THE FIRE AT KOHIMARAMA SCHOOL.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 143, 18 June 1888, Page 5

THE FIRE AT KOHIMARAMA SCHOOL.

ALLEGED INCENDIARISM.

A youth aged 16, named Alexander Duncan, was changed at the Police Court this morning, before Mr H. C. Baddeley, R.M. with having set fire to a shed at the Kohi* marama Industrial School.

Mr P. Earl appeared on behalf of the accused and Sergeant-Major Pratt conducted the prosecution. Detective Walker deposed that he had drawn a plan of the building,which he produced and put in as evidence. He had been a civil engineer. Mr Earl said that he had previously asked the police to hold* a coronial inquiry with regard to the fire ; that, however, was not done. This was most unfortunate, as his statement could then have been taken, which he knew wouldhavethrownlightupon the question, asheeouldthenhave been crossexamined. Tho boy was ready to submit himself for examination, but under the present circumstances'his mouth was shut. He mentioned this as he was aware that the boy's statement was of value, on account of certain suspicious facts that should really be.inquired into. He did not know whether His Worship had the power to make any order with regard to the matter. He believed that the police were entirely upon the wrong track in this case. Sergeant-Major Pratt said he was quite willing to leave the matter in His Worship's hands. The police would hold a preliminary inquiry if he directed it. His Worship consulted the Act, and said that as he knew nothing about the case he would prefer to leave that matter in the hands of the police: Ultimately His Worship decided to adjourn the casts until Monday next, in order to allow time for depositions to be supplied to him, and then he would consider the advisability of holding an inquest.

Mr Earl said he only wanted the coroner to hear hearsay matter that could not be brought up in the usual way.

• His Worship said he wished it to be understood that he did not order or guarantee that a coronial inquiry would be held. ■

Mi" Earl said that he had sent the boy out to the Hometoget information from the boys for his own defence. To his astonishment however, he learned that the master of the Home had ordered him away, and would not allow him to speak to any of the boys. He thought that there was little Christian charity in such action, more especially as the boy had all the machinery of the law arrayed against him.

■ Mv Hogan, the master of the school, admitted that such was the case. The boy never asked to see any of the boys.

Mr Earl said he wished it to be understood that Mr Hogan ■ should not turn him out of the Home when he went.out for evidence.

Mr Hogan said that be had sent the boy away for his own good, fearing that he might say too much to the boys, who would give evidence against him. His Worship admitted the boy to bail one surety of £100. * Mr Earl said that the boy'e master would go bail,