INQUKST.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 607, 3 May 1870, Page 2

INQUKST.

The adjourned inquest on the late fire in Colombo street was resumed at the City Council Chambers, at two o'clock this afternoon. The following additional evidence was adduced : — Mrs Caroline Bradwell : I live in Colombo street, opposite the site of the late fire. I remember the night before the tire. I knew Mr Brownell's store. I stw a light in it between 8 and 9 o'clock in the evening. I saw nobody coming out or going in. I have on previous occasions seen Mr Brownell's cnrriage waiting for him outside after office hours. The light I saw might be that of a candle. I did not attach any importance to the fact of seeing a light in the building. By Mr Jameson : I cannot exactly say what time elapsed between my seeing the light in the building and that at which the fire broke out I think it was somewhere about one o'clock that I heard the flrebell. By the Coroner : I looked out of the window, and saw emoke at the back of Mr Brownell's building. Shortly afterwards the flames broke out. By Mr Jameson: I should think, but am not quite sure, thit it was nearer nine than eight o'clock when I saw the light. John Fraßer: I live in Montreal street. On the night previous to the fire I was going up Colombo street, about a quarter past nine o'clock. I couldn't swear that I saw anybody in Mr Brownell's store. I saw no lights. I didn't take any particular notice of the building. John Tozer recalled : No light could be seen outside from the place in which I left it. I didn't leave it burning for five minutes. I lighted the candle in the front room (the office), and then carried it into the store. I bad not been taking anything extra to drink that night. I might have taken a glass of beer between office hours and the time at which I returned to the 9 tore. By Mr Jamieson : I am quite positive that it was not 8 o'clock when I was in the store It was seven o'clock, or between that and half-past. This was all the evidence, and the jury returned a verdict to the effect that there was no evidence to show how the fire had originated.