EXPLOSION AND FIRE INVESTIGATED.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 20 September 1928, Page 5

EXPLOSION AND FIRE INVESTIGATED.

THREE MEN CHARGED WITH INSURANCE FRAUD. (By Telegraph—Frees Association). AUCKLAND*; This Day. Thomas Francis Carrol, Sydney Francis Waters and James Tate appeared in Court to-day, charged with wilfully setting tire to a grocery shop valued at £975, and conspiring to defraud the British Traders’ Insurance Co, of £6OO. Chief Detective Hammond stated that, a few days ago, Waters was discharged from the police force. Evidence was given by the trustee of the shop that Carroll had forwarded proof of loss through fire and a claim tor £394, Witness examined the debris. The stock did not appear to represent the statements in the stock sheets. h Erider/cvr was given by several witnesses that, immediately after the shop was blown up early on the morning of August 29th, they saw three men quickly .'enter a waiting car and drive off hurriedly without lights. Raymond John Murphy, whose wife is a sister of Waters, said that Waters and Tate were at his house on the night before the five. They went away about 10 p.m., returning home later with several boxes of groceries. Waters said the stuff was his. They left again and returned after finally leaving Murphy’s at 1;15 a.m. (August 29th). At that time Waters had no injury to the left arm, but tw6 days later Murphy saw him in hospital with severe arm injuries. Waters said that the injuries wore sustained through falling down. Two days later still Carroll saw witness and asked What Waters,was going to do with.the groceries. Murphy asked if the goods came from his shop. Carroll replied “Yes.” Murphy then requested that they be taken away from the house. Subsequently the police called at Murphy’s and seized the goods. The ease is proceeding.