INCENDIARY FIRES

Evening Star, Issue 20591, 17 September 1930, Page 1

INCENDIARY FIRES

REWARD TO CONSTABLE OTHER OFFICERS RECOGNISED [Fnou Our I’arlumsktart Hepoktik.] September 16. The distribution of the reward of £250 offered jointly by the Council of the Firo and Accident U* 'Frwriters’ Associations of New Zcala and the State Fire Office in connects a with the incehdiary fires at Christchurch last year to members of the police force instrumental in securing the arrest and conviction of tho offenders was announced Mr Cobbc (Minister of Justice) to-night. “ Up to tho time of tho arrest of the brothers Gray on the night of December 18, 1929, by Constable A. T. Gillum, tho police had no information as to the identity of the incendiarists,” said the Minister. “ The Grays, who wljro armed, were arrested singlehanded by a young constable while one of them was actually engaged in breaking into a building. Tho circumstances of the arrest reflect great credit on Constable Gillum, who displayed marked intelligence, coolness, and courage. As the direct result of the arrest, tho evidence to convict the Gray brothers of a series of incendiary fires and other crimes was secured, and they wore sentenced to a lengthy period of imprisonment.” The Minister added that, in accordance with the recommendation of the Commissioner of Police, Constable Gillum, who was primarily responsible for the result, will bo paid £220, and the balance of £3O will bo divided between the following members of tho Force who, subsequent to the arrest, obtained the evidence which was presented to the court on tho trial of the offenders: —Detective-sergeant Young £9, Detective Findlay £9, Acting-de-tective Ualcrow £O, Sergeant Harrison £3. “ Although a Christchurch civilian claimed the reward on behalf of his son, investigation shows that neither he nor his son nor any other person unconnected with the police force supplied any information leading to the conviction of the Gray brothers.”