Attempted Incendiarism at Carterton.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1807, 15 March 1886, Page 2

Attempted Incendiarism at Carterton.

TUB CORONER’S INQUEST. The inquest upon the recent attempt to burn down the store occupied by Mr P. S. Macdonald, Carterton, early on the morning of 28th February, was held before Dr Spratt, coroner, and a jury of six, of whom Mr A. Campbell was chosen foreman, on Friday last at the Carterton Courthouse. The following evidence was adduced. Mr Beard watched the case on behalf of Mr Macdonald, and Mr Harhroe watched on behalf of the Colonial Insurance Company.

Walter Cadwallader sworn—On Saturday, the 27th, or rather on the morning of Sunday 28th February, being after midnight, as I esme up Belvidere road saw, a fire beside Mr Mncdonald’s store when I was near Beckett's, which was about 1) chains off. I was coming from the direction of the White Hart Hotel. On seeing the reflection I imagined it was a tire ; rode round the corner to Macdonald's gate or door and looked over; saw a fire in the right of way facing the main street. Saw a kerosene tiu with tar burning ; the tar had boiled over and set fire to the straw underneath the house. Mr Hannah, who was with me walking, jumped on to my horse behind me and got over the door. I tried to open the door, but could not. I went to Lindop's, who lives two houses away ; called out to him and then went back and opened the door. Qot in and commenced pouring water over the fire with a bucket. Hannah and Beckett were there when I came back, and then the Fire Brigade came. Showed the kerosene tin to Mr Birrell, who took charge of it. The fire was nearly out when the Brigade came. Beckett drew the water and Hannah and I poured it on. Thu Brigade wont to work for twenty minutes and tin. tiro was subdued. The kerosene tin was ten u twelve inches nnder the house. The fire was getting a firm hold upon the building and would probably have been destroyed if I had not discovered it in time. Saw Mr Macdonald after calling Lindop ; he was partly dressed. To Foreman- In forcing the door open there were no obstacles against it. There were some cases against the building, Ssw a light in Mr Liudop’s, but none in Mr Macdonald’s.

To Mr Beard—There was nothing to prevent me from opening tbe door. Do not know whether we found it locked. There was tar and grease in the tin, and the tin was just behind a pile. There was some refuse straw lying about, which was alight. Mr Macdonald came in a great flurry when we were putting tbe fire out and assisted. Should not think it a likely place for a person to set fire to a house. Must have bteu placed there by somebody, but cannot say by whom.

To the Coroner—The fire was between Mr j Wood s auction room and store. Cannot say

how full the tin was, bat it was boiling over. Robert Hannah deposed—Was walking along Belvidere road, and after passing Beckett’s with previous witness, saw a fire. There was a good flare and I thongbt some place was on fire. Qot over gate and Beckett then came round. Woke Mr Macdonald. Saw kerosene tin with tar in it alight and believed it had been placed there ; saw some loose straw, some of which was burni<g ; the contents of tin were boiling over ; the floor boards were jnst igniting. Helped to put the fire ont. The building would have been consumed if promnt measures had not been taken to stay the fire. To Mr Beard—The straw was lying abont in all directions in the yard. There did not appear to be any impediment in opening tbe door, except the latch. Saw no light in Mr McDonald’s. The other gate on Belvidere road was easily opened. The packing esses did not appear to be placed in any position designedly. Mr McDonald was a litt'e excited when he came and commenced to throw water on.

W. J. Lindop sworn—To Detective Chrystal —Am a chemist. On the night of 27th Mr Mcdona'd came to my house abont 10 o’clock. It was an unusual occurrence for him to come to my house at night. We went shortly after to the Marquis of Normanby hotel upon tbe suggestion of Mr Macdonald, to have a drink.

Mr Beard objected to such evidence, not in the iuteiest of Mr Macdonald, but of the hoteiksepere. It was a disgraceful proceeding on the part of the police in view of getting up another ease.

Detective Chrystal disclaimed any such intention, as bis department did not interfere in such matters. It was not part of bis work to prosecute publicans. The Coroner double! if Mr Beard had any locus standi at this inquiry, but be would allow every latitude in asking questions. Mr Harbroe expressed a hope that the Coroner would allow the enquiry to go on in detail in order to know what individuals were doing at tbe time.

