CHARGE OF ARSON.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 100, 8 February 1936, Page 3

CHARGE OF ARSON.

TWO YOUNG ME£l ON PROBATION (Per Press Association). PALMERSTON N., February 7. Commenting that they had taken only a minor part, his Honor Mr Justice Blair admitted; to two years piobation two young men who appeared for sentence' in the Supreme Court on a charge of arson in respect of a house in College Street. The prisoners were William lan Hankins, a taxi-driver, aged 20, and John Armand Borlase, a tax-driver, aged 29. The jury had recommended mercy. Application for a change of venue from Palmerston North to Wanganui for the trial of Harrild Hales Hutchison, a commission agent, on charges of alleged conspiracy in arson and alleged procuring and counselling the commission of arson at 128 College Street was made by counsel to his Honor. The Grand Jury on Tuesday returned a true bill. His Honor to-dav said that Hutchison had not been arraigned on this count. He had already heard argument on the matter in Chambers. As accused was yet to come up for trial it was undesirable to discuss the reasons which weighed with him in making an order for a change. Accordingly lie made the case to he heard at the next sitting of the Supreme Court, opening at Wanganui on February 17. Bail was renewed.,