Incendiarism.

New Zealand Police Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 15, 28 July 1880, Page 123

Incendiarism.

On the morning of the 10th instant, at Taratahi, a sevenroomed wooden house, furniture, &c., the property of James Driscoll, was destroyed by fire, which it is supposed was wilfully caused. The house was insured in the Colonial Office for £250, and the furniture, &e., in the New Zealand Office for £IOO.

Between 6 and 8 p.m. on the Bth instant a two-roomed wooden house, at Corsterphine, near Caversham, the property of William Ferric, was maliciously set on fire, by which it was destroyed. On the morning of the 11th instant his cow-shed at the same place was found on fire, but the fire was extinguished before much damage was done.

Between 5 and (1 p.m. on the evening of the 27th ultimo an unoccupied four-roomed wooden house, a dairy, and a carthouse, at Albert Eoad, New Plymouth, the property of Samuel

Alexander, were destroyed by fire. At an inquest held on the Ist instant to inquire as to the cause of the fire, the following verdict was returned: “That the houses were wilfully set on fire by some person or persons unknown.” The houses wero insured for £l5O.

About 11 p.m. on the 7th instant, the blacksmith- and wheel-wright-shops of Swann and Company, at Hamilton East, were discovered on fire, by which they were destroyed. At an inquest held on the 13th instant,*thc following verdict was returned : “ There is no evidence ro show how the fire originated, but we are of opinion that it was an act of incendiarism.” The property destroyed was valued at £SOO, and was insured in the South British Office for £2OO.

At 8.15 p.m. on the 15th instant, at the farm of the School of Agriculture, Lincoln, four stacks of hay, value £l5O, the property of the Government, were maliciously set on fire, by which they were destroyed. The hay was not insured.

About the 26th ultimo, an unsuccessful attempt was made to set fire to an unoccupied two-roomed wooden house at Taradale, the property of Richard Hollis. Kerosene oil was found spilt on the floor and walls of the house, and a fire made in one of the rooms, which appeared to have died out of its own accord. The house was insured in the Union Office for £BO, which is more than both house and land are worth. Richard Hollis, the owner, was arrested for the offence by Detective Martin Grace, Napier Police, but was discharged for want of sufficient evidence.