THE GERALDINE FIRE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVII, Issue 11231, 31 March 1897, Page 6

THE GERALDINE FIRE.

W. H. Webber was yesterday brought up on remand at Geraldine, before Mr C. A. Wray, S.M., and Mr H. W. Moore, J .P., charged with setting fire to a certain store with intent to defraud. Mr White appeared for the Crown and Mr Raymond for accused. The fresh evidence, apart from that previously given at the coroner’s inquest, was given by Wilford ITocktou, draper’s assistant, who deposed that two weeks after commencing business .in Geraldine Webber complained that the sales were not large enough. After the first two weeks the sales decreased still further, and a fortnight before the fire accused’s manner changed. He did not then grumble about the sales, though they had decreased considerably. In witness’s hearing accused grumbled to the representative of Messrs Cook and Gray that a lot of the stock was damaged, and he seemed to want a discount for the damaged stock. The stock was picked over by local storekeepers, who bought a good deal of it. Witness met accused going for the brigade on the night of the fire, and saw him smoking a cigarette. After the fire accused said to witness, “I am losing a lot by this fire.” Witness said, “ I don’t see how you can lose, considering the price you gave for the stock.” Accused then said, “You need not tell the general public that.” John James M’Caskey, local agent for the Victoria Insurance Company, stated that a few days before the fire he saw accused about a fresh proposal. Accused said his stock was worth .£I3OO, and witness said he would not accept a greater nsk than .£BOO for one month. On the day of the fire accused signed a proposal for £BOO. Witness understood that accused represented the value of the stock according to the stock-sheets. Accused told witness he had a letter which covered his stock for £IOOO till March 27, 1897. If he (witness) had known that accused only gave £934 for his stock, and sold £3OO worth or more out of it, ho would not have given him cover for £BOO. Accused, who reserved his defence, was committed for trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court at Timaru, on June 22. Bail was allowed the accused in £3OO, and two sureties of £l5O each. The bail was forthcoming. -*