Dr. Johnston, City Coroner, held an inquiry May 11 into the origin of the fire by which Chew’s Buildings/ in Willis- „ street, were destroyed.' on the 23rd t April. Mr John Young was chosen fore- " man of the jury. Mr William James Scott, the first witness called, stated that, on passing the premises at,about twenty minutes past ten p.m. on the day named, he observed smoke issuing from the building. He burst into the place by I means of a tool he • to be carrying in his hand, and, finding that the back was all a mass of flames, he left and gave the alarm by ringing the large firebell at the rear of the old Supreme Court. Thomas B. Dwan, son of one of the occupiers, said that lie had been in the office until about 7.30 p.m., Mr Marney, who had some goods in the place, and George Galloway, being also present. They had a lamp burning in the store, but put it out be fore leaving. A gas jet was also alight in the office, and' this was also extin guished before leaving. He, with the persons mentioned, went to the Theatre on leaving the premises. There was a quantity of matches oil the premises, and one box was open for sampling purposes. There was no kerosene except what was in a bottle. The premises were infested with rats. Mr Et. Marney gave corrobo rative evidence, and added that he had goods and specie on the premises to the value of about £6O. He had no insur ance. Chief Detective Browne deposed that he had helped Mr Scott to break into the place. He crept on his hands and knees to within a few feet of the spot where the fire was blazing. A few buckets of water would have put it out at that time, but it was not available, and he had to retreat. He thought that. ! the fire was close to the spot where the cases of matches referred to were stored. So far as he knew there was no reason to believe that the origin of the fire was other than accidental. There was a fair quantity of stuck on the premises, and he thought that the owners of it would be losers by the tire. 