ALLEGED ARSON

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19765, 21 December 1935, Page 8

ALLEGED ARSON

CHARGE AGAINST BREWER. MANY WITNESSES CALLED. COMMITTAL FOR TRIAL. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) PALMERSTON N., Friday. The hearing is proceeding before Justices of the Peace of a charge against Douglas Henry Colin Baker, a brewer by occupation, that on or about May 8, 1933, he committed arson by wilfully setting fire to the Makotuku Hotel. Edwin Walter Barringer, electrician, of Hamilton, said six months before the fire accused had said the hotel was a bit of a load and that he “would like to get rid of it,” suggesting that witness should see McGill about firing the building. Witness asked accused why he did not see McGill himself, and accused replied that he did not want him hanging around the brewery. Payment of Money.

Witness said he consented and saw McGill. ‘I went back to Baker and told him McGill would fire the hotel for £ls, but that he must have cash,’’ said Barringer, He added that accused had replied he would fix up after he got the insurance money. Baker had later said that those fellows would have to hurry up and fire the hotel, because they would be selling him up. This was about 10 days before the fire, and witness kne waccused was pressed for money, Subsequently Baker gave witness a cheque for about £7, with instructions to give it to McGill and tell him he would give him the balance on receipt of the insurance money. McGill had cashed the cheque at. witness’ shop. McGill had arranged to lire the hotel on Sunday night. On the night of the fire they left Palmerston North about 11 o’clock by car. Recently, witness had pleaded guilty to his part in the offence. After the fire witness had seen Baker, and accused had said: “I see they have made a job at Makotuku.” Accused asked witness if McGill and the other man had done it, and witness had replied that it had been McGill. Some time after, accused handed witness a note for £1 or 10s, saying: “You know what that is for.” Witness signed a receipt for it on account of McGill. Accused pleaded not guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. NEW PLYMOUTH CASES. TWO MEN FOR TRIAL. • (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH, Friday. Pleas of not guilty to joint charges of arson arising out of flres at Inglewood were made by Darcy Henry Gyde, a butcher, aged 23, married, with two children, and Gordon Joseph Sattler, painter, aged 24, single, in the New Plymouth Police Court this morning. On the joint charges the accused were committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Sattler pleaded guilty to a further charge of arson arising out of a fire at Inglewood over a year ago, and was committed for sentence. No application for bail was made. The joint charges against Gyde and Sattler were of wilfully setting fire on September 27 to a two-sforey dwelling house in Matai Street, Inglewood, valued at £2OO, the property of Alfred Ernest Surrey, and of wilfully setting fire to a two-storeyed iron building in Standish Street, Inglewood, the property of the estate of the late Job Walker Winfield, valued at £SO, on December 11.