NOT GUILTY OF INCITING

Taranaki Daily News, 11 July 1929, Page 8

NOT GUILTY OF INCITING

TALK OF FIRING A SHOP.

REILLY CHARGE DISMISSED.

"I do not think it would be proper for mo to convict on the evidence before me,” said Mr. R. W. Tate, S.M., in New Plymouth yesterday in his reserved decision dismissing charges of inciting to commit arson against Henry Reilly, who was tho proprietor of a shop in Devon Street east.

When tho case was heard last week it was alleged that on or about February 14 Reilly had suggested to Noel Carlton Way that he "should set the place alight for a consideration of £2, end that similar suggestions were made to James Earl Smith and William Sidney Stroud, on March 7, tho consideration in each instance being £5. The shop was burnt on March 11.

The charges were quite proper and desirable ones for the police to have brought, continued Mr. Tate. Tho public should know that any person inciting another to commit an offence punishable ny imprisonment was liable to conviction.

”1 do not believe what Stroud and company said,” continued the magistrate, “and I am satisfied I have not Heard the true version or the whole story.” He suggested Reilly was not as intelligent as the other men and in mturo ho should be more careful of his associations. It seemed that it was more easy for a person of Reilly’s calibre to collect from an insurance company man he would have thought. Reilly, However, was entitled to the benefit of the doubt and the information would be dismissed.

Mr. A. A. Bennett appeared for Reilly and Senior-Sergeant McCrorie for the police.