SENSATIONAL CASE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 10788, 8 January 1929, Page 6

SENSATIONAL CASE

BOABDBN U-l-10 USE FIRE IN . BRISBANE. CHARGE' OF ARSON AND MURDER. BRISBANE, Doc. 16. Sensational evidence was given in the pol.ce court to-day during the hearing of the case in which Colin Uonny Anderson, aged 22 years, laborer, is charged with liaving on October 60, at Cordelia street ; South Brisbane, wilfully and unlawfully set tire to the dwellinghouse of Ethel iNicholls. Anderson is also - - charged with t’ho wilful murder of Sidney Mullens. dam-clothes Police-Constable J. Cook said that ou December 6 he took Anderson to the South Brisbane police station. He informed Anderson that Hector brands McDonald had gone to a priest and had confessed all that lie knew about the fire, and that the priest had sent McDonald to a solicitor, who had communicated with the police. McDonald, in the presence of Anderson, then said that he had been a boarder at Linton residential house. On the Saturday before the fire Anderson came into his room and said. “I am going to burn the place down.” He told Anderson that ho would be very foolish to do anything like that. On the Sunday night Anderson said to him, “I will have to put it up. Mum’s been having a rough time lately.” On the following night Anderson said, “I am going to burn the place down to-night. 'We owe more than £SO for rent.” He (McDonald) fell asleep, hut was awakened by Anderson getting out of bed and going downstairs. A couple of minutes later Anderson came upstairs ugam, and said that lie had everything ready, and had only to put a match to it. McDonald told Anderson that lie was mad, as everybody was asleep. Anderson replied that he would give the alarm after the fire was going, and would give everybody a chance. Anderson then went downstairs, and after a few minutes rushed into the room and said, ‘‘lt’s going, Hec.” Anderson then ran along the passage-way, bumping the walls with his lists. Next morning, while he (McDonald) was standing in front of the burnt building, Anderson came up and asked if they had found ‘■fjiddy.” When told that his remains had been found in the lire, Anderson said that he “did not think it would turn out lijve that.” Anderson had also told him that he was to get £6O when his mother and Mrs Wise obtained the insurance. After McDonald had made his statement, Anderson said that he was wrong n places. The house contained 23 rooms, and there were more than 20 boarders. Anderson's mother was proprietress of the place. Anderson was remanded.