KEW KIOSK BORNED.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1719, 9 April 1913, Page 3

KEW KIOSK BORNED.

TWO WOMEN PURSUED AND CAUGHT. SCENE IN COURT. DIRECTORY FLUNG AT THE GIIAIKIIAN, The pretty, kiosk tea pavilion in ICew Gardens, a structure almost completely of ivoad, was. burned. down early oil February 20, and later two women, who were seen running towards tho adjoining Old Deer I'nrk, Richmond, ivero arrested. They were brought up and remanded nt lliclnnond Police Court, whero oira of tliem liung a 'book and 591110 papers at tlio chairman and missed him from a distanco of about sis icet! ■ It was sliortly after threo o'clock in the morning whoa the fire was discovered by a iireman and night stoker, named Baikliam. At the samo moment ho say/ two. women running away. ■ He blew his whistle, which • brought police and other attendants. Tho ponce darted atter tho women, tho others made efforts to extinguish tho'fire. Brigades arrived, but tho wooden kicsk burned like a petroleum barrel, and, indeed, as if it had been saturated with something inflammable. The tiled roof'fell in at a quarter to four, shooting up huge flames; which illumined tho gardens fantastically, and eventually tno ilames subsided, when there was litllo leit ior them: to teed on. Fortunately tho building stands isolated; 'otherwiso irreparable Uamage might havu been done. As it is, all that remains of a picturesque building aro charred uprights. Wads of ootton and bunches of tow soaked in paraffin found near tho kiosk, proving that incendiaries had been active. On cliairs and tables outside tho kiosk was further evidence of the presence of women in tho shape of cards, signed "Two Voteless Women." Uno card bore tho message: "l'eaco 011 earth and goodwill to men when women get tho vote." ' The two police who gave chase to the women had 110 difficulty in capturing them, and later tlicy were charged at Richmond l'olico Court. They gav« the names of Lilian Lenton, aged 22, and Joyce Lock, aged 23, but refused their addresses. Inspector Jackson said he only proposed to give sufficient evidence to justify a remand, and at the remand hearing the case would probably be conducted on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Police Constable Hill gavo evidence of the captaire. As the women ran they threw away two brown kather suit cases, lie caught Lenton and asked: "What aro you doing here?" She replied, "I have come to seo tho fire," and laughed. Ho told her he would take her to tho station, and she replied, "Ail right; don't touch me." lie saw Lock placo aa electric torch (produced) behind a post. On tho way to tlie station Lenton added, "I'wonder what the men in the gardens we.ro doing that they di(l not see it done." At tho station she asked, "When shall we bo allowed to make ourselves presentable?" One of the bags contained. a small saw, a hammer, a bundle of tow, which smelt of tar and paraffin' oil, and three jiieces of paper smothered with tar, and the othei bag smelt strongly of pitch Lock: We are charged with' political offence. It is Government property. Sir J. Szlumper (the chairman): No, no. It is a highly criminal offence. Cross-examining Inspector . Jackson, Lock endeavoured to show that her remark, "Yes, that's right," did not necessarily mean an admission of guilt. The Chairman stated that tho prisoners would l>e remanded. Both mado applications for bail. " 'Inspector Jackson pointed out that both had refused to give their addresses. Lock': Wo sliall begin a hunger striko it wo .are refused bail. Tho chairman: We aro not going to be frightened by'.any intimidation. It was at this point that the book and papers were thrown. 1 Before the chairman, could finish his remarks, Lock, who 'tfifs standing in-.'tli'o '"<kfcndaut's box, by the clerk's desk,'seized some papers anil a local directory, , which-were lying on- tho desk, and flung, them at the chairman's -head.' The distance was little more than six feet, but none of them hit their mark; .'they/passed'between tho chairman and two■ magistrates. Lenton remained - quiet during the scene. A police officer standing near seized both of them and hurried them out of the court. Some inkpots were standing near tho book -which Lock seized. Tho'faro -women were brought back almost immediately, and were then informed by the chairman that the Bench had unanimously refused to -grant bail. A gentleman in court called out that he was perfectly willing to provide bail for one of the prisoners, but the Bench declined tho offer, and tho women wero removed.