DOMINION NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 86, 11 December 1913, Page 3

DOMINION NEWS.

CTRL CHARGED WITH ARSON.

[Pee Press Association.] Christchurchj, ; December 10

An unusual case came before Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court this afternoon, when -fiolet Cooper, a superior-looking girl of 18, was charged with having committed the crime of arson.

Chief-Detective Bishop, in outlining the case, said that the-accused was employed as a domestic servant bv Mrs Hurst, pf Fendalton. On December 4, Mrs Hurst went out, leaving the girl in charge and giving her instructions regarding the cooking and the evening meal. The girl did not carry out her instructions, her explanation being that she did not know anything about icooking. It was alleged that she then sei fire to some curtains, and before the fire was got under, damage to tlie- extent of £5 was done. Accused was one -of a family of seven which arrived -in the Dominion in October last, and she, with another, sister, supported their mother, who . was a widow. On the suggestion of the Magistrate the charge was reduced to one of comimtting mischief causing damage to the extent of £5,. in order that accused might be dealt with summarily under the Industrial Schools Act. The Magistrate imposed a nominal sentence of one month's imprisonment, with a recommendation to the Governor to bring the girh wafierJth'G!'provisions of section 25 of the Industrial Schools Act. i ,11.' .:.. ;• i< h