COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 826, 30 December 1887, Page 31

COUNTRY NEWS.

FEILDING 1

(from our own cokrespondent.) December 24. The case of the Police v. Henry, arising out of the recent fire by which a block of three buildings was destroyed, was heard in the Resident Magistrate’s C»urt here yesterday. It lasted from 10 a.m. till 11 p.m., and excited probably more interest than has any criminal case hithertoheard in the Feilding Court. The charge was to the effect that the police had cause to suspect, and did suspect, that the said Charles Henry set fire to the premises occupied by - him as a saddler with intent to defraud the Northern and Equitable Insurance Companies. It will be remembered that these are the two companies who held risks on Henry’s stock, tools, &c. The bench consisted of four Justices of the Peace, and the prosecution was conducted by Inspector James, chief police officer of the Wanganui district. Mr E3am, of Marion, was instructed by the two insurance companies named, and also the New Zealand, to watch the proceedings on their behalf, while Mr Sandilands, of Feilding, with him Mr Hankins, of Palmerston North, appeared for the accused. No fewer than 22 witnesses were examined, 16 of whom were for the prosecution. Detective Benjamin, of Wanganui, and Constable Meehan, of Feilding, deposed to finding a number of tools and a quantity of saddle c’s stock in the private residence of the accused, away from the shop, the defence set up against this evidence being that he was in the habit of keeping some of his stock at his dwelling. After hearing the whole case, and a lengthy and able address from Mr Hankins, the Bench retired for a few minutes, and then stated their decision to send the case before a jury. The accused was accordingly committed to take his trial at the next session of the Supreme Court at Wanganui, which, takes place in April next. He was liberated on the same bail as during the remand, viz., his own recognisance of 8200 and two sureties of 8100 each.