"GRAVE SUSPICIONS"

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 83, 4 October 1929, Page 15

"GRAVE SUSPICIONS"

CHRISTCHURCH FIRE

DELIBERATELY STARTED (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHBISTCHUKCH, 3rd October. '' If there is over-insurance of pro pcrty of the nature shown in this cast if will be a direct incentive to incen dinrism," said Mr. Levvey, S.M., a thu conclusion of an inquest into a fire which destroyed a house in Hollj" roac on the evening of 9th September. Th< house was owned and occupied by A. V Clements, and the evidence was thai when the fire occurred there was no on< at home. The Coroner's verdict was that th< premises were damaged and partiallj destroyed by two fires, one in a bed room and one in the scullery, that botl fires were deliberately and independent ly started with the intention of de stroying the premises. "I further find," he added, "tha' while circumstantial evidence gives ris( to grave" suspicions as to the originate of the said fires, the full evidence falls short of enabling this Court to arriv< at a final decision on that point." The evidence' of A. V. Clements owner of the property, was that h< bought it for £92^ or^£9so in 191S Since then he had improved it. H( claimed that the value of the house Tva; £1100 or £1200. The insurance or the house was £1425. The furnituri yas insured for i£4so,,and he estimat cd it was worth about that amount ai the time of tlie fire. Ho was at Chev iot, and had not been home for tw( o:- three weeks prior to the fire. Rebecca Matilda Clements, wife oJ tho previous witness, said she went oui on 9th September for the evening witl five 'children to the pictures.: Aftei going out she returned to write a note Witness told the children to go on. Wit ness could not find a letter-card, anc did not write a note, but hurried aftei the children. She did not see them oi the tram, but met them after the pic ture show at the theatre. She return ed home to find all the lights out, anc a fireman in charge of the house. Some clothing was. missing. Someone , muai have broken into the house and stolei the things. "■ "• ■.■"■■• Chief-Detective Cairoll produced s> child's fancy dress costume, part oi which was saturated with petrol 11 had been found at the seat of the fin m the bedroom. The value of the goods destroyed was £38, and of those missing £8. The Chief-Detective: "There's nc doubt that you were pushed for monej at the time of this fire." Witness: "No, I was not." "Do you think the things in tht house .were worth'£4o4?" Witness: "Yes."'

James Hutchings, assessor, gave evidence of having inspected the damaged property. The value of the goods damaged was £38 lls, and £200 would bo the outside.limit of the value.of the goods remaining. Other evideuee was that tho key was round in a back door! A tin of petrol was outside, two foet "from the door. Detective-Sergeant O'Brion said he found sacking and part of a child's taney dress, smelling of petrol, at the seat of the fire. There was no sign of anyone having forced an entry into the house.