ALLEGED ARSON AT WAIMATE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LIII, Issue 5918, 13 February 1880, Page 3

ALLEGED ARSON AT WAIMATE.

Charles Henderson Clarke, Annie Clarke, George Hayes and Robert Thompson, against whom a verdict of arson was returned at the inquiry held on Thursday, Feb. 5, were brought up for trial yesterday at the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Waimate, before E. Beetham, Esq., E.M., and His Worship the Mayor. Mr Clement appeared on behalf of Charles and Annie Clarke. The following fresh evidence was adduced: Sergeant Gilbert deposedl saw Thompson just as the fire was being extinguished. I asked him if he knew how the fire occurred. He said, “ No,” that he had slept in the house in the bedroom. He had closed up both shops about 10.30 p.m., locking the front door of the milliners’ shop and leaving the key inside. The front door of the saddler’s shop he had bolted inside, and he then looked the back door. It was impossible, he said, tor any one to get in without breaking the door. He won in bod when the fire broke out, and escaped through the bedroom window without saving anything. Saw him half an hour later, and asked him if he had not saved his portmanteau. He said, yes, also the bedclothes and a bag of sugar. I searched the debris and found the five locks produced, one was locked, the others were unlocked. On Feb. 7,1 was at the police station, Waimate, when the prisoner Hayes was discharged on bail. After he was discharged he returned and asked to see Thompson. On seeing him he said, “ Now, Thompson, I want for you to tell all you know about it. Now open your mouth and tell the truth, and you can free yourself and me too.” Thompson said, “ I have told all I know about it.’’ I know Hayes’ wife, she was at the police office on the morning of Feb. 6. The prisoners Thompson and B[ayes and myself were there. Mrs Hayes said, “Now, Thompson, if you tell the truth you can free yourself and us too.” Thompson replied, “Ho; Mrs Hayes, I cannot; I’ve told all i k*ow.” MrsHayessaid, “You know what you told me about Mrs Clarke.” Thompson said, “I only told vou that I believed Mrs Clarke

did it.” On Feb. 7 I had a further conversation with Hayes outside the station, and in the presence of Constable Fitzpatrick Hayes said, “Clarke has got me into this about those receipts. He brought them all to me in a lump at my place two or three days after the fire.” On Monday last I was at the cottage occupied by Mrs Clarke. Joseph Maberley, jun, was in charge of the premises as a bailiff. Maberley pointed out to me three boxes and a case full of clothes. On the following day I took the inventory produced. It includes saddler’s tools. Cross-examined by Mr Clement: There were, I think, three different sizes of locks. (The locks were examined, and four were found to ba of the same size.) I cautioned the prisoners when arretted, but cannot be sure of having cautioned Hayes. I have not tried to find out whether any of the goods I found in Mm Clarke’s collage had been obtained sicce the fire. Mrs Clarke told me a little boy had found two of the small tools and had brought them. Cross-examined by Thompson: You told me you bad “stubbed ” the back door. By Hayes: I did not tell you that Thompson said Mrs Clarke set fire to the place. You asked me to allow you to sea Thompson. I do not recollect your asking Thompson how the firo originated. You told Thompson that if he would clear himself, you would pay for a solicitor for him. James Sinclair, captain of the Waimate Fire Brigade, said : I was present at the fire on Jan. 25. I saw Thompson there. In answer to my enquiries, he told me that there was a kerosene lamp in the milliner’s shop, which he thought he put out. He screwed the wick up and then down again. He told me that he had saved his portmanteau and the other things that were in his bedroom. Joseph Maberley, jun., carpenter, deposed: The lock produced, the largest of those found in the debris was on the door of the saddlery shop. Another lock produced I also identify as having been on the kitchen door. The inventory of goods found in the cottage now occupied by Mrs Clarke was written by me. Cross-examined by Mr Clement: I hung the door about three years ago, when the addition to the burnt house occupied by Mr Clarke was built. The first part was built about six years ago; I assisted at the building. I think it would be difficult to get keys to open these locks. I had no keys that would open them. W. Reeves, saddler, deposed : I was apprenticed to Mr Clarke from July, 1877, to Oct., 1879. I valued the stock when I left at about £2O, without the tools. The tools would be worth about £7. I have seen some of the tools to-day at Mrs Clarke’s cottage. Cross-examined by Mr Clement: Ido not know that I have mentioned all the things that were in the shop. The witness then, on being questioned, recollected some other goods. [At the time our despatch left the case was not concluded, but we learn by telegraph that the four prisoners were committed for tried. Further evidence of an important character was submitted, which will be reported in due course.]