THE ROKEBY-STREET FIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7271, 9 March 1885, Page 6

THE ROKEBY-STREET FIRE.

The hearing of the charge of arson against Valentine Bscquet (known as " Mad*me Valentine") was resumed at the Police Court before the Resident Magistrate (EL G. Seth Smith, Esq.) on Saturday morning. Sergeant Pratt conducted the case on behalf of the prosecution, and Theo. Cooper and Mr. George appeared on behalf of the accused. — Lizzie Henaessy, an inmate cf Paddington Villa at the time of the fire, corroborated the previous witness as to the conversation between " Madame " and Julia Wilson. She was the first to give the alarm of fire, and was awoke by the flames bunting through the dining-room from the kitchen below, the pianoforte falling through before the witness got out of the room, she having to jump from chair to chair, as the floor was in such a heat. She accompanied the other witnesses to the kitchen for supper, and the gas was turned off by her. She saw the accused carry no clothing from the burning house. In cross • examination by Mr. Cooper, the witness said the coal which was burned at tea time was that which went to a fine ash.— Annie Dunn, another occupant of Paddington Villa, gars a general corroboration to the evidence of the previous witnesses who were in the house.—Annie Summers, wife of John Summen, blacksmith, Nelson-street, said the accused came to - her house after the fire, at half-past five a,m. Witness deposed to> their conversation, in which the accused said she discovered the fire, and her friend doB having matches, they groped their way to the door, and Lizzie Hennessy was then arousing Julia Wilson. The accused informed the witness that she had not pushed the gas jet round in going into the kitchen, and, in fact, had not lit the gas at all.--Maria Tovey, wife of Robert Torey, coot. Upper Neloon-street, who was at Summer* house when the accused was there, said the accused told her that she went into the kitchen to make a cup of tea, when the A*™ 6* burst through ths door into her face. Tea was not a drink the accused had ever taken during her acquaintance with her.— Bertie Lee, an inmate of the Wellealeystreet House (Minnie Williams*) deposed to a statement the accused had made on Sunday morning as to the treatment sso**^ o**o**0 ** received from Julia WUsod, and that ' she would see them in the ditch or burnt yet —In cross-examination by Mr. Cooper, tee witness said no one had heard the conversation bat themselves.—Detective Twob '£, who arrested the accused, deposed as in statement at the time of the fire, and w finding her , subsequently at the hon m Nelson-street, when she said there was policy of £300 upon the house. She ownw the property, and had paid £500 lor *» £300 for the furniture, spent ±xw* repairs, and lost £100 worth of oIoft»|Sergeant Bulford, clerk in Supennteoaeu Thomson's office, said the accused caliea the office on February 26 to request pamission of Mr. Thomson to allow £«"""§ ton Villa to be occupied byj.her. S»M' ■£ she had come expressly from Sydney the purpose. If the police would »£«gg with her request she would sell trie w«— He informed her that Mr.. Thomson wo»£ make, no concession with her.—in% _# the case for the prosecution.—Mr.JWrg in opening his address for the defence, «£ if a prima facie case had been ** d ° °° fied His Worship said he was quite sw there was not, and dismissed the "u, tion.-The accused was at once discharge and the Court adjourned at ne o ewea.