HERMIT PARK FIRE.

A Magisterial inquiry.
An Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding a fire which occurred on 9th February at a house in the Avenue, Hermit Park, the properly of Florence Anne Arrowsmith, and valued at £2600, including furniture and contents, was opened at the Court House, before Mr. G. A. Cameron, P.M. on Friday. Sub-Inspector O'Sullivan conducted the Inquiry. Mr. G. P. Ryan (Messrs. Wilson, Ryan and Grose) appeared to watch the interests of the owner. Mr. F. R. North appeared on behalf of the South British Insurance. Co.
Lilian Hilda Keane, wife of Stephen John Keane, residing next door to the building known us Arrowsmith's flats, stated that she was awakened about 2 a.m. on the night of the fire by a peculiar noise like pots and pans falling, and then saw flames coming from the sleeping out portion of the flat occupied by the Arrowsmiths. She raised an alarm, and then got up and played water on the back of her house. She had no idea of how the fire occurred.
When the next witness (Mr. Arrowsmith) was called, Sub-Inspector O'Sullivan stated that he understood Mr. Arrowsmith had been called as a witness by his wife, and asked for the proclamation as to Witnesses.

Mr. Ryan objected, stating it was not customary in such inquiries. They were there simply to inquire in the circumstances surrounding the fire, and not into a dispute between an insurance company and another party. If the Sub-Inspector took that attitude he would take the stand of advising Mr. Arrowsmith not to give evidence. Mr. Cameron said it had been the custom to allow witnesses to remain in such cases, and he would follow the usual practice. He would not order the witness to leave the Court. Florence Annie Arrowsmith, wife of Robert Henry Arrowsmith, residing at the Avenue, Hermit Park, said the house they occupied was known as Coolgarra, and was her property. It was occupied as three flats, herself and her husband occupying the rear flat, consisting of six rooms, and verandah at the side. The other flats faced the Avenue. One had five rooms and the other four, including kitchens and both had front and side verandahs.
At the time of the fire neither of the flats were occupied, having been empty for a week. They had been let to Mr. Brandt and Mr. Forno at 27/6 per week, and the rent was paid up.
The tenants left because she raised the rent to £2 per week. She had owned the house about 4 years, the property having been left to her. She valued the house and furniture at £2550. She valued the furniture at £330. She valued the house at £2200 without the land. It was up for sale recently, and was offered at £2550 for house and land. The Salvation Army had inspected the place, but had not given any definite decision. Other people inspected it. The house was Insured with the South British Insurance Co., but she was not sure of the sum. Her brother always attended to that. She understood that It was £1700 on the house, and £270 on the furniture. She had a mortgage on the property, originally of £850, which had been reduced to £664. Electric light had been installed, and there were three gas stoves. She had received no notice from the Insurance Co. that they proposed to reduce the amount of the insurance. She had singed a declaration to that effect before Mr. McIlwaine. That was true and she had not received any such notice. She did not remember having a conversation with Mrs. Brandt and Mrs. Forno In the fernery on 28th or 29th January. Her son had not brought her a letter on that occasion. Mr. Ryan, at this stage, pointed out they were not holding an inquiry as to whether the Insurance company was liable for any particular amount. An answer which witness made might prejudice her in some future proceedings. Mr Cameron said they were there to hold an inquiry under the Insurance Act. Mr. Ryan could call attention to any question he objected to. Witness said she did not remember stating that it was a cheque from the South British Insurance Co. for £3 odd. She did not get a cheque of £3 at any time, as a refund on her insurance. She did not say to Mr. Brandt "What do you think? The South British has taken off £800 from our insurance. She did not say that she only payed the premium a fortnight previously, and it was a wonder they had not spoken then. She had not advertised for new tenants prior to the fire, as they intended to do some painting, and had started on the lattice work. On the 8th February she and her husband were at the house of her sister (Mrs. Clay), at the Bohle, intending to stay till Sunday night, but on hearing of the fire came into town. Since the house had become her property she had made improvements to the amount of £500.

