ALLEGED ARSON.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 304, 23 December 1891, Page 5

ALLEGED ARSON.

THE VICTORIA-STREET FIRE,

T. •S. ■ JONES . BEFORE THE COURT.

Thomas Slater Jones appeared, on remand, at the Police Court this morning, before Mr Bishop, R.M., charged that he did on the 16th of December, unlawfully, maliciously and feloniously set fire to a dwelling-house in Victoria-street, Auckland, with intent to defraud ' the South British Insurance Company. Inspector Broham conducted the case on behalf of the police, and Mr J. A. Tole appeared on behalf of the accused. Frederick Abercrombie deposed that shop 129, Victoria-street, o%vned by Dr. Kenderdine, was rented the accused at 15s per week. There was a sum of £4' 15s in arrears previous to the fire. .

Randall A. Lusher deposed that the accused had a policy of £150 on fancy goods and £150 on jewellery in the Royal Insurance Company, dated from December 19th, 1889. The policy would have ceased on December 19th, thie'year. The damage done by the fire was £92 on fancy goods and £13 10b on jewellery. Edward Bartley, architect, deposed to having , examined the building after the lire for the South British Insurance Company. The damage done to the building was aboub £65. The seat of tbe fire was behind the shop.

Chief-Detective Kirby deposed that he was on the premises between 5' a.m. and 6 j a.m on the day of the fire. A portion of the floor, wall-boards and ceiling were charred and burned through. He produced a box containing portions of burnt Chinese lanterns. Part of cho-flooring under this box was burned, and this was the only portion of the flooring that was burned. The debris round the box consisted of burnt paper aiiri several empty medium-sized boxes. A lining board behind the box was burned through. He saw accused, and asked if he knew how the fire had originated. Accused said he supposed someone must have put a lighted match under the shop door. Witness pointed out that this- could not have been done. The accused said there was £300 insurance on the stock, but he was afraid the policy had expirod. On the came day witness, in company with Detective Hughes,and Sergeant Kelly, saw the accused at a houee at Devonport. The accused denied having brought any parcels over on the previous evening, and said the only things he had brought to the house were two small boxes (produced) saved from a previous fire in Queen-street. They found one room locked. The accused eaid that waa Mrs Hodgkins" private bedroom, and that Mrs Hodgkins was in Auckland with the key. Witness entered tbe room accompanied by Sergeant Kelly. There was no female attire in the room. He found there a gun and a large wooden trunk, locked. Mrs Hodgkins, having arrived, said she had several articles from the accused to take care of. She handed to witness jewellery and other articles now before the Court, also deeds, insurance policy, and book? (produced), which she said belonged to the accused. Subsequently, Mrs Hodgkine handed to witness a gold watch, diamond ring'and earrings, which she said were presents to herself from the accused. Detective Hughes and Sergeant Kelly gave corroborative evidence. James Stichbury deposed that prior to the fire he valued Jones's stock for the Royal Insurance. He put down £144 for fancy goods, and £65 for jewellery. He valued the goods produced in Court at £149,. 12s Bd. . ' . ~; Evidence was also given by John B. Luke, who lives next door to the premises destroyed by fire. He was aroused by a smell of smoke and on getting up saw Jonea on his verandah, while a volume of smoke was issuing from the premises. Accused was dressed in his trousers and shirt and seemed very excited. ,-,; Mary Carson, who gave the alarm, said she saw accused in the smoke apparently doing nothing. Daniel Murray eaid he saw accused on the verandah apparently stupotied. Martha A. Hodgkins deposed that about cix monthe ago: the accused asked her to marry him. She replied jokingly that "it wouldn't be bad for him." Accused took a room at her honse for his health. He gave her various presents. The articles produced he gave her to take charge of. (Left sitting.) ,