THE DUNEDIN FIRE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 14399, 6 January 1911, Page 3

THE DUNEDIN FIRE.

CORONER’S INQUEST. Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, Dec An inquiry concerning tho fire which destroyed the Agricultural Hall buildings on the night of December 22 was held to-day before the Coroner, Mr. C. C. Graham. At the request of tho Fire Board, a report was made by the superintendent of the Fire Brigade, who stated that when the brigade arrived on the scene the water pressure was very light, bat when the Maori Hill valves were opened there was ample pressure. He was not prepared to state why the pressure wad so poor nhon the brigade started, but such a state of affairs had been noticeable at nearly all fires for some time, Thomas Tlarrison, a retired schoolmaster, said it was about 8.30 p.m. when lie discovered the fire. About tire corner of Water Street and Princes Street be saw a constable and informed him about the fire and asked him to ring up the fire brigade. Constable Havelock, the constable seen by Mr. Harrison, said he saw the latter about 8.44, p.m., and was informed there was a fire in the Agricultural Hal I buildings. Harrison asked him to ring un the station, but as Harrison was excited, and witness could pee no fire, he concluded it was a false alarm. At 8.50 he arrived at the police station, and informed Station-Sorge-ant King i.. the matter. Kiijg was about to give the alarm when the firebell rang. . . Thomas Ritchie, of tho firm of Waters, Ritchie, and Co., complained of tho inadequate water prefigure, and David Runson, secretary of tho National Electric Engineering Co., gave similar evidence. Tho latter also complained of faulty hose. # ’ William M'Curdle, acting city engineer, gave evidence regarding the water supply. He said that if the Maori Hill pressure was on all night the reservoir would empty i*«clf into others lower than itself. The only remedy was for the brigade to keen in touch with the state of water supplied at all times, and with the valves controlling mains. If the Woodhnugh and South valves were closed, there would be but the pipes in tho city were not designed to stand such pressure. Captain Mitchell said that was the whole' secret of the mains.

In giving his decision, the Coroner said there was no evidence as to the origin of the fire. It was extraordinary that it should have been burning bo long before it was discovered, with people actually on the promises. It was regrettable that there had been slight delay in notifying the brigade, and he thought Constable Havelock had committed an error of judgment in not notifying the brigade immediately he heard of the fire. The evidence did not lead him to think that the hose and other apparatus Were in anything but good order. It appeared that the water pressure at the start was not sufficient. This matter should be gone into very carefully by the Water Department and the Fire Brigade to see if a recurrence of inadequate pressure could be prevented.