THE CHRISTCHURCH CARPET FACTORY FIRE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3605, 20 April 1886, Page 3

THE CHRISTCHURCH CARPET FACTORY FIRE.

■ — ♦— It will be remembered that the Zealandia Carpet Factory, on the Ferry Hood, Christchurch, was destroyed by firo on tho 3rd instant, tho firo being supposed to be the act of an incendiary. Mr Mitchell, who. owned the factory, was arrested and brought boforo tho Bench at Christchurch .on Saturday last. A witness named. Geprgo Biehardson, carpenter, gavo evidenco to the effect that ho knew the accused for four years. On tho 14th March he met him, when h« (Mitchell) spoko about tho factory being heavily insured, and that if it were burned down lie would receive' the insurance money. Ho further remarked that such a thing was frequently done, and was only a matter of business, and that it wonld not do for him to be about the place when it was fired, but that he would give witness or anybody £40 to do it. The accused eaid it was a thing done every day, and was like giving one shilling for another. Subsequently Mitchell asked Richardson if. be had given consideration to his proposal, and tho latter said "yes." It would, remarked Mitchell, be a good plan to soak the placo with kerosene, so that there would be no mistake about it ; to make a clean sweep of it, and leave nothing to tell talcs. Richardson then proposed to take the kerosene to the factory, and Mitchell said, " (hat will do, and I. will give you the key of the factory " for tbo purpose of setting fire to it. Rjchardson afterwards fell back from the arrangement, and told Mitcholl he would have nothing to do with the burning of the place, which was destroyed by fire fifteen days afterwards. The prisoner was remanded for further evidence.