ARSON CHARGE

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

ARSON CHARGE

THREE MEN BEFORE COURT ONE PLEADS GUILTY By Telegraph—Press Association PALMERSTON N., December 5. Charged with having committed arson on or about October 28 last, by wilfully setting fire to a dwelling- i house at 128 College Street, Edward Bloomfield McGill, William lan Hankins (taxi driver) and John Armand Borlase (taxi driver) appeared before Justices of the Peace. James Willoughby Rutherford, barrister, gave evidence that he administered the Crabbe estate, which owned the premises. In October the premises J were occupied by H. H. Hutchison and his wife, who vacated them a few days after the fire. The building was insured for £llOO. The damage by the fire amounted to £l4. Mrs Hutchison gave evidence that on October 27 she and her husband went to Paraparaumu, her husband intending to return to Palmerston North that day and she to go on to Wellington. All the doors of the house were locked. No fires had been used in th the houset for several days. No methylated spirits were kept in the house and no holes were bored in the walls, nor was there an auger on the premises. The furniture and contents of the house were insured in witness’s name. She knew the accused McGill, who was her brother-in-law, and had a knowledge of the house. She last saw McGill on the morning of October 27, when he accompanied witness and her husband as far as Manakau. Detective Power gave evidence that about 8 p.m. on October 27 he went to 128 College Street, with Detective Barling and two constables. The house was in darkness. All the doors and windows were locked except one at the side. There was no sign of fire. They took up a suitable position in the grounds and waited among the shrubs. About midnight a man entered the grounds, followed three minutes later by two others, who joined him. One was carrying a sugar sack and another a parcel. After 20 minutes’ silence a light appeared in the house and two men disappeared out of the back and another came to the front door. Witness entered the house through a sliding door which was unfastened and found a fire burning strongly in the hall. The brigade was called and suppressed the flames. Witness found that four holes had been bored in different parts of the hall and methylated spirits had been poured into them, and set alight. Witness produced a sugar bag which was found on the floor of the hall, together with empty bottles smelling of methylated spirits and a corkscrew. Detective Power said Hankins and Borlase were located on October 29. The former made a statement in which McGill asked to be driven to Cook Street and on the way explained that Hutchison’s house was “to go up,” meaning that there was to be a fire. After further evidence McGill pleaded guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. Hankins and Borlase pleaded not guilty and were committed for trial, the being being renewed.