INSURANCE CLAIM

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 146, 23 June 1931, Page 8

INSURANCE CLAIM

WAIROA FREEZING WORKS EFFECT OF THE ’QUAKE (I’er Press Association.) GISBORNE, June 22. The insurance case was resumed io William Campbell, foreman fellmonger, deposed that after the ’quake on February 3 lie could see no damage to the building in which, he worked. The supply of water was norma]. Cross-examined he denied that the wool drier was damaged by the ’quake. In the room where the driers were there was no damage by fire. It was all by the earthquake. ►Stanley Morgan, a works employee, stated that after the ’quake he examined the freezing chambers fo> leaks in the ammonia pipes and found none. No damage had been done to the chamber inside or outside. On the day of the fire witness was engaged in getting trucks ready for loading. He was out working alongside C store and saw people and sightseers passing repeatedly. He had seen people putting cars, etc., under C store. Cross-examined, he said that there was a good deal of meat in the store. Some was stacked to tho ceiling and some half way, but if there had been damage he would have seen it for the stacks would have been knocked over. If there had been damage behind the heaps of carcases he could not have seen it.

James Simon Jessop, chairman of directors of the plaintiff company since tho company commenced in 1917, stated that he had been connected with the freezing industry in various ways for many years. The Wairoa works were almost entirely owned by the fanners in the district. Witness was at the works ten minutes after the ’quake. Ho saw that the chimney stack was down and the power was off. Ho proceeded to the power substation and found the transformers dislocated and it looked pretty bad. Returning from the sub-station ho was concerned for the safety of tho meat with the power disconnected, there being 47,000 carcases externally’ quite undamaged. and witness went on to the roof of C store. It did not. worry him as there was no meat in it, but it appeared to be quite undamaged. Between B and C stores some boards had sprung. Witness wired to the Central Committee at Wellington asking that, the Northumberland be sent as soon as possible to lift the meat. Later lie was advised from Waikaremoana that there was a reasonable chance of getting the power on. Continuing his evidence Air Jessop stated that, arrangements had been made to ship meat away on Friday after the ’quake, the lighters to be obtained from Gisborne. When witness heard of tho ammonia escaping arrangements were made for fresh supplies. When witness heard of the fire he arranged for the Gisborne office of the Eagle Star companies to be notified immediately. Witness visited Auckland later, interviewing the General Manager there who intimated that the company couldn’t accept responsibility. Air Jessep was anxious for finality about the matter as time was essential. There was no excitement or disorganisation following the ’quake. The meat works were thorouhly up-to-date. No steps were taken to put a steam plant into use after the ’quake as it was considered unnecessary when advice was received that power would be available the following morning.

Witness was cross examined at some length regarding telegrams sent to overseas agents in Wellington. These contained references to damage to “plant.” Air Jessep stated that the reference was to the power plant not to the works. Herbert Crichton, secretary of the Freezing Coy., gave corroborative evidence. Alfred Gordon Nolan, managing director, stated that the works were thoroughly overhauled each year and that, C store was in excellent order, though unusued for three or four years. During that time ammonia pipes there were removed and aired, while the electric current was not turned ou on the day of the ’quake. There appeared to be an urgent need to send the meat away because of the projected loading on the Friday. It was necessary to keep certain men late at the works on the night of the fire. Tho Court then adjourned until this morning.