THE EDEN TERRACE FIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 206, 2 September 1886, Page 4

THE EDEN TERRACE FIRE.

Charge of Incendiarism Against J. T. Clarke. Thf. hearing of the charge of incendiarism against John Thomas Clarke was continued after we wen t to press yesterday.

Detective Herbert continued :— In the presence of Constable Dunn, witness aeked for particulars of the firo in order to make out the report. He said he had cooked his tea at 6. HO o'clock, and afterwards went out, leaving tho fire burning. He returned and went to bed about 10 o'clock in the middle room of the house. Hβ knew nothing further until a man bur3t in the door to give the alarm of fire. Ho jumped out oi bed and ran Daked into the t>ack yard, when the man throw out hie clothing. He aaid he boarded at Mrs Irwin'a in Summer street. Clarke said lie had only saved two ?mall boxes from the tire, containing wutchm:ikerb' material, and odds and onda of little value. He aeked where were they, as he wished to see their contonts co that ho might make a report He pointed to a vacant allotment opposito, and said they were there. On the way to Mrelrwin's, prisoner ( said it was no use bothering about the things, as they woro of no value. They had to press him in order to get him to no. He and Dewc3 accompanied him to the allotment, but the things were not thore._ He then aaid they wero down at a friond's houee, and they asked him to go with them. They went to Mrs Invin's house in Summerstreet. The door was ajar, and there was a candle burning in tho backroom. Prisoner opened tho door and led the way in. He pointed out the black box and a largo wooden box (produced). They pulled the lid off the box, as there «as no lock on it. Accused said tho?e wore the only things he saved from the fire. Tho boxes were just in9ido of the front door, and having examined them, witness found that they contained all the things mentioned in tho Echodule. Sergeant Gamble having arrived, they searched Mrs Irwin's room. The bag containing the cabinet boxes was found iD her room with the policy on the top of it. The bag containing the Japan tin caahbox was under Mis invin'd bed, and the small chest of drawers was ulco under her bed. A window blind rolled up, crockery not smashed, and t»o pairs of accused's boot:! wore also under the bed. Clarke, who wa.s present, said theeo goods comprised hie uninsured wtock which he brought from the Thumes. When thoy searched the cuahbox, he tried to get possession of it, and aaid nobody had a right to it. He said, "If you have any doubt, got the oxproesman — he livos down at tho back—and he will tell you I had a narrow escape." Ho also said the expresflman had helped him to carry out all the things he had caved. He eaid all his stock was in the window, and.must have been consumed. He looked through, the debris next day, but did not find any trace of clockwork. By Mr Cooper : Do not recollect Sergeant Gamble toying to prisoner, " I suppose you had a little bill to meet." I remember Gamble asking him what stock he had consumed.

Martha Johnston deposed that she formerly resided in a houee next to the premises occupied by Clarke in Eden Terrace, and kept a ladies' seminary there. She had been living there moro than eight or nine years. She recollected t!:o night of the 11th August, whon she retired about a quarter to 11. Nothing ditturbed her that night, but she seemed conscious of a flash of light when she awoke. She heard no alarm given, and it there had been much sound she certainly must have heard it. Looking out of the window, ehe saw long arms of flame, and there was a great deal of flame without much smoke. None of the outside boarding waa burnt whon aho looked out.

William Anderson Crombio, formerly a publican,deposed that he lived at Erickeon^i iv Exmouth-street. When tlie fire took place, he went up to the back door of the house from which tmolo was issuing. A man was there, but he could not •'.ay who or what ho was, Witness was present while the boxes wore being removed from, the back, and then went round to the street. Tliu man who was at the back was dressed in a light twocd suit, and appeared perfectly calm. Ho aaid to witness, "Well have to rouse those people next door," but his groat concern appeared to be to pet hia boxes removed.

George Alexander Coles deposed that about 11.30 p.m. he heard Mi&s Johnston streaming " Firo !" He droned and went up the street, and saw a blueish flame coming out of the window of Claik'a house. The accused's window was empty on the day before the firo.

Mary Isabella Coles, aged nine years, dopoeed that while she was being taken to Erickaon'a house on the night of tho tiro .«ho saw Clarko behind tho clesats at tha bottom of tho yard. Ho was peeping round tho corner, and had hie overcoat and hat on.

The further hearing of tho case was then adjourned till Friday next, bail being enlarged.