W. J. Lindop’s examination continued ; Mr Macdonald paid Mrs Bnckeridge tot the drinks. We left the hotel about a quarter to eleven. I went back to close my shop and remained talking with Macdonald. Mr H. Tanored then came in, I went back to the hotel again, but I don’t know at whose suggestion. I went with Messrs Macdonald and Tancred, and they paid for drinks, bid not leave for a few minutes ; then went over to Allen's to see Mr Tanored away, Mr Macdonald and I had a chat, and I bid him good night at my door, Mrs Lindop looking the door. This was about 12 o’clock. Mrs Lindop and I went into the sitting room lor a minute ; she then went down the yard to see if things were all tight at the back ; took candle into the shop and looked at two clocks, one was 12 and the other 5 minutes past; went to desk and had hardly got money and books in my hand, when an alarm o 1 fire was raised at Macdonald’s corner. There waa a knock at my shutters, and a person shouted fire at the corner. Ban out and made for the fire bell also knocked up Mr Catt. The rope was not; in its place, so could not ring the bell; went back to shop for matches, and uot teeing anybody about, thought it was only a game, but went to Macdonald’s to satisfy myself. Saw the fire and ran back to the bell again. Wm. Catt ran to the Fire Brigade station with me, and we found the bell rope fastened to the engine shaft. Before Mr Macdonald left me for the night he asked me to go to the White Hart for a drink, but 1 declined. It waa not mure than 10 minutes from the time Macdonald left me to the time the alaim was given. The fire could not have been burning more than five minutes. Mr Macdonald would have time to set fire to the straw, and get into his bedroom, and that is all he could do iu the time intervening. From what I have seen it must have been after he left me that the place wsa set on fire. I went into the store to examine, and found a little hole in the floor; a cask of soda stood alongside, also boxes of tea and mats of sugar. Mr Macdonald and 1 have had many friendly chats together. There had been a racing meeting that night at the hotel, I did not see any suspicious characters about. Should think a person would hare lighted a fire inside if he wanted to burn the place down, though the place outside was a good one for the purpose. That Mr Macdonald should call npon me at that hour of the night impressed me as rather singular.

Examination resumed after lunch : I will not swear that 1 did not ask Mr Macdonald who was to pay for the hand grenades. I made the remark to some person. I did not say that 1 saw two men throwing shavings on the fire, either in the presence of Mr Armstrong or Mr Dellar. 1 was excited from the quantity I had drunk, bat I do not remember, slthoagh I knew what I was about; three men seemed to be under the house. 1 do not know who the men were, who were nnder the house, but I ran to ring the bell. Mrs Liodop sworn; On Saturday, 27th February, remember standing at my door that night. Mr Macdonald and Mr Lindop came over to me. They were talking two or three minutes; Mr Macdonald then weotLome. Mr Lindop and myself then went into our sitting room, and Mr Lindop went to get the books out of the shop. I went into the kitchen with a lighted candle to see all was right, then went and closed the garden gate at the back, and saw all was correct. In returning, saw reflection of fire in Mr Macdonald's yard. I called oat twice what was matter, but do not suppose in the oonfu-, sion and noise of door knocking that any person heard me. There was a knock at our door; Mr Lindop bad just gone out of the shop. I saw Macdonald about five minutes after ; he was partly dressed. To Coroner . About a quarter of an hour elapsed from the time Mr Macdonald left us at our door until I saw the reflection of fire. Did not see any person at the back of Mr Macdonald’s premises. We can see into Mr Maodonaid's yard from ours. There is a door leading into a small paddock. Saw no lights in Mr Macdonald's house ; the auction rooms and store are unoccupied at nights. Sometimes the gates between the sections are shat, sometimes open. I did sot take particular notice that night of the side gate.

C. G. Beckett's evidence corroborated what had been said by the discoverers of the file.

Peter Samuel Macdonald sworn—Am occupier of the store and proprietor of the stock ; 1 hold a lease having another year to run of building, with the option of renewal for another live years. With my storeman 1 closed the store on the 27th Feb, locking it on the inside as the storeman left. Went through the store nod came out by the kitchen, tilting my wife I was going out awhile. Went into Liudop's shop, and alter conversing a few moments I asked him to come and have a liquor We went to the Marquis, and alter a few seconds came out again. Mr Liudop said he would go and put his shutters up. Then 1 suggested, as Constable Darby was watching, to go down to the White Hart; went to Lindop’s ; then Mr H Tauored came in. Mr Tancred suggested that we should go out and get a liquor. We then went into the Marquis ; sat for eome time and then came out. We had two dunks. I decline to say what they were. Then we all thiee went over to Mr Allen's gate at the side entrance. We bade Mr Tancred good night, and Mr Lindop apd I went across the street to his bh.ip. where after a few seconds I bade him good night I then went home direct to my front door, went straight through the passage and through to the kitchen that leads into the store ; tried the stole door; found it locked ; also tried the back door, which was lolled ; I then pioceeded upstairs to my bedroom and went to bed. I bad a raad in bed—my habit. I was reading the Post inpplemeut about two minutes, when a knock came to my front door. I got out of bed, put on my trousers only, and came down stairs; opentd the front door and could see no one ; I then ran round the corner into High street and saw a light coming from the right-of-way; I went at ones to the place ; the fire appeared to be under the house, on the side next Mr Wood's auction room. Mr Wood's auction room is about six feet from my house. I asked those present why they bad not rung the fire bell. I then went to the brigade elation when the bell started to ring. Some person brought out the hoae real aud I returned to the scene ot the fire ; some one seked me