That was the reason of the mortgage. She and her husband had only taken sufficient clothes for a week-end, and all her personal property was destroyed. Her brother occupied the floor under Forno's flat as a garage, leaving a car and lorry there. He lived next door to her. His property was saved. She was a heavy loser by the fire, and in fact had lost everything.
Mr. Ryan said her loss would depend on the amount of insurance she received. Witness said she had claimed £1970 from the company. She had no suspicion of anyone having set fire to the place. She did not know previous to the fire that the South British Co. had decided to reduce the policy. It was the afternoon of the fire she heard of it. One of the tenants had been there for two years and one for 12 months at 27/6 per week. She did not think the increase asked was an unusually large one. Other people were getting the sum she had asked. She had no inflamables about the house. There was one tin of methylated spirits brought in shortly before. That was purchased at Timmins and Richardsons, and was under the house on the septic tank. Her husband had been ordered by a doctor to bathe his arms and hands for some ailment. She did not know how the fire broke out. Everything was in good order when she left, and she was the last to leave. Mr. Ryan: She was keeping house now and had purchased methylated spirits again, having purchased a dozen bottles. It was cheaper to buy by the tin. The building had been insured for 18 years. The premium was between £7 and £8. She had never had a fire before. Before leaving for the Bohle she had ironed some suits for the boys to go to school on the Monday. She had also soaked the clothes down for the weekly wash. They were all under the house, and were burned. Her brother removed his cars whilst the place was on fire. She was under no pressure as regarded her mortgage debt. She payed £11 a month, and always paid it when due. She did not think there would be any difficulty in getting tenants, once the house was renovated.

By Mr. North: Her husband had started the painting of the lattice. She arranged on the Thursday to go to her sisters (Mrs. Clay) and notified Mr. Clay. She had transferred her fire policy to the mortgage company. She did not know before the fire that the policy held by them had been reduced. She did not know now that notice had been given to them before the fire. She raised the rent because she thought she had given the tenants long enough at 27/6.
By Mr. Cameron: The tenants stopped only a week after she notified them of the increase. They left within two days of each other. One of the flats was unfurnished, and she intended to furnish it. She did not know anything about the cause of the fire, and them was nothing she could tell concerning it. At this stage the inquiry was adjourned till Tuesday morning.

HERMIT PARK FIRE. (1930, March 10). Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld. : 1885 - 1954), p. 3. Link to TROVE

FIRE INQUIRY.

