UPPER HUTT FIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 272, 18 April 1914, Page 5

UPPER HUTT FIRE.

i *—- — ] FIXING THE RESPONSIBILITY. J EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The inquest on the Upper Hutt .lire victims was continued to-day. Henry Bolton, laborer, repeated that lie had purchased twelve sticks of gelignite from Benge and Pratt's store (the one burned) on March 20th. Herbert Leopold Pratt, a partner in the firm of Benge and Pratt, said lie usually did the buying fo the firm. During the week ended March 20th he w.is engaged in stocktaking. At the time of the lire he knew pretty well what stock was in the premises. The firm stocked blasting powder, gelignite, sporting cartridges, and powder and detonators. At the time <)£ the fire there was no gelignite on the premises. There was some carbide in stock, in the generating house. a separate building. Witness could not account for the explosion. Witness 1 was examined at length as to how the stocks of explosives had been disposed of. Mr. Morison, counsel for Benge and Pratt, complained of the milliner in which the witness was treated' by the police. Chief-Detective Jlroberg said ,he intended to >ift the matter thoroughly. The inquiry was adjourned till the j morning. |