INSURANCE CLAIM

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 148, 25 June 1931, Page 8

INSURANCE CLAIM

WAIROA MEAT WORKS EFFECT OF THE ’QUAKE [ I’er Press Association. J GISBORNE, June 24. T'he hearing of the claim by the Wairoa Farmers’ Meat Co. agains 1 the New Zealand and Eagle Star T surancc Companies for £7”.850, allegedly due with respect of damage caused, to the company’s works by a fire on February 5 was continued at the Supr me Court to-day, the whole morning being occupied in hearing further evidence by W. 11. Guminer (an Auckland architect) regarding his inspection of the damaged buildings. Witness produced many photographs and gave a mass of detail of the damage to each section of the works, stating that the effect of the earthquake had been very severe, many walls being cracked and other damage caused. Structure of BuildingContinuing his evidence, Mr Gummer stated that after full consideration he believed the damage to the fcllmongery block was exactly what one would expect from the ’quake. There was no bracing in the freezing block, which was a post anti beam construction. A study of the plans of .he stores showed no roof bracing, the floors were superimposed and the pillars were balanced one on top of the other, which would cause undue sway in a ’quake. Witness believed that most of the cracks were the result of the ’quake. Cross-examined by Mr 11. F. Johnston, witness admitted he had had only a small previous experiei.ee of freezing works, but based his conclusions on buildings of similar construction. The shattering of the columns in the mutton cooling room might have been caused partly through the expansion of the metal support rods during the fire. He considered that the fact of drums of oil being in the engineroom need not necessarily substantially increase the heat. This would depend on where the drums were and on the kind of oil. Even though tho oil were there and the brass fittings had melted, it would not alter his evidence materially. Witness admitted omitting reference to the bitumen covering of the fellmongery floor, but stated he did not think it had made much difference to the heat, nor was he prepared to state that 300 bales of wool below the floor would produce 2000 degrees of heat. Witness didn’t know what inflammable material there was in the bagroom. When tho melted metal fittings were exhibited, witness said it didn’t necessarily indicate intense heat, adding that water on hot metal made a great difference. Witness said ho was employed by the New Zealand insurance Company to find out the damage caused, but couldn’t assess tho amount of the damage in money. After further lengthy examination the Court adjourned until to-morrow. Gummer was still in the box.