THE CHRISTCHURCH FIRES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3954, 24 December 1929, Page 33

THE CHRISTCHURCH FIRES.

TWO YOUTHS ARRESTED. SERIES OF CRIMES ADAIITTED. CHRISTCHURCH, December 18. Sensational developments are stated to have followed the arrest of two young men in the early hours of this morning, and it is alleged that many of the recent acts of incendiarism which startled the city will be cleared up as the result of a confession by the accused. XV’hen arrested, the youths, according to the police, were masked and armed with a sawn-off .44 calibre rifle. The accused, James XVilfred Gray, aged 19, and Charles Robert Gray, aged 17, residing in Antigua street, were later jointly charged in the Magistrate’s Court with breaking and entering the shop of J. J. Brookes, 188 Manchester street, with intent to commit a crime. Charles Robert Gray was further charged with being found with a .44 calibre rifle in his possession with intent to commit a crime. Mr H. I*. Lawry, S.M., was on the bench. Mr M. J. Burns appeared for the accused. The police stated that the accused were caught in the premises mentioned in the charge about ’! o'clock this morning. They were in possession of masks, and one had a rifle, the barrel of which had been sawn off short. A remand was asked for on the grounds that other charges were pending. The accused were remanded to appear on January 7. Bail was not applied for. It is stated that the young men have admitted many acts of breaking and entering, theft, and incendiarism, including the disastrous fire at the petrol bond of Alessrs D. 11. Brown and Sons, Ltd., the Sydenham Bowling Club pavilion fire, the fire at the home of the mayor (the Rev. J. K. Archer), the fire at the furniture store of Messrs J. M. Heywood and Co., and the fire at the warehouse of Messrs Bing, Harris, and Co. To Constable Albert Gillum, a young officer only recently from the Police T ining School, the credit of the capture is due. It was stated by a prominent officer this morning that he showed courage, intelligence, and determination, and effected a singularly smart capture.

Constable Gillum, it is stated, was on his beat about 2 o’clock this morning when he noticed a mar standing in the shadow of the Civic Theatre, Manchester street His suspicions being aroused, he hid in a doorway on opposite side of the road and kept watch. Soon the man moved out of the shadow, and the watching officer saw that he carried something in his hands which looked like a gun. He then noticed another man standing in the right-of-way interfering with a back window of Mr J. J. Brookcs's bootshop which is on the opposite side of the right-of-way to the Civic Theatre. The constable’s problem now was to get close to the men without making his presence known, and thus scaring the suspects away. It was here that luck helped him. The man with the weapom who was evidently keeping guard, moved off down the street to see, it is supposed, if anyone was coming. Constable Gillum then acted quickly. Crossing the street without the guard seeing him, he came suddenly on the man in the right-of-way. and had him handcuffi I before he recovered his surprise. He then awaited the return of the second man. Great caution was necessary here, as the n.an was armed. Patiently the constable waited in the right-of-way until the footsteps of the other mar could be heard. He then stepped out suddenly and confronted him. Like his confederate, the man was taken by surprise, and gave in quietly. It was lucky he did not become troublesome because of the weapon he bore. Constable Gillum had no difficulty in getting the men to the police station, where they were formally charged. SENSATION A L 1) E X’ELO PAI E NTS EXPECTED. CHRISTCHURCH, December 19. Further sensational developments in connection with the arrest of the Gray brothers in Manchester street yesterday are expected. Investigations by the detectives to-day have brought to light fresh evidence which should be helpful in clearing up not only the epidemic of incendiarism, but other serious crimes and possibly the Hammond shooting case. Air Edward Hammond, the principal of Alessrs Hammond and Turner, who was shot by a burglar when he surprised the intruder in his business premises in Oxford terrace, was seen by detectives to-day. It is probable that Air Hammond will be asked to attend an identification parade during the holiday period. Yesterday a search was made of the suspects’ home in Antigua street, the detectives remaining there for some time. This morning Acting-Detective Hallcrow again visited the house and took possession of a hacksaw. This will figure as one of the main exhibits when the accused men appear for trial. A hacksaw has played a prominent part in more than one of the more serious crimes that have been committed in Christchurch during the past few months. In the case of the Dobson Garage, which was twice set alight, it was found on the second occasion that the lock on the door of the petrol- store had been sawn through with a hacksaw. Strangely enough, a hacksaw was used when thieves gained entrance- to Alessrs Hammond and Turner’s premises. It

will be remembered that Air M. E. Halligan, proprietor of the garage at the rear of Mr Hammond’s place, informed a reporter after that attempt that, in his opinion, two men were concerned. The revolver which, it is stated, was found on one of the youths at the time of his arrest was an old German weapon. It is believed to be a specimen which had been on exhibition at the Christchurch museum. The daring of the perpetrators of the recent burglaries is emphasised in a discovery which was made vesterdav by Air XV. H. Tisdall, of the well-known sporting goods firm in Cashel street. The sawn-off .44 calibre rifle, which was found in the possession of one of the youths yesterday morning, has been identified as one of the rilles which was taken from his shop during the last two weeks. Ihe police have in their possession another rifle similarly sawn off. It was found this morning that both rifles had been sawn off on Tisdall’s premises. The remaining pieces of each barrell were found in' Air Tisdall’s back vard. The job was not cleanly done, and Mr lisdall stated that roughly cut as the rilles were they would make most deadly weapons. Nearly 50 rounds of highpowered soft-nosed ammunition were also found in the possession of the suspects.

Constable Albert Cilium, who brought off the sensational arrest of the two suspects yesterday morning, is the hero of the hour. Yesterday and to-day lie has been receiving telegrams of congratulation from friends in and out of the police force all over the Dominion. Last evening a remarkable demonstration in which he was the central figure occurred outside the Civic Theatre. Constable Gillum was passing the theatre just as the crowd was leaving. Some fi lends recognised him, and in a moment he was surrounded by an enthusiastic croud who cheered him and wrung his hand. Tall, and of line stable Gillum is a native' of Christchurch. If ( unstable Gillum’s capture leads to the clearing up of the “lire bug” cases he will be entitled to the reward of £250 offered some time ago by the insurance companies. Payment of the reward is, of course, subject to the consent and approval of the Commissioner of Police. THE COAIAHSSIONER'S TRIBUTE. XX ELLINGTON, December 19. The Commissioner of Police (Air XV. B. Al’llveney) said to-night that he was proud to have Constable Albert Gillum a member of the force. Constable Gillum. who has only been in the force for 12 months, belongs to the XVellington station, and he was lent to Christchurch during the crime wave there. He was one of the three men taken south by the Commissioner when Mr Al’llveney took charge at the outset of the fires. Air Al’llveney said that Constable Gillum had made two good ari'eshs since he had joined the force, and as the captures were exceptionally smart ones the Commissioner had felt justified in having a mark of merit placed upon the young constable's sheet. “ I will take fine care.” said the Commissioner, “that Constable Gillum is substantially rewarded for this capture. I feci now that all the fire worries are at an end. Constable Gillum is a fine type of young man, being very keen and very efficient.” Mr Al’llveney said that constables had made four arrests with far-reaching effects in XVellington, Auckland. Christchurch, and Dunedin in the last few months.