Sergeant John Willis stated - On the evening of the 26th instant I learnt that some log fences were burning the other side of Yarralumla. From that information I proceeded to Yarralumla next morning. When I arrived on the Yarralumla road I saw a big smoke in the direction of Bulga Creek. I proceeded there in company with Constable Wilcox and saw that one of Mr Campbell's paddocks was on fire. The fire was burning strongly on the north-west side, there being a number of men present they soon got the fire under. I then went along the Bulga Creek road going around the fire, and saw along the road where a log fence had been recently burned. A number of logs which had formed part of the fence were still burning. I also saw where the grass had been burned away from one of these logs im a narrow strip going in the direction of where the fire was still burning. I was of opinion from what I saw that the bush fire had started from some of the logs which were burning in the fence. There was no fire-break on either sides of the burning fence, none whatever on the inside or paddock side, and only a slight space burned on the outside, apparently the result of the fire. I also saw where a fire had previously (two or three days before) burned some grass and had been put out after running about twenty yards into the paddock. I had a conversation with Mr James Brown that day (Sunday) and he, in answer to my question, admitted that he had set fire to the log fence on the Tuesday or Wednesday previously. He said he watched the fire up till Saturday, 26th instant and then left it. On the following day I saw Mr Campbell in Queanbeyan who told me he had a suspicion that the paddock was wilfully set on fire, and from what be told me I went and informed the Coroner.
By the Jury - The wind was due west at the time, and was blowing from the fence towards where the fire was still burning.
By Mr Campbell - The burning fence ran north and south; the smoke was rising upwards for 10 or 12 yards and was then carried in an easterly direction. It was only a medium wind. The grass on the top of the hill which had been burnt appeared to have been barley grass. There were green shoots of other kinds of grasses, but the fire was still burning among these green shoots, and was travelling against the wind. Some of the green shoots were close along side where the fence had been. I did not notice trees or saplings growing in the line of fence, but if there were they must have been scorched. I couldn't say what kind of timber the log fence was composed of. It was not pine, I think, as no pine grows thereabouts. It was hard wood of some sort.
Frederick Campbell, sworn, stated I am a grazier, and reside at Yarralumla. Last Sunday, 27th instant, I had just started for church with my two sons, at about 10.30 a.m., when I observed a smoke rising in heavy clouds in the direction of Rolfe's paddock. Knowing there was a quantity of inflammable barley grass there, I at once saw it must be a bush fire. I drove there, stopping at Patrick Ryan's on my way to the alarm. They had already sent two boys to the locality of the fire. I pushed on, driving to head the fire towards Mrs Fox's, and just got to the boundary fence in time to stop it from crossing a track into her land. I very easily stopped it by means of my sulky cloth. The fire was driving with the wind, which was light, about south-east. I was the first there, and very shortly after William Fox came up, and soon after that a great number of friends from all round. As I was no longer wanted (after having burnt a break with difficulty along the track, on account of the greenness of the grass) I returned to stop other friends from coming. From the difficulty owing to the greenness of the grass, of a bush-fire readily spreading there I came to the conclusion of the fire being probably the result of deliberate intention. There was no lightning that morning.
By Sergeant Willis - The barley-grass did not extend to the fence, so far as I know I noticed it very thick on the top of the hill. By instructions to Brown, who was putting up a wire fence on the line of the old log fence, were, not to burn the old log fence unless it was perfectly safe to do so. He had four men with him assisting him, and also a water cart. From my experience of him for 20 years' fencing he has burnt some hundred or more miles of brush or log fencing, and never made a mistake. I received from Sergeant Willis a dozen or more print notices as to the careless use of fire. There is amongst them a warning as to leaving fires burning in the open air. I don't think it feasible that a fire would start from any of the burning logs considering the conditions which prevailed. There was a very heavy rain (over an inch) on the previous Sunday. The fence was set on fire on Wednesday. That evening it was calm with little or no wind.
