ARSON ALLEGED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 302, 21 December 1935, Page 10

ARSON ALLEGED.

BREWER CHARGED. I i i DESTRUCTION OF HOTEL I COMMITTED FOR. TRIAIi. f ■ ** ——— i j (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) ; PALMERSTON N., this da y. Further evidence was taken yesterdry ja the Police Court case in which Douglas Henry Colin Baker, a brewer, was charged that on or about May S, 1033, he committed arson by wilfully setting fire to the ifakotuku Hotel. Edwin Walter Barringer, electrician, of Hamilton, said six months before the fire accused had said the hotel was a bit of a. load and that ho "would like to get rid of it," suggesting that witness should see MeGill about living the building. Witness asked accused why lie did not see McGill himself, and accused replied that ho did not want Juni hanging around the brewery. Witness said he consented and saw McGill. "I went back to Baker and told lira McGill would fire the hotel for £ 15, bμt that he must have cash,' , said Barringer. He added that accused had xepiied he would fix it up after he got money. Baker had later saia that those fellows would have to lurry up and fire the hotel, because they would be selling him up. This was about , 10 days before the lire, and witness knew ■ accused was pressed for money. Alleged Cheque Transaction. Subsequently Baker gave witness a cheque, for about £7, with instructions to give '-it- to McGill ;and tell him he ■would give him the .balance on .receipt of the insurance money. McGill. had cashed .the cheque at .witness', shop. McGill had arranged to fire the hotel on Sunday night. On the night of the fire th'ey left Palmerston North at about 11 o'clock by car. Recently, witness had pleaded "guilty to his part in the offence. After the fire witness had seen Baker, *od accused had said: "I see they have made a job at Makotnku." Accused asked witness if McGill and the other man Lad done it, and witness had areplied that it had been McGill. Witness went on to detail how he later •visited the scene of the fire with Baker and said , accused told him that Senk •was "going crook" at him for not letting iim in the know. . . ■■. Some time after, accused handed witness ar note for £1 or 10/, saying "You know what that is for." Witness signed atre.cei.pt for it on-account ; of McGill. Accused, pleaded not guilty and. was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. . .*.

An earlier report appears on page 15