THE CHRISTCHURCH FIRE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2225, 24 June 1908, Page 3

THE CHRISTCHURCH FIRE.

MAGISTERIAL -INQUIRY. THE JURY’S FINDING. [Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, Juno 23. Tho inquest- relating to the outbreak of fire in Masters and Sons’ shop in High Street on Juno 17th was continued before Mr. H. V ■ Bishop, District Coroner, and a jury of six at the Magistrate's Court this morning. Alfred Masters said ho was carrying on business with his sons in- High Street. He took stock about a month ago. The value of the stock was about £834. A fire bad occurred in tlio “Wiltshire building, where his premises were previously. His insurances' on the lire in High Street were £BSO in the Alliance and £OOO in the Royal Exchange. He could not say whether he had told the Alliance Company that he was insured in the Royal Exchange. “When he left on tile night in question, he turned the gas off, but not the meter. The gate leading on the right of way was usually locked. One of the employees hail charge of the key. He went into the shop and came out again by the front door, and left everything as usual. On the night of the fire there was about £4 10s in the till, and in tho petty cash drawer about £l. The cash register was not locked, hut was shut. Anyone who knew -liow to open the cash register could get the leash). There wore two trout door keys, one he kept and one his son kept, hut his son had given his to one of the assistan ts. ’1 lie reason for this ■was that his son was moving, and would not be able to get; down in time the next morning. The window was 'practically blocked with goods, but there were a number of places where anyone could put lus hand thron'd) . He saw the cash-box aftoi the fire, and the cash was not there. He had no reason to believe there was any particular man who had a grudge against him, although lie could mention- a dozen names. , , Tho jurv’s finding was to the effect that,there were grave suspicious of incendiarism, but there was not sufficient evidence to indicate the person.