RANGITIKEI.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3157, 25 March 1871, Page 3

RANGITIKEI.

~ Marton, *March 21, 1871. INQUEST. An inquest was held to-day before A. Ross, Esq., Coroner, on the fire which took place at Mr W, E. Heywood's house on Sunday, the 12th instant. Mr Hey wood, in his evidence, stated that when he left his house to go to church at Marton, he was most careful to smother the little lire which remained in the kitchen. He felt quite sure the fire did not originate there. There was a sum of money in the house, principally in notes, some articles of jewellery and two watches, one gold and the other silver, were also on his dressing table. The gold watch and chain had been picked up by a boy named Charles Nicol, in a ditch close to the scene of the fire, and had been handed to him. He had searched among the debris to try to find some remains of the silver one,but had been unable to do so. There had been no fires lighted in the front room on that day, nor for some time previous. Mr H. Henderson, in his evidence, said the fire broke out in the front part of the house. It could not possibly have broken out in the kitchen, as the back of the house was not burning when he arrived on the spot, but the flames were bursting through the front windows. He noticed at the time that Mr Heywood's gates were open, and remarked it as being unusual. When the fire had burned down, he and another man discovered two of the locks and on examining them found the bolts had been driven back. He was of opinion that the house had been forcibly entered. Mrs A. Rainger deposed to seeing a very suspicious looking character about the premises of Mr A. Ingram (at whose house she was staying) just before the fire broke out. He was without his coat, and had his shirt sleeves tucked up. He appeared to have come from the direction of the Tutaenui stream, which divides M r Ingram's and Mr Hoywood's premises. She was rather alarmed at his appearance at that time of the evening, and felt sure he was there for no good purpose. He appeared perfectly sober, and asked her several questions, amongst others, whose house that one was, j-oint-ing to Mr Heywood's. Upon being informed he said, '• Ob, T know Mr Heywood, and J shall know him better yet." Although he inquired the way out, he seemed to know it perfectly well, and the witness believed he was no stranger. Being dark, she could not distinguish his features, but believed she could tell him by his voice. He spoke in a low, soft tone, and, by his accent, she should say he was an Irishman. The last witness, a boy named Charles Nicol, deposed to finding the gold watch and chain in a ditch at the back of the premises, when going to milk the cows next morning. This watch he handed to Mr Heywood, who recognised it as his own. The finding of the jury wis as follows : — " From the evidence adduced we are of opinion that Mr W. E. Heysvood's house was first robbed by some person or persons unknown, and then set on fire, but whether accidentally or otherwise there is no evidence to prove." They added a rider, to the following effect : — " The jury are also of opinion that if a resident policeman had been stationed in Marton at the time the fire took place, some other in formation might have been acquired. They respectfully request the Government to offer a reward for the discovery of the perpetrator." The coroner said he fully concurred in the verdict, and especially with the rider attached to it. He himself thought that if there had been some judicial authority on the spot to take the matter in hand at once, and in proper form, some important evidence might have been obtained. VOLUNTEER UNIFORMS. A meeting of the Marton Volunteers took place in the Town Hall last night, to discuss certain questions in connection with the new uniform. Some pieces of tweed of the Government pattern were submitted to the members of the corps, but it was not at all admired, and it was unanimously decided that a petition should be sent to Government requesting permission for the volunteers of this district to retain their present uniform (dark blue cloth). A very pleasing feature of the meeting was a voluntary subscription, got up on the spot, to present some token to Lieut. Heywood of their sympathy with him in his great loss. The sum of nineteen guineas wus at once collected for that purpose. It is expected this will be supplemented by other subscriptions from residents in the district, <fee. There is a fine chance now for your correspondent " Consistency" to carry out his principles. Mr Heywood is compelled to live at a public house, his own having been destined by fire. Will not " Consistency" send a liberal subscription towards the erection of a new one, so as to present Mr Heywood from committing so heinous a sin. Although I have been rather abused by " Consistency," I shall be happy to show a spirit of Christian forgiveness, and receive the large amount which I have no doubt he will send on reading this. Should he do so, I shall almost become a convert to his teetotal principles ! Should he not do so, I shall take the liberty of thinking they are like his charity — the reverse of liberal. LAND SALE. Mr Finnimore held an auction sale last week of land belonging to Mi Richmond Morris, who has been cutting it up into town allotments. The biddinp was spirited, and the auctioneer disposed of twenty-seven sections, many of whicl; were taken up by buyers from a distance One would judge by this that Bom< people have faith in the future pros perity of our little town.