Two Townsville Matters. The inquiry into the circumstances surrounding a fire which occurred on 9th February at a house in the Avenue, Hermit Park, the property of Florence Anne Arrowsmith, and valued at £2600, including furniture and contents, was continued at the Court House, before Mr. G. A. Cameron, P.M., on Friday. Sub-Inspector O'Sullivan conducted the inquiry. Mr. G. P. Ryan (Messrs. Wilson, Ryan and Grose) appeared to watch the Interests of the owner. Mr. F. R. North appeared on behalf of the South British Insurance Co. Robert Henry Arrowsmith, stated he was the husband of Florence Anne Arrowsmith and up till 9th he lived in the Avenue with his wife and family. He had been living there 17 years and his wife owned the property. They occupied the rear flat. His wife owned the furniture in the flats. The Forno's owned their furniture, but not the Brandt's. Forno owned everything but a few things in his flat. He knew Forno and Brandt left before the fire. That was because his wife rose the rent. He did not know if his wife had received a communication from the South British Insurance Company and had not seen a cheque from the company for a refund. On the Sunday afternoon at the police station he knew from another cause that the company intended to reduce the insurance on the flats. Constable Sprenger told him. His wife made a statement to the constable that afternoon. He (witness) did not, and had refused subsequently, to give a statement on the instructions of his solicitor. He drove his wife and family away on the Saturday afternoon before the fire, to Mrs. Clay's at the Bohle River where they intended to stay till the Sunday night. He was out there when he received news of the fire. That was at ten o'clock on Sunday morning when a man came across from the telephone station with a message addressed to Arrowsmith. He had not removed anything from the house before he left to go to the Bohle. He had a band instrument, which he played in the Federal Band, in the house. He used this on the Tuesday after the fire. At the time of the fire this instrument was in the band room, he, having left it there after band drill on the Saturday afternoon. Very often he left the instrument at the band room, about a hundred times he supposed. He left the Bohle about 20 minutes after he received word of the fire. He knew Mr. Isbel, a director of Auto Sales and Service. He did not speak to Mr. Isbel before the fire about the insurance, but he did after. If Mr. Ishel said witness spoke to him about the insurance on the flats about the end of January, he would be wrong. He (witness) remembered ordering methylated spirits from Richardson and Tinmins in February. He had bought a four gallon tin before, he used it for household uses and skin and nail trouble. Mrs. Clay and three of the boys were home at the Bohle River. Sub. Inspector O'Sullivan: You refused to tell the police why you got the methylated spirits? Mr. Ryan objected because the witness had already deposed that his solicitors told him not to make a statement. The Magistrate said they could get the question down and Mr. Ryan could object. Mr. Ryan then renewed his objection on the grounds that the witness had already stated in evidence that he did not give a statement because his solicitors told him not to do so. Therefore the matter should be left at that. The Magistrate overruled the objection. Witness said he was not exactly asked about methylated spirits. The police started off about a letter and he told them he would give no statement about a letter. Continuing, witness said the spirits was kept under the house on a stand. He or his wife had never had a fire before. Sub Inspector O'Sullivan: What was your personal value of the property before the fire. Mr. Ryan said the witness should first be asked whether he had a personal value. He could be asked for his wife's value. He should not be cross examined. The Magistrate said he was intent on getting every reasonable question answered and so far there had been no unreasonable questions. Witness said he would value the property at £2600. He rented his flats at £2 per week and the other two at £1/17/6. By Mr. Ryan: He was not his wife's agent in connection with insurance. Her brother, Mr. Vardy, attended to that. The Federal Band practised twice a week, once at Vardy's and the other at Paramount Pictures. His instrument was the biggest used in a bass band. By Mr. North: He had the instrument at home on the Friday before the fire. He took it away about 3.30 on the Saturday afternoon to go to band drill. His wife's car and Vardy's car and a motor truck were kept under the house, but he did not think the fire originated from any of those motor vehicles. No petrol had been stored under the house, the cars being filled bowsers. He purchased a four gallon tin of methylated spirits from Rees Thomas Ltd., on the Tuesday afternoon and he purchased an other tin from Richardson and Timmins, on the Thursday. The first tin sprang a leak and he bought the second tin to replace it. He did not complain to Rees Thomas of having lost the tin he bought from them. He was purchasing groceries' from Richardson and Timmins and he asked for a gallon of spirits. They could not supply one gallon and witness agreed to take the whole tin. It was cheaper to buy the biggest quantity. He asked for a gallon from Richardson and Timmins because he was offered it at the same price per gallon for one gallon. However, the assistant could not find a one gallon tin. By the Bench: He started off for the Bohle about 5.15 p.m. and arrived about six o'clock. They were expected there. They had been there previously to stay over the week-end. His wife knew about the loss of the methylated spirits. He lost all the first tin, noticing the leak the morning after he purchased it. There was about half a tin left at the time of the fire. He opened the tin when he got home on the Thursday and took out two bottles. He would not express any opinion as to the cause of the fire. He did not smoke nor did anybody in his flats smoke. There were no rats about the place that he knew of. Ellen Pittard Brandt, residing in Palmer Street, South Townsville said she formerly lived at Arrowsmith's Flats with her husband. On Tuesday or Wednesday January 27 or 28, she and her husband were down in the fernery and Mrs. Arrowsmith and Mrs. Forno came in. One of the Arrowsmith boys gave his mother a letter. She