Incendiarism.

New Zealand Police Gazette, Volume XII, Issue 13, 20 June 1888, Page 117

Incendiarism.

Between 7 and 8 p.m. on the 3rd instant a large threshingsheet, value £2, in the farmhouse of Thomas AVilson, Pukekolie, Auckland District, was set on fire, and was almost totally destroyed when discovered. The building contained a buggy and harness, about a ton of chaff, and farming implements. The building and contents were uninsured.

On the morning of the 7th instant, at Pukekohe, Auckland District, the dwelling of Thomas Wilson, was destroyed by fire, as was also a stack of oats, value £4O, which stood at some distance from the house. The house and stack were too far apart for either to have communicated fire to the other. The house contained six rooms, and was insured for £IOO, and the furniture for £SO, in the Standard Office. The oats were not insured. Some furniture and clothing were saved from the house.

On the night of the 21st ultimo, at Wangaloa, near Ivaitangata, an unoccupied four-roomed house, the property of James Hume, value £350, was destroyed by fire. At an inquest, held on the 9th instant, at Kaitangata, by J. S. Fleming, Esq., Coroner, a verdict was returned to the effect that the house was maliciously set on lire, but there was not sufficient evidence to say by whom. It was insured in the National Office for £250.

(See Police Gazette, 1888, pages 89 and 97.) Setting fire to six stacks of corn, at Tarras Station, Lake District, the property of Messrs. Dalgetty and Co: An inquest was held by J. S. Hickson, Esq., R.M. and Coroner, extending from the 30th ultimo until the 2nd instant, to inquire as to the cause of the origin of the fire, when the following verdict was returned: “ That some person or persons, to the jurors unknown, feloniously, wilfully, and maliciously did set fire to the said six stacks of corn, the property of the said Dalgetty and Co., on the morning of the 22nd April last, past, at Tarras freehold, with intent then and there to injure.” The jurors added the following rider: “That grave suspicion lays to James McKenzie, farmer, at Tarras, also to John Beaton McKenzie, his hired servant, and that every care and precaution have been displayed by Mr. John Stronach, manager of Tarras Station, against fire.”