ALLEGED ARSON.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume IV, Issue 396, 19 March 1915, Page 6

ALLEGED ARSON.

CONT RADICTO RY E VIDENCE. Oarnnru, March 18. The magisterial enquiry into the fire at tlie Star and Garter Hotel was continued before Mr. J. B. Bothome cw, S.M., yesterday. Samuel Clark, commercial traveller, continuing his evidence, swore that in conversation with Miss Teller after the fire she offered to make good his losses so long as he did not report what she had said to the authorities. Witness gave as his excuse for not reporting the alleged conversation that he was so bewildered and worried. Asked why he stopped in the house, cr did not mention the matter to the Harveys, he said they would have wanted an explanation as to why he left them after stopping there invariably on his visits to Oanrnru.

Tie was subjected to a strict crossexamination, and was in the box for over three hours. Miss Telfer, whose examination dal net cone tide till a quarter-past six. absolutely denied the alleged conversation with Clark, (. lark, she a(i t 1 I it tl 1 t ge 1 that she shftmd visit him in his 11 fl I M es let 1 I a 1n i 11 t j ceedings on the night or the lire ana on subsequent days. When she was visiting Clark’s sample rooins with a companion to choose goods Clark was in a great stats as to his losses and as to why George Harvey, son of the lessee, had not attempted to rescue them. The enquiry .is proceeding this evening, but wi l not conclude until to-morrow, as a number of witnesses have yet to be called.