RANGITIKEI NOTES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 15000, 14 July 1900, Page 2

RANGITIKEI NOTES.

■* a iFroin Our Own Correspondent.) MARTON, Friday. Owing to the death of Captain Sutcliffe, tho Volunteer social has been postponed. The local Druids and Foresters are having a combined re-union early in August. ALLEGED ARSON. The hearing of the charge of alleged arson against the young man Tuffnell was resumed this morning. Oscar Albert Mullins, cordial manufacturer, of Marton, remembered sth inst. ; wai in Cummins' shop that day ; spoke to accused there, about mid-day ; said, "Hulloa, Charlie, not in gaol yet?" Accused laughed and said "No." Asked "When is the next fire to be ; don't set fire down there where I am sleeping." Accused said "All right." Saw Tuffnell same evening at 7 o'clock at Temperley's corner; witness was in company with two others. Accused asked witness had he seen "Ward?" Replied "No." Watson, who was standing there, said "No; we have seen Bishop." Went with Detective Bishop on the 9th to Morris' paddock at 4 o'clock on Mondaj afternoon ; went there to measure and compare boots with footprints ; person making footprints had been running, as was seen by distance of strides ; they were from 4ft to 4ft 6in ; boots (produced) are the boots compared with footprints ; with a rule measured distances of nail marks on the footprints and compared them with nail marks on the boots. By Mr Lyon — Accused had told witness some time ago ho was suspected by the detectives ; he said a song had been picked up that he had written ; said detectives had compared writing in tlhe song with F.B. books, and they corresponded ; at some places he judged the strides in paddock wen aft ; except the two, the strides are irregular ; would not swear to the distances on the outside line of the left foot ; judged footprints corresponded generally; the police would not allow witness to plact boot on the impression ; Detective Bishop said when called him out Mr Cummins ano Mr McFarlane were at far end of work ship ; neither were in hearing ; accused could have gone to the house by the back while witness was going to Follett Street ; left Ward there to see that he did not ; accused always went in by the front door ; the footprints that were particularly cleai at the small creek were carefuly preserved with stones and boards surrounding them ; had daily visited the spot since the discovery, and they were intact up to Wednesday last ; on revisiting them that morning found they had been effaced. By Mr Lyon — Accused was not excited or agitated when arrested ; saw Armstrong conversing with several young men at 10.15 on sth ;. had sought information from Armstrong on account of something Captain Gronn had said ; consider accused went out the back of the section ; did not go into Tuffnell's yard ; went down Follett Street, past Tinline's and Hilton's residence to thf small bridge there ; searched the section: at the back of accused's premises for 15 minutes; it was witness' duty to detect rather than prevent crime. Mr Greenfield — I think it is your duty to prevent as well as detect crime. Continuing, Detective Bishop said-it was tho duty of the police to prevent crime, but not that of a detective. Saw no bottle in his pocket or hand when he came to hh house at 9.45j was quite certain footprint found were fresh ones. Fui ther evidence was given by John McDonald (recalled), A. Crozier, Gluts. Grantham, and J. W. Thompson, after which, the accused having intimated his intention of reserving his defence, was committed for trial at next sitting of the Supreme Court, to bo held in Wanganui. Bail was allowed, accused in £75 and two sureties of £75. A FURTHER CHARGE. The same accused was charged with setting fire to a stable in Stewart Street on 21st June. After hearing the evidence, His Worship expressed the opinion that no jury would convict on the evidence, and dismissed the information.