HASTINGS ARSON CASE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13673, 11 April 1908, Page 2

HASTINGS ARSON CASE.

I" I , WELLINGTON, 10 v , • r In the Appeal (Court the case of the Cuown versus Martin Johnson was ar- ' gued.. Johnson was tried before Judge . Cooper and 4 a jury at Napier on a ; charge of setting fire >to premises * at ' Hastipgs known as the "Silver Grid." Counsel for the, Crown, omitted > to prpve that the building ,was fixed to the soil, and, at the conclusion^ of the \ Crown's evidence counsel for prisoner' contended that without) this evidence '{ there was not sufficient ' evidence to g»X to the jury,, and that they should j he directed tos. acquit accused.- His' Honour held that "there was sufficient' evidence, and so, directed the juryj who 4 convicted the accused. - The Judge,,/ however, reserved for the opinion of I tho, . Court <rfi ■ Appeal nthe< jqu«stion • wh^heCjihi^- direction was: i right. /She Qomft rwith.out> oallingt'liponr^the Cwram t^ffepQ^ jdeli^prß^ .ojjftj, jadgmen*. *£- . f^ripin^^/co^vi^on,, , „, '.r. •-