BIRKETT'S FIRE

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 116, 19 May 1931, Page 10

BIRKETT'S FIRE

AEREST MADE

LABOURER CHARGED

REMANDED ON BAIL

In connection with the fire at Birkett; and' Sons, Ltd.,, garage, on 20th April, a. sensational'turn''occurred at 5 o'clock ■ last evening, when Hilton Herbert Brooks, a labourer, aged 25, was arrested in the city.by Detective M'Lennan,' and; charged with wilfully setting fire to Birkett's garage on 20th April/ -I.: . -■■■: '■,■■.■;■■..■.•■. .'-. ■•:.■•. ■ When Broflks appeared before Mr. E. Page,; S.M.,' at the ■ Magistrate's Court to-day, Sub-Inspector Ward asked for a reniand until 27th May. Mr. ■ W.. B. 'Leicester; who appeared for the. accused^ said that Brooks was a young married mart living in Wellington. "The;charge is a' grave one, but I am instructed that the police are not opposed to bail," continued Mr. Leicester. "The accused has already .given the police a certain amount of assistance." ■" •' -.: ;■ •■ ■ ■ '•■ '" ■' ■ ■'' -"': .' ; Sub-Inspector- Ward did not oppose bail/ but asked ,that the amount fixed should be fairly, substantial. Mr. .Leicester: '<The police are mak-ing-inquiries ; which * are likely to be rather exhaustive, and it' may mean that if he doea'-not get bail he will be remanded in gaol from week to week." ' ■ ■' ' '"•.■■■ ■■"■:•' ■ ' ■"■'■ . *' .- The Magistrate fixed bail at £500, with, one:surety' of : £500, or two sureties of ,£250. A condition was made that the accused should report daily to'the police. ,',:;' .