FISH SHOP FIRE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20209, 30 March 1940, Page 6

FISH SHOP FIRE

ARSON CHARGE FAILS OPOTIKI HAPPENINGS A motor mechanic, Robert John Pennell, and driver, Ronald Horace Russel, both aged 20, appeared in the Opotiki Police Court on Thursday before justices of the peace and were each committed to the Supreme Court at Gisborne when they pleaded guilty to charges of breaking and entering Maryau Mravich’s restaurant with intent to commit a crime. The two accused pleaded not guilty to charges of arson, and the information was dismissed. Sergeant J. Isbister said that the two young men had been to a dance on Monday evening and were returning home at about 3 a.m. when they visited the restaurant. They climbed on to the roof above the kitchen and gained entry to that room by letting themselves down through a skylight. They were apparently disturbed and were seen and arrested by the witness. Half an hour after the accused had been in the restaurant the building was noticed to be on fire. Damage was done to kitchen fittings and furniture, but the brigade prevented the spread of the flames. Evidence was given by a postal official, R. C. Brownlie, Mrs. Mravich, Mravich, who said that he heard people talking of wrecking his shop many times, the manager of the Bay of Plenty Power Board, and J. D. Dicker. Mr. E. C. East, who appeared for the accused, said the two young men, who had both enlisted, got into a party where there was a discussion of wrecking the restaurant. There was no evidence that any damage was done and there was no evidence to show that the accused wilfully set fire to the premises - . Ho admitted that the accused intended to wreck the restaurant, but they had not intention of setting fire to the place.