THE OWHATA FIRES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14142, 18 August 1909, Page 8

THE OWHATA FIRES.

WATCHMAN CHARGED WITH ARSON.

CASE IN THE SUPREME COURT.

The circumstances relating to the mysterious outbreaks of fire which startled the inhabitants of the quiet Owhata settlement, in the Kaitaia district, in May and June last were related in the Supreme Court yesterday, when Wilson Stuart Adams, an elderly man, was presented before Mr. Justice Edwards upon a charge of arson.

The Crown solicitor (Hon. J. A. Tole) prosecuted, and Mr. J. R. Lundon defended. Accused entered a plea of not guilty.

Mr. Tole said the prisoner was charged on five counts with breaking and entering and setting fire to the schoolhouse at Owhata, also with setting fire to a second building. The series of outbreaks, the origin of which had been shrouded in considerable mystery, had occurred on May 15, June 13, and June 25. The prisoner was at the time engaged as night watchman at the Mitehelson Timber Company's mill at Owhata, and all the fires took place during the hours he was supposed to be on duty. On the first occasion, the fire in the school building was suppressed. An entry had been effected through one of the windows, and inside were found a quantity of chips and shavings, also a bobtlo of kerosene, which had been taken from one of the engineers at the mill. Three weeks later the building was again mysteriously set firo to, and demolished. A cottage was then placed at the disposal of the school authorities, and a night or two before it was to be opened as a school that building was also destroyed by fire. Although accused had seen the fires while on duty ho had given no alarm, nor had he rendered any assistance. When subsequently asked for his opinion, he had cast suspicion upon a Maori, who he said was jealous of his wife and the schoolmaster, and on another occasion had expressed the opinion that a boy, who was not fond of attending school, had set fire to the buildings. Trior to the fires accused had been heard to remark how easy it would be for anyone to set the schoolhouse alight and escape detection. In addition to this there was the direct testimony of a Maori girl, to whom accused had become very much attached. . He had asked the girl's parents for her, but they had refused, bocause she was merely a school girl. Accused was alleged to have then told her that ho would burn down the school, so that she would not have to go there. The day following the date of the first attempt lie was said to have told the girl that ho had done it, and to have spoken to her of the shavings and kerosene, which ho said he had taken there.

Evidence was given by Arthur Hossack, (manager of the Mitchelson Timber Company's mill), James William Dunsten (accountant for the company), and George Rouse (schoolmaster). The second witness handed in a photograph of some bare footprints which he had discovered in the sand near the accused's cabin on the morning following the last fire. Witness stated that when he told accused of the photograph he gave a slight start. The schoolmaster denied that there was any ground for the inference of jealousy which had been made by the accused, and which involved himself.

The further hearing of the case was adjourned until 10 o'clock this morning.