FIRES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 154, 24 March 1908, Page 9

FIRES.

GARDENER CHARGED, AVITH INCEXDIARISM. p/ - ' . (nr TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)' " .. . Auckland, March 23. ' ' Incendiarism ,is suspected in conn'cotion with the outbreak of firo on March lo at tho residence occupied by Mr. Mills, Collector of Customs, at Newmarket. Thp premises havb since boon under closo observation by the ■police,. and at 3 a.m. yesterday Constable Hunt arrested Thos. Fitzgerald, for twentythree yfiars' gardener, at tho iiouso, on a; charge of causing another fire, which was thoii conimcncing. ,Tlio Nowniarkot brigade extinguished the second outbreak after damhge amounting to' £50 had beijii dohe. arrested,' Fitzgerald is stated to, have had two candles and some' wasto in' his hands, while his clothing smelt, of kerosene. .''■■■' ' s- Tho : origin of tho previous firo at tho house; which is the homo'of Mr. Leo .Myers, who is away on a. visit toEurope, was stated to l)o a. mystery. About, half the house" was ;destro.yc'd, ' including. a quantity of goods stowed away by Mr., und Mrs. Myers prior to their departure. Tho total damagb was. osti-|i\at«l-at .£2001). The houso was' insured for £2000 in tho South British office. OUTBREAK, AT ASHBURTON." AshbUi-ton, March 23. A fivo-roomod honso -at Staveloy, owned and occupicd by G. S. M'Rau, was, together with: its contents, totally destroyed by fire early this morning, tho occupants barely escaping. The .house ;wns insured for £150, and the furnitnro. for £75, both in the State office. ,■...'■ . ■