Incendiarism.

New Zealand Police Gazette, Volume X, Issue 4, 17 February 1886, Page 1

Incendiarism.

During the night of the 19th ultimo the bridge known as the Black Bridge, on the main road between Waitangi Palls and Waimate, the property of the Bay of Islands County Council, value £BOO, was destroyed by fire. At an inquest held on the 2nd instant, at Waimate, before J. S. Clendon, Esq., Resident Magistrate and Coroner, to inquire as to the origin of the fire, a verdict was returned to the effect that the bridge was wilfully and maliciously set on fire by some person or persons unknown.

About 9 o’clock on the morning of the Ist instant a stable at Edendale, Southland District, the property of J. J. Weavers, was maliciously set on fire, but the fire was discovered and extinguished before any damage was done. It was insured for £6O, which amount is considerably more than its value.

About 9.30 p.m. on the 7th instant a sod hut at Moffitt’s Gully, Waikaia, containing clothing, bedding, cooking utensils, &c., the property of Ah You, value £2O, was, with contents, maliciously destroyed by fire.

About 3 o’clock on the morning of the 30th ultimo the building known as the Sylvan Bank Hotel, East Invercargill, the property of Thomas Surman, and occupied by J. J. Weavers, was maliciously set on fire, by which it and contents were destroyed. The building was insured in the Colonial Office for £250. The furniture, which belonged to Weavers, was insured in the Phoenix Office for £4OO. Weavers, who had a lease of the house, was refused a renewal of his publican’s license in June last.

One Hundred Pounds Reward. —Whereas on the morning of the 7th January last the Public School, Plokitika, was destroyed by fire: And whereas at the inquest held on the 20th of the same month as to the origin thereof a verdict of arson against some person or persons unknown was returned: Notice is hereby given that a reward of £IOO will be paid by the Government for such information as will lead to the arrest and conviction of the offender or offenders.—P. A. Buckley, for the Defence Minister. —Wellington, 16th February, 1886.