DELIBERATELY BURNED.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 16095, 19 September 1924, Page 4

DELIBERATELY BURNED.

ARSON AT MAUNGATAUTARI. CORONIAL INQUIRY. Mr H. A. Young, S-M-. District Coroner, held an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the outbreak of fires at MaungataUtari, near Cambridge, on .1 uly J and :i last, the second one completely destroying a four-roomed collage, the property of Mr A. li. Allen at Taanc, Maungalaulari. Evidence was giver, that •Alien purchased this properly in May 192 i, from Maori occupiers. The Maoris had been fold after Hie sale Ihat Allen wanted the house for his own shaiv.milkers, but he never notified Hie Maoris io pet out of the place. The first outbreak occurred on July 1. about 10.. - 50 p.m. The Maori occupants smclled kerosene burning, we'nl out lo the. back of the house, and found a sack saturated in kerosene wrapped round a house block, at the back 'of the kitchen wall. The fire was extinguishd. On the night of July ;S, the Maoris went lo bed at 12.H0 at nigh I, leaving everything right. About 15 to i a.m. they woke up and found Hie house full of smoke. That portion of Hi" house fired at the previous outbreak was well ablaze snd the collage was completely destroyed, as were also Hie occupants' belongings. Mr Allen bought the • properly for £OOO and hail Hie house and one outbuilding insured for £SOO. Ruapere T-jperc, who built the house, said he valued il prior to the fire at between £.'loo and £IOO. A. L. Allen said that prior lo insuring Hi" house an authority had told him the house was worth between i'Tiiu xnd £BOO. Ruapere Tupere. Hie principal Maori witness, proved Ilia! iie was away at Horahora camp at Hie limn of Hie outbreaks, while Allen also proved Ihat en the night when the house was destroyed lie spent the nlglll a! Ilis people's residi nee in Hukekura. The Coroner found [hal Hie house was deliberately and wilfully burned, hu Ihere was no direct evidence lo prove who was responsible.