WILFULLY SETTING FIRE TO A BUILDING.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 47, 11 March 1903, Page 2

WILFULLY SETTING FIRE TO A BUILDING.

Oliver Campbell Gibiw and Leonard Edward Faulkner were charged with baring (1) wilfully attempted to eet fire to a drolling in Gibbs* Valley ? and. (2) with baring put kerosene and Bome brush wood and burnt It, with the object of communicating tbe fite to the houseTb e following jury was empanelled • — R. Biggs- C< Remnant- -T. p. Clear- A. &• Bibhards, C. A. Green, W. fioekejr, ti Adam3on, G. W. ; Jarrett, A. W; Day, W; Snodgrass, A . fitaleojm; ■W; Robbrtstth* Mr Grebu iras appointed rtirfcfliaSMr Pitt acted as counsel for the accused, who pleaded not guilty. Mr C. Y. Fell. Crown Prosecutor, then explained the case to the jury. He considered the lads did attempt to set fire to the houseman;!' he thought fcke jury would agroewith this. He Galled i j "' Annie Kite, wife of fhomas Site, lmng at Church Valley, Wakefield, who gave evidence similar to that given In the Magistrate's Court, ana whion ww folly reported in these columns. Evidence waß also given by Austin Herbert Thomas, Francis James Jeffries, and Constable Charles Knapp, After counsel had argued, his Honor summed up, and in his remarks contend ed tbat if they found the prisoners charred the side, of the hotUe with th§ intention of frightening tbo womdnj theti they could reasonably find the iiriaonetS guilty ojl tl-p third* ctfdnfc. ? J4tk&flitii wdrb nbt children, fend the jury must as-* sume that thore was an intention tojchar tbe house, or they would not hare cued kerosene. The jnry retired, and on returning found the accused guilty on the third count of putting kerosene on the brushwood with a «riew to burning the building, out strongly recommended them to m rcy. The accused were admitted to six months' probation, but were ordered to pay £3 eaob costs, to be paid in sums rf 10s per month. (Left Sitting) *^*' " r ■ *" - "» ■~'-=