Incendiarism.

New Zealand Police Gazette, Volume X, Issue 12, 9 June 1886, Page 105

Incendiarism.

On the morning of the 17tli ultimo the Makarewa Junction Hotel, near Invercargill, the property of Robert S. Patton, was destroyed by fire, which it is supposed was maliciously caused. The fire originated in an unoccupied bedroom upstairs. The building was insured for £BOO in the New Zealand Office, and the stock and furniture for £2OO in the Victoria Office.

On the morning of the 19th ultimo, at Bowen Town, Katikati, Thames District, a barn and contents, the property of Charles Harley, value about £2OO, were destroyed by fire, which it is supposed was maliciously caused. The contents consisted of about 14 or 15 tons of oaten straw, 7 tous of potatoes, 2 tons of carrots, and 2 tons of pumpkins. The property was not insured.

On the morning of the 13th ultimo, at Waerengahika, Poverty Bay District, a stable, the property of William Adair, was destroyed by fire. The racing stallion “ Leonata,” the property of Thomas Bray, which was in the stable, was burned to death. The stable was insured for £IOO in the New Zealand Office, and the horse for £2OO in the South British Office. The insurance in both cases was excessive. At an inquest held on the 21st ultimo, at the Sir George Grey Hotel, Waerengahika, to inquire as to the cause of the origin of the fire, the following verdict was returned: “ That the stable was wilfully and maliciously set on fire by some person or persons unknown, with intent to defraud the New Zealand and South British Insurance Companies.”

About 7.30 p.m. on the 28th ultimo, at Menzies Perry, near Wyndham, a stack of oats containing about a ton, the property of Charles Cunningham, was maliciously destroyed by fire.