CHARGE OF ARSON

Northern Advocate, 3 May 1934, Page 6

CHARGE OF ARSON

HIKURANGI EPISODE CLUEARD GUILTY ON TWO COUNTS. ENTRY AND LIGHTING CLOTHES. LENIENCY ASKED FOR WARD. SENTENCE DEFERRED. (Special to “Northern Advocate.”) AUCKLAND, This Day. The hearing was concluded last evening, in the Supreme Court, of the four charges, including one of arson, preferred against Leonard Clueard and Frederick Ernest Ward. The charges arose out of a fire which destroyed a house at Hikurangi, the same being the property of Christie’s Estate. Mr Justice Ostler presided. Mr R. K. Trimmer represented Clueard, and Mr Webb appeared for Ward. Accused wore charged with breaking and entering on March 3, 1031, a dwelling on a property known a« Christie’s Farm, Hikurangi, and occupied by John Wright Christie, with intent to commit a crime; with setting fire to the dwelling; with sotting fire to clothes ami blankets so situated that they know the dwelling was likely to catch fire; and with wilful damage to the value of £5, thereby committing mischief. Accused pleaded not guilty. Ward, in evidence stated that The jury returned after an absence of four hours with a verdict of guilty against Clueard on the charges of breaking and entering with intent to commit a crime, and witli sotting fire to clothes and blankets so situated that ho knew the dwelling was likely to catch fire. Against Ward, a verdict of guilty was returned on the charge of breaking and entering with intent to commit a crime. Ward was recommended to leniency. His Honour deferred sentence until the end of the criminal sessions.