AN EXTRAORDINARY FAMILY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1797, 23 March 1888, Page 2

AN EXTRAORDINARY FAMILY

[Phu Press Association.!

Ounbdin, Maroh 22. An enquiry was ht>ld at Lnwrence to- j day regarding a fire at Waltahuna by ] wbioh a house, the property of Thomas Soott, was destroyed. The evidence waß of a most rx'raordlnary character. Some goods hid been found planted In a hayBtaok, and among them a family bibls, m whioh was an album. Thomas Saott, the owner of the bible, oould not swear to it being his when produoad In Court His son went even further and would not swear to his. own photograph. Every artlo'o produoed ho said w.,s liko what thoy had, but he oould not say if it waa theirs. Ho would not swear to a volunteer o-vp being hfs The daughter was also troubled with forgetfulnoss, and it waß not till the Coroner threatened repeatedly to commit her to gaol that she could be Induced to remember. The constable described a large number of articles found m the haystack, lnolodlng a gun, a violin, boxes, etc , The constable on finding the plant handed the gun and violin to Scott to lay down safely while he was on the stack, but when he oame down thoy were gone. AH three of Scott 'a family swore they hid not seen these artiolds. The enquiry was going on whon tb© Telegraph Office olooed.