RECENT AUCKLAND SENSATION

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 302, 21 September 1928, Page 13

RECENT AUCKLAND SENSATION

EXPLOSION AND FIRE IN GROCER S SHOP

ACCUSED COMMITTED FOR TRIAL

By Telegraph.—Press Association.

Auckland, September 20.

Thomas Francis Carroll, Sydney Francis Waters, and Janies Tate appeared in the Magistrate’s Court today charged with wilfully setting fire to a grocery shop valued at £975, and conspiring to defraud the British Traders’ Insurance Company of £6OO. Chief-Detective Hammond stated that a few days ago Waters was discharged from the police force. Evidence was "'ven by the trustee of the shop that Carroll had forwarded proof of loss through fire and a claim for £394. Witness examined the debris. The stock did not appear co represent the statements in the stock sheets. Evidence was given by several witnesses that immediately after the shop was blown up early on the morning of August 29 they saw three men quickly enter a waiting car and drive oil’ hurriedly without lights. Raymond John Murphy, whose wile is a sister of Waters, said that Waters and Tate were at his house on the night before the live. They went away about 10 p.m., returning an hour later with several boxes of groceries.. Waters said that the stuff was liis. They. left again and returned after midnight, finally leaving Murphy’s at 1.15 a.m. At that time Waters had no injury to his left arm, but two days later Murphy saw him in hospital with severe arm injuries. Waters said that the injuries had been sustained by failing down. Two days later still Carroll saw witness and asked what Waters was going to do with the groceries. Murphy asked if the goods came from bis shop. Carroll replied. “Yes. Murphy then requested that they be taken away from his house. Subsequently the police called at Mitrphy s and seized the goods. Detectives read statements made by Waters and Carroll. Waters in his statement said it was arranged between Carroll and himself that after the groceries were removed the store should be set on fire. Tait helped him to remove the groceries in a taxi-cab. Carroll went to the theatre that night. As far as Waters could remember it was Tait who set fire to the shop. He (Waters) was under the influence of liquor at the time. Tait took him to the hospital after he received an injury as ..the result of the explosion. Carroll in his statement said: “I knew the shop was to be destroyed by fire on August 28, but I did not make any arrangements and was not present at the fire. About August 30 I called on Waters at the police station, when he told me it was he and Tait who set lire to tlie shop, and that when the explosion occurred lie was standing on the road. I did not recompense Tait or Waters for setting lire to the place. At the time I made a claim on the insurance office I included groceries removed by Waters and Tait.” Detective-Sergeant Bickerdikc said that after making his statement Waters added: “If I hadn’t received an injury to, my arm from the explosion I don’t think your would have found out about the fire.” Carroll, on being shown the statement made by Waters, said: “I am pleased he didn’t say I set fire to the store and that I was at the fire.” Both these statements were shown to Tait, and he said: “Let them prove it if they say I carted stuff from the store and that I was at the ;pe.” Accused, who reserved their defence, were committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail was fixed at £7OO. ■