for buckets ; I went upstairs to get the key of tbe store ; going into the door I met my wife; asked her lor key; she got it— opened tbe back door and threw out all the bucket* 1 had. The house buckets had already been used, we have no pump, but dip with buckets. I then went outside and gave tbe Brigade some assistance ; also took them a esndle underneath ao that tbey could eee where to direct the water ; I then went over to Mrs Seed's, where my family took refuge after the fire was ont; I refused to allow the Brigade to put the hose inside, as thst would spoil my goods. Before I went to Mr Seed’s Mr Lindop asked me who was to pay (or tbe hand grenade*. To (Detective Chrystal : Mr Darby never asked me if I bad a fire in my shop at Hastings. On the night of the election of 1884 there was a hole accidentally burned in my tailor's shop. It was supposed to be caused by a spark from a previous stove fir*. I psy Ll5O per year rent for tbe present store paid Mr Oallie L 730 for stock. Purchased between LI4OO and LISOO worth of geodi since then; have paid in cash abont outside of Oallie'* payments, amounting in all to over LIOOO since I have been in Carterten. I should say my present indebtedness is between LI3OO nnd LI400; my gross cash tod credit sales from October 30 to Mareb Ist amount to L 726 ; cash, L 277 odd ; credit, L 451 ; cash taken over tbe counter, L 277 ; 1 have taken L 250 from credit talas ; my profits sine* commencing business in Carterton are L 176 ; my tailor baa reoeivad L 36 19s for three month* piece work, at the rate of LlO4 per annum.

Mr Harbroe—Detective Chrystall’a object is to show that Mr Macdonald has bean doing a losing business. Mr Macdonald’a examination continued —I have bad two shopmen ; I gave one a mouth’s notice prior to tbe fir*. 1 did not intend to keep two shopmen; tb* united •alary of tbe two ehopmeo for fourteen weeks would amount to about L 75 ; my servant's wages, 10s per week, esme ont of my private profits ; my insurance will amount to abont 17s fid per week or about L 43 per year. Detective Chrystal said—Allowing tbe figures to be right Mr McDonald baa only Ll6 to live on. Mr Macdonald—You have no right to take four weeks as a criterion of twelve months business. Tb* Coroner, to Detective Chrystal—Ton have no right to make remark*, bat only to ask questions. Mr Macdonald ; I admit that it has been a paying basin sss, bat net with three bands.' It is a good paying business ; it will pay £6 a week to anyone with one assistant. Tbe Coroner said the jury only required to know if there were any manifest reasons (or setting fire to tbe premises. Mr Macdonald : I had over £IOOO eash when I came to Carterton ; I have £450 in bank, promissory notes and cash. 1 oonld not replace my furniture for £6OO. I oonld not replace my stock for £I7OO. I have paid over £SOO in cash for stock since I started. ( have gone back nothing since I earn* into the place ; I have had no pressure sine* I came here. With assistants, betides myself, my business would not pay ; when I found this I dispensed with one band. I asked tor the present enquiry and wished it; I collected all tbe data I possibly could I have conversed with no one since tbe fire on the subject, aa I did not wish it to be said I was in collusion with any person ; I bad never seen tbs tsg tin before the fire; 1 consider my loss it any, is very trifling. I certainly expected to do a larger drapery bnsineea when I first oame, bnt when 1 found my expectations wars not realised I curtailed my expenses. Tbe Coroner said if tbe figures pnt in were thought necessary by the jury for their guidance he would get them written down for their particular information, bnt be conld nut see that they had any special bearing npon tbe ease. Mr Macdonald said ;in(answer to Detective Chrystal, that be was not aware of having any enemy in the place, or anyone having n desire to do him an injnry.

Arthur Merser sworn—When I arrived the Brigade was on the scene of the fire. I thin the tin produced may be one that was there in Mr Qallie's time, but oould not awaar. I do not know what became of the tar tin that was used in Mr Oallie'e time. Mr fellow shopmen hod notice to leave three week*' before the fire. The buiiness has improved since Mr Macdonald took it.

Mr Alfred Armstrong's evidence went to ehow that Mr Lindop said, excitedly, alter the li e, that he saw three men under the house piling shavings on the Are -he wu quite certain Mr Lindop did not mean water instead of shaving* and that be knew what ha was talking about. Mr Beard said—The Jury’ could plainly see that no person could be identified with the Are whoee name had been mentioned. Mr Macdonald had shown that instead of burning down, his interest* were in favor of promoting his business and keeping the premises intact.

The Coroner carefully summed up the evidence, and the Jury's verdict was that some unknown pe-son did feloniously, wilfully and maliciously Ignite a quantity of tar and other combustibles under the house of Mr P. S. Macdonald. Carterton, with tha Intention of burning down the same house, and which did damage the said house, hut there is not sufficient evidence to show vt ho that person is