TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIX, Issue 8140, 16 May 1906, Page 6

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

SEQUEL TO A FIRE. By Telegraph—Press Association. AUCKLAND, May 14. i As a sequel to a tire in West Street, at Aucklaud, two men, named James Crowtber and William Walker, have been arrested and charged with wilfully setting fire to the premises. Walker is the husband of the owner of the house. AUCKLAND. May 15. In connection with the recent fire in West Street, James Crowtber, labourer, was charged at the Police Court to-day with committing arson, and William Walker, house-painter, was charged with proouriug Crowtber to uommit th« crime. •J he Crown evidence against Crowtber principally consisted of a sensational and elaborate confession by prisoner, who alleged that Walker told him of* an opportunity to earn "a few quid." He him around to Mrs Walker's house in West Street, suggesting he should sei; it on fire. Crowthei alleged that Walker, the other prisoner, showed him a lining board ripped off. remarking that "It will make a good draught." He also ' alleged that Walker said, "If the fire gets a rlean sweep 1 get £IOO for tbe furniture and £75 apiece for the two houses." Crowther. says Walker showed him the places where the house was worm-eaten, and assured him he could get safely away, and that the fire hose could not reach the building. While Mrs Walker was away Crowther said he visited tfie bouse, alleging that Walker and himself made preparations for tbe fire by opening up flax mattresses and nailing sacks over the ground floor windows, Walker remarking, "That will make a good* start," and promising Crowtber £lO as soon as the money was received from the insurance company. Crowther states be went one Sunday night to burn down Walker's house, but altered his mind and returned home. Walker subsequently oalled him "a frightened beggar," and offered double the monetary reward. Crowther states that on the night of April 17th he again visited Walker's bouse and plaoed a piece of buggy candle in the centre of the ground-floor, surrounding it with flax. A Are occurred, but the brigade extinguished the flames before the house was destroyed. Crowther also alleges that the day the coroner's enquiry opened Walker told him he had them (meaning the jurors) bamboozled, but if anything happened he and hia father would stick to Growther's family. A witness named Campbell, lodging with Crowtber, deposed that the latter told him of the arrangement with Walker. He sent an anonymous letter to the police. He heard Walker tell Crowther after the opening of the inquest that he had the authorities beaten. The case is proceeding. POISONOUS FUMES. DUNEDIN, May 15. The inquest was resumed to-day concerning the death of Archibald M'Kay, who, with a fellow-worker named Anderson, died from the effects of poisoning. M'Kay'a wife said be told her he had been mining at tbe cement works some acid in a cask and burning zino off wirenetting, . and had inhaled the fumes. Dr. Evans was of opinion that death was due to poison. circulating in the blood. The inquest was adjourned till to-morrow. ■ ■" : . STATE COAL. OHRISTOHURCH. May 15. Mr G. Lanrerison, jM.H.R, has received m intimation from the Minister of Mines, stating *;bat a site has been secured in Cbristohurob for a depot for the disposal of State coal, and tenders are being called for' the construction of necessary sheds. The Railway Department is constructing a siding into the yard. When these works are completed—which it is. expeoted will be by June 15th—full supplies of j coal will be, available for sale to the general public; _________ WORKMEN'S HOMES. ! WELLINGTON, May 15. The Government has accepted tenders for the erection of 25 workmen's homes at Petone. The prioes are said to be well within I the estimate. j . _______ ■ - ■'■'■! THE SHOOTING FATALITY AT WESTPORT. WESTPORT, May 15. Edwin and Cecil Herring, aged 15, and nine years, brothers of Lily, Herring, who was killed on Saturday, were found last night. They state that they were* in the garden when they heard a shot inside the house. Finding their sister dead they became frightened and ran into tbe bush. It now appears that tbe girl, who was engaged in household duties, accidentally knocked down tbe gun, which exploded, killing her. WELLINGTON SUPREME COURT. WELLINGTON, May 15. At the Supreme Court, this morning, Thomas Henry Goodger, who was found guilty of manslaughter, was sentenced to two and, a-half years' imprisonment. The Chief Justice said he did not think the prisoner intended to kill Prestidgej-'whon. he stabbed with a-pooket-knife in a street quarrel,, and he spoke strongly against the drinking habit. Francis Gordon Waddell, who was found guilty of assault on S. Gilmer, was sentenced to 18 months'imprisonment, ' RATING UNIMPROVED VALUES OHRISICHURCH, May 15. The City Council last night considered an amplication from the*

Valuation Department for information as to the woruing of the system of rating unimproved values. Councillor Allison proposed a motion Btrongly condemnatory of the system on the grounds that the incidence of rating in Ghristohurob, had been very unequal and inequitable, and that the Act had not attained its object of preventing i the holding of land for merely speculative purposes. The motion stated that the Counoil therefore thought f hat other means should be provided to attain the object referred to, and that tbe Act should be repealed. A spirited discussion took place, general opinion being that though tbe system was often inequitable in its working the Act might be improved, and that its repeal was an extreme proposal. Councillor Hurst Seagar moved as an amendment that before any opinion could bo expressed as to the working of the system, exaut data should be plaoed before the Council. This' amendment was carried.