HOTEL BURNED DOWN

Timaru Herald, Volume CXL, Issue 20284, 6 December 1935, Page 16

HOTEL BURNED DOWN

ARSON COMMITTED STARTLING EVIDENCE By Telegraph— Press Association PALMERSTON N., December 5. In the Magistrate’s Court to-day the police proceeded against Edwin Walter Barringer, an electrician, charging him with burning down the Makotuku Hotel on May 8, 1933. Wilfred Douglas Woodham, a rental car proprietor-, Stated that on May 7, 1933, accused hired a car from him stating that he wanted to do a 100 miles trip. He returned the motor the following morning. William Martin Oemke, of Napier, said he was the licensee of the hotel at the time it was burned down. The place was owned by D. H. C. Baker, of Palmerston North. Witness’ lease of the hotel expired on April 26, 1933, but after that he had been retained by Baker as licensee. The hotel was due to be sold by auction on May 18, 1933. On May 7, 1933, the premises were locked up before he retired to bed. Witness, his wife and her sister were the only persons on the premises. At 1 a.m. he was awakened by his wife’s sister. He made an investigation of the dining room which was full of smoke and fire was raging fiercely at the far end of the room. His first duty was to assist the women out of the place, after which he was only able to save a sewing machine, a radio and other small articles worth about £SO in all. His loss was £175, there being no insurance on the goods. It was blowing a gale that night, and it had been quite easy for operations to be carried out in the dining room without anyone hearing. He knew the accused, who had been at the hotel 10 days before, along with Baker. Statement to Police. Detective E. Barling said he had interviewed the accused at Hamilton in November last. Barringer had admitted going to Makotuku on the night of May 7, 1933, with another man who had set fire to the hotel. Subsequently accused had signed a written explanation in which he stated that he first met E. B. McGill in 1931, and a little later he met Baker. About six months before the fire Baker had said he would like to see the hotel burned down and had asked him to see how much McGill would charge for the job. Barringer said he saw McGill about the matter and the latter’s reply was that he would not do it for less than £ls, Baker had asked him to arrange the matter with McGill. At this time Baker was very concerned about- the hotel and said something about being pushed for finance over the place. A few days later Baker handed him a cheque for £7 to give to McGill, the balance to be paid when Baker collected the insurance money. McGill had asked him to accompany him on the job and picked him up about 11.30 p.m. in Palmerston North. They set off for Makotuku in a hired car and when they got to the hotel there were no lights to be seen. McGill got out, taking with him a brace and bit and a sack of bottles. Barringer added that he then drove off for about 500 .yards where he waited 10 minutes. Later McGill came running along the road carrying a brace and bit and a sack of bottles. They then drove to the top of the hill where they stopped and had a “spot.” McGill seemed to need it as he was very agitated. There was no sign of fire up to that point, so he asked McGill if he had set the place alight. He replied “you’ll see in a minute.” Suddenly flames came through the roof and McGill said “she’s off.” Barringer said he then heard someone call out “fire” and said to McGill “there’s someone in the hotel apparently.” McGill then took the wheel and they drove madly back to Palmerston North. , Barringer added that he did not get anything out of the escapade. McGill had explained that his method of firing the place was to bore a series of holes in the walls pour in methylated spiirt and special “dope” and then drop a match in the holes. He said f t made a wonderful job of a fire. Accused pleaded guilty to the charge and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence, bail being allowed in the meantime.