TIMBER FIRED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19443, 31 October 1925, Page 8

TIMBER FIRED

A KAKARAMEA INCIDENT. ACCUSED PLEADS GUILTY. At the Magistrate’s Court yesterdu, morning, Thomas Christian Jensen was cnargcu that at Kakaramea on Augus--13, no destroyed a quantity of timber, valued at £24, tho property uf Phyllis Josephine Wills, by wiliully selling fire to it. a nu first witness, Phyllis J. Wills deposed that she had had a stack of timber, which she had purchased from Mr. Reardon, stacked on her farm at Kakaramea. The timber was intended to be used for building a house, and was partially destroyed. The (accused had leased tiio property previous to her purchasing it. Questioned by the accused, she said that when sho took over the property shfc was not aware of the fact that the accused was the owner of timber in a whare. She did not know that two heifers (also belonged to him. After evidence had been given as to accused telling witnesses ho had fired the timber, accused stated that Minogue was working with him for Chamberlain at the time of the fire. On the night of the fire Minogue helped him to fill a bottle of kerosene by holding tho lantern. Witness carried the bottle and left it at the gate near Mrs. Wills till they came back from Kakaramea. On their return they went oa to Wills’ property and took the kerosene. Minogue put this on the timber and witness applied the match. Witness, Minogue and Chamberlain agreed that if interviewed by the police they would say nothing. Accused pleaded guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.