William Fox stated -I am a labourer and reside at Weston Creek, Yarralnmla. On Sunday last at about 10 a.m. I noticed smoke rising and saw the grass in Rolfe's paddock on fire. The fire was then about a chain from the fence, and I saw that it had come from a log fence which bounded the Bulga Creek road. I tried to beat the fire out with a bush, but the wind was too strong, and the fire got into the barley grass, and I could not put it out. There was a little barley grass near the fence, but it got thicker as it went out. I was from 20 minutes to half an hour I beating at the fire. When I found I could not keep it in check I came home and got my horse and went back to the fire again, where I saw Ted Blundell. I then went to Bulga Creek (about a mile and a half) to James Brown and told him there was a fire in Rolfe's paddock. I then came back and saw Mr. Campbell near the fire in my mother's paddock. During the time I was away the fire had spread about a quarter of a mile. I am certain the fire came from a burning log in the fence which was blazing and about a foot or 18 inches from the grass which was burned.
By Mr Campbell - It was quite possible for any one to have come and set fire to the fence without my seeing them from where I live. I cannot say of what wood the burning log was.
By the Jury - I saw no sparks flying from the log but the log was ablaze, and the burnt grass was still quite hot. There was a heavy wind at the time ;it blow quite strong and came from the west from off Mount Stromlo.
Patrick Ryan stated - I am a labourer, and reside on the Uriarra Roadside, Yarralumla. On Sunday last at about half-past 10 o'clock a.m. I saw smoke from my own door. It seemed to be in Rolfe's paddock. I and Edward Blundell went to the fire and tried to beat it out. The fire was on the paddock side of the fence; about l50 yards of the intervening space towards the fence was burnt in part, and the fire was working back to the fence again towards the top of the hill. From what I saw the fire at first must have come from near the fence. There was fire in the fence, in several places, and the grass was in some places burnt away from the fence where the fire was. I waslooking after the burning log fence (which was set on fire on Wednesday, 23rd inst.) until Christmas Eve. I was there when the fence was set on fire. It was set on fire by James Brown, two of his sons, and myself. We were all working under Brown's instructions. I did not see the fire get away into the grass while I was there up to Christmas Eve. Had it done so, I must have noticed it.
By Mr. Campbell -The grass was rather green to catch fire from the fence that is, the grass close to the fence. There is in all about a mile of the log fence burned. There was a moderate wind blowing on Sunday morning. I was watching the fire up to about 10 o'clock at night and then went home. It would be quite possible for any one without being seen to get to that fence and fire the intermediate grass- between the fence and out in the paddock. No one setting fire wilfully to the grass could be seen from any house in the neighbourhood.
By Sergeant Willie - If kerosene had been used and burnt out, the barley grass would burn, if other grasses would not. It is quite possible for the fire to have started from the log fence and burnt down into the hollow where there was no barley grass.
James Brown stated - I am a labourer and reside at Bulga Oreek. I am employed by Mr. F. Campbell. I recollect last Sunday. Between 11 and 12 o'clock that day William Fox came to me and reported a fire. I went straight to Rolfe's paddock, and saw that the grass in the paddock was on fire. It was burnt from the fence about a quarter of a mile out into the paddock. It seemed to me to have'started from the direction of the old log fence. There were some butts of logs still burning in the fence, but it was not possible for the fire to have started from them, as none of them were blazing. A wind rising would not be likely to fan those logs into a flame because they were sound and solid. Even if a blaze did break out it would not have ignited the grass which was too green. I have had twenty years experience in fencing and a fire never got away from me. I can give no reason for the cause of the fire. We lighted a fire there in the thick grass to boil the billy and the surrounding grass did not burn. I won't say the fire did not start from the burning logs.
To Mr Campbell -I am a tenant farmer and rent about 200 acres from Mr Campbell. It was not a heavy wind that was blowing when I reached the fire. I had watched the fire in the fence for two days and two nights I and my sons between us, and again on Saturday up till a little afternoon. The timber in the old fence was mostly blue gum with box and apple tree in lesser proportions. I did not think sparks would have blown away from the fence after it had been burning three or four days, and if they had they would not have set fire to the grass. The reason the grass all alongside the burning fence did not catch light was that it was too green. We tried several times to burn it, but it would not ignite. My camp was about 400 yards from the fence. In trying to burn fire-breaks lately on the other side of the river we failed through the grass being too green; that grass was not so green as this in Rolfe's paddock. We tried kerosene and cotton-waste over the river, and then the grass would not burn sufficiently to make a break. It would only burn in patches. In every instance the barley grass burnt off clean. It would be quite possible for anyone to have started a fire in Rolfe's paddook between the burning fence and the barley grass without being seen. The smouldering log from which it is said the fire originated is yellow box. No one likes my burning off; they are frightened of the consequences. I have been working with fires in the open for fully 25 years and never had a mishap from them.
