ACCUSATION OF INCENDIARISM.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 7947, 2 December 1886, Page 5

ACCUSATION OF INCENDIARISM.

Auckland, November 23. An inquiry commenced at Onebunga into the late fire at Gibbous’ mill. Mr Cotter appeared for the Union Insurance Company. Ernest Kerub, a former of J. S. Gibbons, depossd that Gibbons told him there was* £lO note sticking put if he fired the building, and also showed him how a candle could be arranged in a box to cause fire at any period of time desired. He refused to entertain the proposal. Gibbons in his evidence emphatically denied the accusation. He intends to sue the Company for the insurance. The case is not concluded. Auckland, November 24. At an inquiry extending over two full days into the burning of Gibbons’ cooperage at Onehunga on the 19th October last, the jury, at 11.20 last night, returned a verdict “ that the mill was set firs to wilfully by some person or persons unknown,” In his evidence, Ernest Kerub, an employe of Gibbons, swore that the latter repeatedly asked him to burn down the place at intervals extending over two months prior to the fire, Mrs Kerub corroborated her husband’s statement, having overheard a portion of the conversation. A settler named Chapman deposed that five weeks before the fire Kerub told him that Gibbons had offered him £lO to burn down the place.