opened it and said 'Oh! here's a cheque for £3 from the South British.' Witness did not see the cheque or the letter as they walked away when Mrs. Arrowsmith went to read the letter. She and Mrs. Forno were upstairs talking later and Mrs. Arrowsmith came up and said the South British had taken £800 off her insurance. She and her husband left there on February 1st. By Mr. Ryan; She had a married sister in Townsville, the wife of Gregory Witham, who was in the employ of the South British Insurance Company. By Mr. North: The fact that her brother-in-law was in the employ of the company would not affect her evidence. When they were in the fernery she noticed the letter before Mrs. Arrowsmith opened it. It was addressed to F. A. Arrowsmith' and witness had said 'That's not yours, It's Frank Arrowsmith's. ' Mrs. Arrowsmith replied 'No its for me.' Witness and her husband walked away then and as they did so Mrs. Arrowsmith said 'Here's a cheque for £3 from the South British Insurance Company. Violet Lena Forno, wife of Henry Forno residing in Lomax-street, off Charters Toners Road, deposed she and her husband formerly resided at Arrowsmith's Flats, going there some time in May 1929. They furnished the flat themselves. They left there on February 3rd last, because Mrs. Arrowsmith increased the rent from 27/6 to £2 per week. She remembered a conversation taking place in the fernery when Mrs. Arrowsmith and Mr. and Mrs. Brandt were present. This was four or five days before she left the flat. Mrs. Arrowsmith said she just had a letter from the South British Insurance Company and a cheque. Afterwards she said "The South British have reduced my insurance." The letter was brought to Mrs. Arrowsmith by one of her sons, but witness did not see her open it. Mrs. Arrowsmith spoke about the reduction about half an hour afterwards when they were in the front of the house. She subsequently heard that the place was destroyed by fire. By Mr. Ryan: She could not remember the day of the week on which this conversation took place, nor the time of day. It was not a matter that interested her. She heard nobody else speak except Mrs. Arrowsmith. They were underneath the house near Mrs. Brandt's fernery. She and Mrs. Arrowsmith were on one side of a dividing fence and the Brandts were on the other side. By the Bench: She did not see Mrs. Brandt look over the fence, but the could have done so had she wished. The conversation took place after Mrs. Arrowsmith had notified her that she was raising the rent. Frederick George Stewart Isbel, company director, gave evidence to the effect that he knew the Arrowsmiths, and knew they let flats at their property, which was destroyed by fire. He remembered having a conversation with Mr. Arrowsmith with regard to the insurance on his wife's property. It was just outside his office, some days before the fire. Arrowsmith came to him and said "My insurance has been reduced £800." Witness asked him what company he was in and Arrowsmith said "The South British. Why did they reduce my insurance?" Witness replied "I suppose its on account of the great number of fires in boarding houses and flats lately." Arrowsmith expressed his intention of changing his insurance and witness told him the chances were no other company might accept his insurance, knowing one company had reduced it, and also that the South British might be pleased not to have insurance on any boarding house or flats. Witness promised he would see the South British and do what he could for him. The next morning Mr. Horn, the South British Inspector, came to witness' office and he had a conversation with him. Arrowsmith did not say anything about receiving a cheque. Rupert Henry Saunders stated he was a senior assistant at the cash and carry department of Richardson and Timmins. He remembered Mr. Arrowsmith calling at the shop early in February, between 1st and 7th of the month, and asked witness the price of a gallon of methylated spirits. He asked Arrowsmith if he had a tin and he said no. He then quoted Arrowsmith 18/ for a four gallon tin, and he agreed to take it. He told witness he wanted a bit of it because he was going to do some French polishing. William Edward Mcllwaine, manager of the South British Insurance Company Limited, stated he knew Mrs. Arrowsmith, who was a client of of the company and owned flats situated at the Avenue, Hermit Park. That building was insured with his company for £1700 and the contents for £170. The policy was renewed on January 7th of this year, on January 28th he was told the flats were to become vacant and he decided to reduce the insurance. He went to the South Queensland Mortgage and investment Company, who agreed to a reduction. He also wrote to Mrs. Arrowsmith the same day, advising her of the reduction and enclosing a cheque for the deduction in premium. The letter was addressed to Mrs. F. A. Arrowsmith, The Avenue, Hermit Park, and the company had a record to show it was posted. They received no reply from Mrs. Arrowsmith, but he was advised by their Inspector, Mr. Horn, Mr. Ryan: I object. The P.M.: I don't know what it is yet. Mr. Ryan: I've a good idea what it is your Worship, and you've been here as long as I have following the evidence. The P.M. said this this was an inquiry and he was going to follow his usual practice of getting as much in as possible. Mr. Ryan said he was in Court at the Magistrate's discretion but he was entitled to protect his client as much as possible, otherwise he would not he there. Naturally it suited this witness to make his own case as strong as he could, but if Mr. McIlwaine had some evidence in his client's favour, would have to have it dragged from him. The objection was overruled. Continuing, witness said Mr. Horn told him he knew Mrs. Arrowsmith had received the letter because her husband had been in and discussed the matter with Mr. Isbel. The next thing he heard of was the fire. On the Monday morning Mrs. Arrowsmith came to his office and handed him a claim for the full amount of £1970. He informed her that the insurance had been reduced to £1170 but she said she had received no notification of it. She then made a declaration before him and a Justice of the peace, which he tendered. At this stage Sub-Inspector O'Sullivan said he had another two or three witnesses and asked for an adjournment. The Magistrate adjourned the inquiry until Wednesday, 19th instant at 10.30 a.m.

