Arson.

New Zealand Police Gazette, Volume XXI, Issue 1, 6 January 1897, Page 1

Arson.

Greytown North. —On the sth ultimo an unoccupied building, the property of William James Hirschberg and his sister, and known as Hirschberg’s old brewery, was set on fire, the flames, however, being discovered and extinguished before much damage was done. It was insured in the Royal Office for £2OO, but its value is not considered to be more than £SO. At an inquest held on the 23rd ultimo a verdict was returned that the building was wilfully set on fire by some person or persons unknown, a rider being added to the effect that greater caution should be exercised by insurance companies in taking risks on unoccupied buildings.

Lyell. —About midnight of the 9th ultimo the shop of Frederick Feddersen, butcher, was wilfully set on fire in two places, but the flames were extinguished before much damage was done. The shop was old, of little value, and not insured, and it is supposed to have been set fire to with the objeot of destroying the Government Buildings adjoining.