ALLEGED ARSON

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 10 March 1933, Page 4

ALLEGED ARSON

CHARGE AGAINST STANLEY LENNIE A TAHUNA OCCURRENCE FINGER-PRINT EVIDENCE Stanley Herbert Lennie appeared on remand before Mr T. E. Maunsell S.M. at the Magistrate’s Court to-day charged with having on 24th February at Taliuna wilfully attempted to set fire to a building occupied by Philip William Hoy Hawke. Detective F. Sinclair conducted the case for the police and Mr S. H. Moynagli appeared for accused. ■ Detective Sinclair in evidence stated that on the evening of 24th February last in response to a telephone message he proceeded to the home of Philip W. Hoy Hawke at Beach road, Taliuna in company with Constable Lake. On learning of what had taken place he examined the premises. The hack entrance to the house stands high from the level of the hack yard there being 11 or 12 steps leading to it. About 4ft away from the steps was the entrance door to the basement which had the greater part of the floor of wood. In the basement were indications of fire having taken place the wooden floor showing signs of having been burningThe nearest burn mark was about sft inside the basement door. At the seat of the fire witness found a whisky bottle which, as the result of smelling lie concluded had contained kerosene. There were finger-prints on the bottle, and it could not be identified by Mr or Mrs Hawke and so witness took possession of it. Mr Hawke handled the bottle when witness found it. On the scene of the fire was also a used match, the only one witness could find. On the floor of the basement was a burned shirt and paper which had been burning (these being produced). Witness also took possession of a bicycle which had been standing in the basement, the two tyres of which had been destroyed by fire. The tyre of another cycle hail also been affected by fire. On learning that the accused had called at the home of Mr Hawke witness went to interview him. He was not at home but a search resulted in his being found near a tree trying to hide. In answer to a question in regard to the fire at Mr Hawke’s home accused said lie did not know what witness was talking about. Witness explained to accused that a fire had broken out in the basement of the house shortly after accused had called there that evening and accused immediately said: “Can you prove I did it?” When accused was found lie was on his knees endeavouring to hide. He was on a sloping hank with his arms crossed over his head. When accused stood up Constable Lake asked if lie had a bottle in his,pocket and accused replied: “Yes, of kerosene.” The bottle (produced) was handed over to witness. Accused said lie got the bottle from his home and on being asked wliat lie was. going to do with it said lie was going to fill the primus. Asked where the primus was lie said, “At home.” On 25th February witness took accused’s fingerprints and these with the bottle found in the basement were forwarded to Wellington. To Mr Moynagh witness said it was 1] o’clock at night when accused was found. It was a dark night and the detective was using his torch. When Lennie was found he was awake and spoke when addressed by witness. Mr Moynagli: “Have you ever known old whisky to smell and taste like kerosene?” 1

Detective Sinclair: “I've never tasted kerosene.” ■

In answer to it further question witness said Lennie had been drinking. Senior Sergeant Edmund Walter Dinnie, in charge of the Criminal, Investigation Department, Wellington, stated on 28tli February last lie received by post the bottle produced and the finger-prints of Stanley Herbert Lennie. He examined the bottle and found four identical finger-prints on it. There were three on one side of the bottle and one just below the neck. The finger-print below the neck of the bottle was identical with the left ring finger on the accused’s finger-print form. The other three fingerprints he later identified as those of Mr P. W. H. Hawke. He later photographed and enlarged the print on the neck of the bottle, also the left ring finger-print and produced the enlargements. He was absolutely satisfied that the print on the bottle was made by the same person as made that on the finger-print form and that accused had recently handled the bottle.

In answer to Mr Moynagh the witness said a finger-print’s life on a glass under cover would be for some weeks. The prints on the bottle were from natural grease from the fingers. Philip William Hoy Hawke said on the night of 24tli February 1933 at 8 o’clock lie saw accused who called at witness’s house to see accused’s wife who was staying at the house occupied by witness. Witness heard the conversation which took place between accused and his wife and at about 8.30 witness smelt something burning. At this time lie was in the kitchen with his wife and Mrs Lennie. Several minutes later witness discovered .black smoke issuing from the basement and there was a glare from the flames. The floor of the basement was on fire and also the tyres on liis son’s cycle and one on his own machine. With the assistance of his wife and Mrs Lennie the fire was put out. By the manner in which the floor was burning it appeared that something had been poured over the floor and lighted. Tlie only damage done to the house was the charring of the floor in the basement. In the basement was a blind rolled up and also a tin of kerosene which was kept there for household use. The flames had reached the tin of kerosene, "'hen witness went to the basement. Prior to that evening it was five to six months since accused had called at his house. (Proceeding).