INQUIRY.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8553, 22 May 1895, Page 3

INQUIRY.

Fire at Smiley's Stables. •At the Courthouse this (Wednesday) morning,' sn inquiry was held by Mr O. O. Kettle (coroner) into theoironmstanoes surrounding the fire at Smiley's Stables on the night of the I3th instant. Tan following jury was empanelled : — Messrs James Murray, Thomas Blfinnerhassett, Peter 6ell, J. E. Sharps, Bdwin Moult, and W. ' HoJden. Mr Bell was ohoien foreman. ■ Mr Birniooa't appeared for Mr Smiley, ■ the owner of the premises. After some opening remarks by the Oottner, it was deemed neoessary to view the scene of the fire, and an adjournment was made accordingly. On returning, Sergeant Cullen, who conducted the inquiry , called Mrs Miza smiley, wife of the owner of the premises, who gave evidenoe to the effect that she resided in a house close to the stables just off the Avenne. On the night of the fire, betwesn 10 and 10.80, her attention was attracted by smoke in tho kitchen and passage. Went out into the balcony (over-looking part of the stables) J and noticed clouds of smoke issuing from the •tables. She awakened the children and one of them wm sent' to tee if any of the men were about. Went down the stone steps and found a blaze in one of the horseatsUs. Noticed that the straw was piled against the walls of the box. Turned the top where the hose is laid on and helped to put out the fire. By this time one of the cabmen tookoutthe horses and other people had gathered on the scene, including a young man, whose name she did not know, and her •on Eraeit. It was before this the bell rang. Had seen none of her sons that night previons to tbe outbreak. Neither of her sons lived at home, the reason being that they did not agree very well with their father. Had heard no suggestion of any one setting the plaoe on fire, and had no idea as to the By Mr Barnicoat— There was nobody in the house except herself and the children. By the Coroner — As far as she could remember there had been three previous fires on the premises, all sseming to break out in the big stablss, Timothy Sullivan, cabdriver in the employ of Mr Bmiley, went to the atablea on the night of the fire after the arrival of the 10.10 train. Unharnessed the horses and having shut the iron gate leading to the the stables went into the office tut a few minutes and then went to bed, about five minutes afterwards beard the fire bell. Heard an alarm raised by Mrs Smiley and ran up, but by that time the fire was nearly out ' Did not see Annon with young Smiley at the stables. He heard Mr Bmiley say that he knew who set the plaoe on fire. The only way anyone could enter the stables, except by the front gate, would be by the gate leading past Mr Smiley's front door. After the fire he notiaed some burnt hay »nd h^rse feed in the box, and also some hay on the washing stage, apparontly taken from behind the stage. By Mr Barnieoat— There were two grooma— Maxßaeur aad Hueh Carson—besides himself sleeping on the premises that night. Xbs first he saw coming to tho fire wm one of the policemen and "Rrneit Smiley. The police arrived about the same time as the firemen. By the Foreman— Anyone knowing that the iron goto wan only bolted could open it from the outside. By the Benoh^-Ik 'had been the onstom since he bad been at the st-ibles to simply bolt this gate. He had seen it looked sometimes. O. M. Bauer, efcableman in the employ of Mrßmiley, said he wa* in the stable on the night of the fire. It was about 10 80 before they turned in. After he was in bed he heard the firebeU, got up and the first person he saw in the yard was B. Smiley. Witness went up to where Snllivan was with the hose, but could not say whether young Smiley went also. Mr Smiley was away from the stable at the time of the alarm, and when he returned witness heard him make some remark about knowing who set the place on fire. Cross-examined— The stall where the fire I occurred had not been used for some time. He did not see a sign of hay in it during the day. He did not hear an altercation between Mr Bmiley and the Sergeant. By the foreman— There was a little feed in the manger underneath the bnrnt hay. There was no particular rule about smoking, but no one was allowed to smoke in the •tolls. Hugh Carson, stableman, gave similar evidence. When he went into the yard ho met young Smiley at the big back door. J&otiewl otiher people oozni«g from the

front. While Mr Smiley was showing tho burnt straw in the manger, witness tucked the hay round to the sand stall, pointing it out to the head groom, who showed it to Smiley. Rogers cleaned up the sand stall between 8 and 4, so there was no hay on the Boar, mnd should nob hare been thai: night. He heard Sereeant Oullen ask Mr Smiley was insured, and for how muohi Smiley replied that he was insured, but did not know for how much until he looked at his books. They then went to the stall where the fire was and witness hoard the Bergeant say to Smiley " You brought this hay here." There was something else said witness did not catch. Mr Smiley got into an awful temper and thought he was accused. Witness thought so too. Heard Mr Smiley say that the hay should be kept clean, but did not see the police interfere. By Sergeant Cullen— Would swear that he heard the Sergeant use the words he had stated. Was standing behind Mr Smiley at the time. He did not deny, in the presence of others, that he had heard anything of ehe kind. Mr Smiley had not npoken to him about the conversion. Told j Mr Smiley he heard the words, but the latter had not asked him. Thought from the first that the Sergeant meant to accuse Mr Smiley. Did not hear Mr Smiley say to ths Sergeant that a young man told him (Sergeant Cullen) that he would set fire to tho place. About two minutes after the Sergeant used the words, witness heard Mr Smiley calling Sergeant Oullen a liar and a coward, and ordering him off the premises. He did.not go. Mr Smiley was very excited that night. At tbi* stage the Ooure adjourned aatil 2 o'clock. On the Court resuming ' William J. Smiley, a son of Mr Smiley, stablekeepsr, said he remembered the night of the fire at his father's plaoe. He was in the Avenue for about a quarter of an hour in the evening with J. Annon, his brother Ernest, and A. Murray. At about 7.30 his brother, Annon, and bimielf went down t# the Rutland billiardroom. Murray going to the bandroom. Witness went into the room and the two others went away. Witness went from the billiardroom to the bandroom at about 8 80, and found Annon and Ernest there. . Witness and Annon remained at the bandroom until about 9.45, but his brother went away about 9.20. Witness next saw him after the fire, standing xn the passage of his father's house. When he and Annon left the bandroom they stood at the corner above Chavannes' for a little while and went home about 10 o'olook and remained until the bell rang. His brother stayed with them, but was not home until after the fire. He had not. heard of anyone being suspeoted of estting the place en fire, and did not know how it originated* Annan left his fathor,s employ owing to a disagreement, and consulted a lawer about getting his wages. By the Benoh— When he arrived at the fire he saw his brother standing in the passage of hi* father's house* He did not know where hi* brother went when he left the bandroom. By Sergt Onllen— He did not go into the house, as he had no reason to do so. James Annan, grrom, said he had been in Mr Smiley's employ some time ago, and Uft last September as they could not agree very well. Had some trouble to get his wages, and he had to send a lawyer's letter. Since then he had said nothing to Smiley. Witness then detailed his whereabouts from 7 o'olook on the evening of the 18th until after the fire, the evidenoe corroborating W. Smiley's. (Left sitting.)