FITZROY SENSATION.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 794, 18 April 1910, Page 7

FITZROY SENSATION.

FURTHER EVIDENCE.

By TolcsraDh-l'resa ABSooiatlon-OoDrrltht.

Melbourne, April , 16.

At the inquest concerning the death of Crabtree, who died from injuries sustained iii.an explosion : that,'i'.on March 19, resulted in the destruction.of four shops .in Brunswick Street, Fitzroy (a Melbourne suburb), Mrs. Crabtree deposed that she. had no knowledge 'that ; her husband contemplated any felony. -V

She aslied him at the hospital to. tell her the troth, but was doubtful if he did so. In his'dying statement, he. declared that Shaw (who, after the explosion, made a confession to the police) bought stuif and' set it afire.' Shaw was practically a partner with her husband. She added that her. husband bought a dumzny s'took some time ago, consisting of empty jam tins and bars ! of ■ wooden "soap," and placed them.iu the,shop that was the scene-of the explosion.

Another witness deposed to selling Crabtree foui gallons taoh of inetHylated spirits and benzine five days before the fire.

' • CORONER'S FINDING.

(Rec.-April 18, .0.50 a.m.)' Melbourne, April 17. ' The coroner found that Crabtree died of'burns.received when he was attempting to commit a felonious act.

[Sbaw.mado a confession to.the.police alleging; that Crabtrco bad effected an insurance on his stock, and removed about £400 worth. Shavings were carted to the place in large quantity, and ho and Crabtree saturated the so with methylated spirits and benzine. It was arranged that when the place was well alight, Shaw should jump from the verandah and give the alarm, but the.scheme miscarried, and when Crabtree struck a light a violent explosion followed. Shaw knew no more. Crabtree was confronted with Shaw's confession. While modifying a previous statement made by himself,. ho denied Shaw's story, and stated that he found the tap of the gas stove turned on. When he lit a matoh an explosion followed.J - . 1 '