The weather for at least a fortnight before the accident had been showery at intervals.
The houses were built of what are locally known as Blue bricks; the walls were badly bonded and, to a considerable extent, hollow in the centre.
An enquiry was held and the coroner returned a verdict to the effect that he was convinced that persons who had been killed met their death through the collapse and burning of the building.
3. For the purpose of investigating the matter further, His Excellency the Governor directed that the enquiry should be reopened and this was done on the 20th September when exhaustive evidence was taken.
The Crown Solicitor attended and examined the witnesses. It transpired that the only inspection made of the buildings when plans were prepared for submission to the Public Works Department consisted of a superficial examination of the walls, which were thickly coated with white wash, by one of the architects' assistants.