Collier) replied no, that she waa mistaken.VCollier said, "Good God, I can bringiPike, Veysoy and Teeco to prove .that I have not been away from the camp," They went to the new sfables^and he (wity ness) asked the men to stop working while ho asked Collier a question. The men stopped and he asked Collier if ho was in town on Sunday night. Collier replied that he was in Motueka at the camp : that he had not been in Nelson since the 14th of May—five weeks; and that ho could prove it by Pike. Veysey and Teece. Witness replied that .he was glad for Collier's sake, and they walked away. They discussed the fire aiiel Collier, mentioned a conversation that bad taken place between Hailing and. witness on the cab stand. Witness sa*d that ho had no recollection of the conversation with Harling. He (witness) did not suspect any cabman. Collier told him on the 15th that his work would be completed in a fortnight, and he would do all he could to help witness find out who set the stables on fire.

By Mr Fell: He asked for the enquiry to take place. By Mr Atkinson: On F-riday, 2nd of Juno, he increased the insurance to £500. The insurance of £100 had been in existence for a good many years. He had five landaus. One lie had for-90 years he valued at £80. It cost him £60, but he spent another £60 on it. He valued another landau he had had for eight years at £80—this was saved Another he paid £130 for. and two others, which he paid £150 eacli for. It was not a fact that he greatly over valued his plant—he had undervalued it. He told the insurance agent (Mr Goo. Rout) before ho increased his insurance, that ho was afraid of fire. A week before tlio firo ho told Mr Cox, a cab driver, tlio same thing. It was not a fact that he had enemies in Nelson—he hoped not after living hero far fifty years. There was not a oauman in Nelson who had not offered liim assistance. Ho was not a particularly violent man. He had no particular feeling against Collier. Ho obtained the letter from sirs Atkinson, who was his daughter. She showed it to him immediately it was opened at his house.

By the Coroner: The insurance company settled with him immediately, and expressed sympathy with him. Ho offered to accept from the insurance company two landaus and four horses in settlement of the claim, but they would not entertain tlie offer. Charles Otto Haase, son of the pre vious witness deposed that he and Collier had occupied the same room at the stables. Several times Collier had sai 1 that ho would not care a d if the stables were burned down in front . f him. Another night when finishii" the liqrses in tlie stables Collier mads a similar remark in the presence of Jus little brother and another. By Mr Atkinson: These romarks were made a month or tivo before. On the last occasion whon Collier made tho remark in the stables was about a fortnight before he left. He tojd his hither what Collier had said in the stables. He did not take Collier's remarks seriously.

■Henrietta Haase, wife of James Haase, deposed that asbout three weeks before Collier left he said' to her that ho wished tho blooming show would bo burned down—that was all the ham lie wished him (Mr Haase). She w«s then keeping house for Mr Haase ul ile he and her husband wore at Wa-iiM-moa.

By Mr Atkinson : She told Mr II- re what Collier had said that vv3ni,vr. Collier remained in Haase's employ for three weeks after that.

Charles Bebarfald, engine driver who lives next door to Mr F. W. Haase stated that, in his opinion, tlio fire started at the western end of <l'e stables.

Hilda Edith Roay, wife of Ri.-'wd .Hcay of Waimea street, and dui'iliter ?! ?,'•'" J-"* lfnilse> deposed that wi-ei. C.'llier came, back to \vo"it for ■■.•r l;>+her again she expressed surpii'c, and Collier had replied I'l.-tt he' >.:;r] '■■I. lie for'purposes of liis> o-.vti Hi.. s\"i ho expected to stay a month ci.d one morning they would wako up to" find him gone.

By Mr Fell: At the time this conversation took place she was not on friendly terms with her people, and Collier knew this.

This closed tlio oridence for the police.

Mr Atkinson called, James Collier, cutter, father of Percy Collier, who romembored his son coming from Motueka on Sunday, the Ith of June, and remaining at his house that night. Ho went to bed that night about 11 o'clock, and his son made preparations to go to bed. By Sergeant Mullany: He did not see his son go to bed. Ho was the last up. If his son had been able to get his bicycle lamp to light ho. would have gone back that night, but as he could not he asked his son to stay. His- wife heard the firebells that night. Laura Beatrice Collier, wife of the previous witness, deposed that Percy's bed was slept in on the night of the lire, and that she heard him coughing during the, night. She corroborated her husband's evidence in other particulars.

By Sergeant Mullany: She heard I ercy get up about six o'clock in the morning, and ho said goodbye before leaving. He was in bed some time •mer twelve (midnight) because she heard him coughing. A little boy who slept in the same room as Percy did not hear the bells.

I'iiilalie McArtney, daughter of Mrs Collier, stated she heard Percy Collier moving about on the bed and coughimr during the night of June 4th. Percy slept in the room next to hers. She heard him get up next morning between 5.30 and 6 o'clock.

By Sergeant Mullany: It was quite tour « clock that morning before she got to sleep, as she was suffering from neuralgia.

B.v Mr. Fell : She did not hear Percy between tho timo she heard him in the passage (about 11 o'clock) till about -mdniglit. Percy told her that he had :ome over unexpectedly, as ho had obtained the loan of a bicycle. F. \V. Haaso, recalled.' stated that tho firebells did not ring for fully twenty minutes after he got up. He tried to ring up the Police Station, but could not get-an answer. Ho Mould say that it was about 1.40 when the -first bell rang. Neighbours hoard the horses kicking in the stables between 12 and 1 a.m., but did not <ret up. "

This closed the evidence. The Coroner said that on the evidence he must come to the conclusion that the stables were intentionally set on tiro, but there was no evidence to indicate by whom they were set on fire. - No" blame was attached to any or the Haase family, and there was no suspicion of Mr. Harling, .whose name had been mentioned.

Mr. Atkinson applied for witness' exnonses for Co'lier.

The Coroner said Collier's own conduct had been the cause of the enquiry and he declined to "make . an order, as to dosts. This did not mean!that suspioinnwns thrown on Collieri

Mr. Fell, on behalf of Mr. Haase, said that his client had never entertained the slightest suspicion of Mr. Harling. ' ' ...