Charge of Arson.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4686, 7 May 1883, Page 3

Charge of Arson.

KING'S OASE. At the Magistrate's Oourt fo-day, before B. Beetham, Esq., 8.M., It. Weatenra, and F. J. Kimbell, Esq*., Frederick King and his wifo Anno Qoorgin* King were accused that on April 23 last they did maliciously and feloniously set fire to a certain dwellinghouse in their occupation, at tho corner of High asd Manoheßter streots, with in! ont to defraud the Scottish Imperial Insurance Company. Inspeotor Pender, oonduoted the prosecution, and Mr Stringer appeared for the Recused. Mr J. Bickerton Fisher appeared for the Scottish Imperial Insurance Company. F. H. Barnes, agent for the ticottish Imperial Insurance Oompany stated that the prisoners insured thoir property (furniture and effeots) for £100 in January, 1882. Prisoners were then koeping a boarding-house in Macohoster street. King came to mo on April 24, the morning after tho fire. Ho said ho had been burnt out, and afterwards put iua claim for the insuranoe msney with proof of loes (produced). It was not tho house that prisoners had oconpied when tho insurance wob effeoted that waa burnt down. Prisoners had removed the furniture to the house burnt with my permission endorsed on the policy of insurance. ' Never got notice of the salo or disposal of any of the furniture. Croßß -examined: Examined the goods when I first took the rink. I thought there was (sufficiently over £100 worth to justify my taking the risk. The furniture consisted of the ordinary goods in a boarding-house. Took no notice of personal effects. Constable George Neale deposed : On the night of April 23 I was on duty in High street. Heard an alarm when I waa by Strange's, about 50 yards from King's houßo. Ban across towards King's. Before coming to the door heard a cry of fire from upstairs in the house. Put my foot to the front door to burat it open. Mr King then oponed tho door. I saw a fire in the rear of [ the building. At the Bame time I noticed prisoner had his trousers and boots on. Followed Mr King towards the direction of the fire. I noticed each side of the staircase on I fire, the flames ascending from the floor. At I the same time I notioed threo distinct fires ' underneath the stairs. There was no firo in the centre of the Btairs. There was a distinct interval between the two fires ab the foot of the stairs, and charred rags were visible. There was another fire nearor the kitchen. I smelt burning fat. The Btairs were not connected with the kitohen, Bnd the space between was clear of fire altogether. There ware three boxes standing near the foot of the etaire, and I Baid to Mr King, " Go on, move thcEC boxes out." The boxes were one on top of the other. I then went outside and called to the men up-Btairs that they had better get out through the window, aB communication by the steirs wus cut off. Several men with their shirts on jumped from the upstairs windows. The fire continued burnisg, ond the house was destroyed. Before the house v/as burnt down I broko a window in a downetuirs room, and Mrs King came through it. Bhe was dressed, with her hat and jecket on, and a dog under her arm. Saw Mr King on Wedr>e»day, April 25. I aeked him whether he had ever cold any furniture since he had occupied the building that had been burnt down. He said — No, he had not sold any. I aeked him if a trap had beon at his place about 9 p.m. on Sunday night previous to the fire. He replied — Ho, but thero waa a trap thero early in the evening. I asked him if he knew a man named Stephen. Ho eaid — Yes. I said was he there on Saturday last or any other night at hia place. He said, " no, not on Baturday night." On Monday, April 30, 1 again saw the male prisoner. He then said that he had bought some potatoes from a man in the market, and he used to buy his potatoes from P. Stephens. I arrested prisoner on May 2, and charged him with arson. Mra King was about to make a statement, when I cautioned her, and she said nothing. [Left sitting.]