By the Jury - I have used kerosene and cotton-waste on the fences in Rolfe's paddook, but not near where the fire took place. We carried the kerosene in a barrel and at no time had it nearer than 30 chains to the fire.
By the Coroner -I cannot find or state a reason why anyone should wilfully set fire to the paddock.
By the Jury - Between the Wednesday and the following Sunday when the fire was discovered the weather was hot and dry. I never tried to burn any breaks after the Wednesday when the fence was set on fire.
By Mr Campbell - I would not have tried to burn the log fence, but for the previous Sunday's rain.
By the Coroner - The whole mile length of log fence has been burning off at intervals, there would be no burning when the weather was very dry.
By the Sergeant - If I saw a teamster leave a fire burning I would put it out, or perhaps not interfere with it at all. The reason I did not put out my own fire was that I wanted the fence burnt off.
Witnesses called by Mr Campbell :
Samuel Gifford stated - I am a boundary rider in the employ of F. Campbell, of Yarralumla. I know Jim Brown. My experience of him is that as regards fires, you could not get a more careful man in New South Wales. My experience of him extends over a period of twenty two years. I knew the fence he has been burning lately along the Bulga Creek road. I last saw it on Saturday evening last. It was lit on the previous Wednesday. I considered it perfectly safe when I saw it last. There were logs smoulding but not blazing. There was a quantity of barley-grass on the hill, which would burn fiercely if lit, especially on the sheep camp. I do not think there wasn sufficient wind at any time since the fence was lit to have created a blaze sufficient to light the grass. I was absent from home on Saturday.
By the Coroner-I am satisfied in my own mind that the fire did not originate from the log fence. I can form no opinion as to its cause.
By the Sergeant - I do not think the fire started from the blazing log mentioned, because it had not done so for the previous days. It would not dry sufficiently up to Sunday to cause the log to start the fire. I cannot account for the fire.
James Samuel Taylor stated - I am a boundary rider in the employ of Mr. F. Campbell of Yarralumla. I have known James Brown for 20 years and know him to be a man of great carefulness as regards out door fires. No man could be more careful. I never knew a fire to get away from him, though he has had control of a great many fires to my knowledge. I remember the bush fire in Rolfe's paddock. There way only a medium wind. I came in on the east side of the fire, round by the south, to the road at the west. I went along the lane, and saw no blaze anywhere along the line of fence. That was at about 10.30 to 10.45 a m.
By the Sergeant - I will not swear there was no blaze at 10 o'clock, for I was not ii thele. I did not tell anyone on Sunday that I was satisfied the fire started at the box log.
Archibald Brown stated - I am a labourer lately working with my father James Brown trying to burn a break on the other side of the river. It would burn only in patches though we used a kerosene trail. While burning off the log fence in Rolfe's paddock we used to light fires in the grass to boil the billy at first, and the grass did not take fire for it was too green greener than the grass over the river. It got greener after Sunday week's ran, and was less likely to burn. I as well as my father was looking after the fence-fire it was blazing on Christmas Eve; and on Saturday evening last there were still three logs blazing. The grass was too green while we were burning the the fence to catch fire, In three days the fence would smoulder down. If the grass was not set fire to when the fence was blazing high, in my experience it would be less likely to do so after the fire had burnt down.
The jury returned the following verdict: "That the said fire, at Yarralumla, in the district of Queanbeyan, in the State of New South Wales, occurred in Rolfe's Paddock on the 27th instant, accidentally starting from a burning log in an old fence situated on the Bulga Creek road, and recently destroyed by fire. The jury desire to add as a rider of this verdict that in their opinion more care should be exercised in all cases of burning off."