FIRE INQUIRY. (1930, March 15). Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld. : 1885 - 1954), p. 7. Link to TROVE

FIRE INQUIRY.

Hermit Park Blaze.
The inquiry into the circumstances surrounding a fire which occurred on 9th February at a house in the Avenue, Hermit Park, the property of Florence Anne Arrowsmith, and valued at £2600, Including furniture and contents, was continued at the Court House, before Mr. G. A. Cameron, P.M., on Wednesday. Sub-Inspector O'Sullivan conducted the inquiry. Mr. G. P. Ryan (Messrs. Wilson, Ryan and Grose) appeared to watch the interests of the owner. Mr. F. R. North appeared on behalf of the South British Insurance Co. Ernest Vardy, ice manufacturer, residing at the Avenue, Hermit Park, said that Mrs. Florence Anne Arrowsmith was his sister, and he resided next door to her. He remembered the 9th February, when he was disturbed about 2 a.m. by several noises, and saw a flare through the window. He ran out of the back of the house, and saw the flat his sister resided in was on fire. He called out to his wife, and told her, and then ran and got his car out from under the house occupied by his sister. The car was under Forno's flat. He got the car and truck out, the latter with the assistance of some other men. The fire seemed to be between the kitchen and his sister's flat, and worked towards other parts of the buildings. He did not see anybody about, and he saw nothing to show how the fire originated. The Brigade arrived soon. He knew his sister had gone to the Bohle, and that the other two flats were empty. He had no idea of how the fire ignited, nor any suspicions concerning it. By Mr. Ryan: He was a loser by the fire, as he had a lot of stuff inside his sister's house. He had a motor car body, an ice box, a spare ice cart body, some, cart wheels, a six volt car battery and & complete 12 h.p. suction gas engine, and a number of wheels. He had no insurance on any of these items, and he lost at least £100. By Mr. North: He had always paid Mr. Arrowsmith Insurance premiums. He did not think that he paid the last premium but would not be sure. The company usually rang him up to make any inquiries about the insurance. The company did not advise him of a reduction in January in the policy on the flat. There was benzine in the motor car and he started it up and got out. They used the space under his sister's place as a depot for ice. They did not keep any benzine on the premises except what was in the car. Sub-Inspector O'Sullivan said he would like to call evidence in Court. Mr. Ryan said he understood the question desired to be asked, was as to whether Mr. F. Arrowsmith received the letter from the company. They might as well call himself as a witness. He thought the principle was wrong, as beyond the scope of the inquiry. Mr. Cameron allowed the witness to be called. Francis James Arrowsmith principal of Kellog's Forwarding Agency, said Mrs. Florence Anne Arrowsmith was his sister-in-law. He resided in Carr-street, Hermit Park. On or about 28th January last he did not receive a letter from the South British Co. with reference to the insurance on his sister-in-law's flats. He was at the Mudingburra police station on the night of the fire, and probably said he came along as a matter of companionship with Mrs. Arrowsmith. He did not question her giving a statement to the police. He did not direct her whilst the statement was being taken, as to whether she should answer the questions or not. Constable Sprenger was present on the occasion. By Mr. North: His wife had not received the letter from the company, to the best of his knowledge and belief. He had not had any discussion with her as to the letter. He remembered a conversation with Mr. McIlwaine just after the fire. He did not remember being asked If the letter was received by him. On his advice Mrs. Arrowsmith had lodged a pro forma claim for the Insurance, and in his presence the claim was deliver ed to Mr. McIlwaine. The discussion was general, as the information as to the reduction was given her at the police station on the Sunday after noon. He did not know before the fire that the insurances was being reduced. Constable D. W. Sprenger stationed at Mundingburra, said on 9th February last, when he was in charge of the station, about 2.25 a.m. he received a telephone message from the city advising him of a fire in the Avenue. On arrival there the fire brigade was there. The place was destroyed. He made enquiries there and saw Mr. Vardy, who told him Mr. and Mrs. Arrowsmith and family had gone to the Bohle the previous evening. He made an examination of the premises later, but could not find what caused the fire. The Chief Officer of the Bridge (Mr. Garven) told him he had received information from the insurance company manager that the tenants had left and the company had decided to reduce the insurance. He interviewed the neighbours. On the morning 9th February he had a telephone conversation with Mr. McIlwaine regarding the insurance. He saw the Arrowsmiths at the police station about 3 p.m. Mrs. Arrowsmith. accompanied by her husband and Mr. Frank Arrowsmith came there. He told Mrs. Arrowsmith he was making inquiries concerning tho fire, and would like a statement concerning the Insurance, the purchase of the building, value, and anything else she could tell with reference to the fire. Mr. F Arrowsmith then asked if it was compulsory for Mrs. Arrowsmith to give a statement. He replied she could please herself, and that he had told her the lines he was inquiring on. Mr. Frank Arrowsmith then said he came on behalf of Mrs. F. A. Arrowsmith and said all right, I will let her give a statement, and if there is anything you ask her we don't want in the statement we will tell you. He then asked as to the insurance and Mrs. Frank Arrowsmith said, the sum was £1970. He then asked Mrs. Arrowsmith If she had received a letter not fying a reduction in the amount of the policy and she denied having received it, or knowing anything about it. He made inquiries from a number of other persons, but was unable to discover what caused the fire. He interviewed Mr. Arrowsmith, the husband of the owner of the destroyed building, on 17th February. He replied "I wont answer any question. My solicitor told me not to do so, until the inquiry." Mrs. Arrowsmith also replied to the same effect.

FIRE INQUIRY. (1930, March 20). Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld. : 1885 - 1954), p. 3. Link to TROVE