MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2402, 6 March 1915, Page 4

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

ALLEGED INCENDIARISM !

BURNING OP THE WHITE HORSE HOTEL

The hearing of evidence in connection with the charge of incendiarism against Charles Edmunds, Walter Balch, and Arthur George was commenced in the Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr.' W. G.- Riddell, S.M. The three aooused are charged that on July 19,1914, they wilfully set fire to the White Horse Hotel at Ngahauranga. ' Mr. H. F. O'Leary appeared for Balch and Young. " , Detective-Sergeant Rawle'said that on February 24 he interviewed the accused Edmunds in respect to the burning of the White /Horse Hotel. In reply accused wrote out and signed a statement which witness now produced. The statement read as follows: — " "I. Charles Edmunds, wish to state that I know Arthur Young and -Walter Balch. I remember Sunday, July 19, 1 "I was at Penticost's, 110 Clyde Street, Island Bay; till about 9.20 p.m. I know Young was interested in the White Horse Hotel, to what extent 1 do not know; Balch and Young were at Penticost's also. Whilst in the tramcar, Young stated (meaning the White Horse Hotel), 'She is going up to-night. The three of lis went as far as Thorncton terminus, where we alighted and walked ! towards Ngahauranga. A general conversation ensued on the way out. On: arrival at the White Horse Hotel, Young tried all the windows and found one unslammed, which he entered, and opened the side door for Balch and myself to enter. ■ We went inside, and searched the premises, but found them empty. We then jointly placed iii the. cupboard under the stairs a collection of sacks. There was already in the cupboard some old lamp's and* vessels that had contained oil, ' which were set alight by ' Young. After; lighting , that, Balch'went out to watch ' in the.' road, #ulst:::Yoiing and. my self, went'into the front' room', where Young ripped np tho couch, ; emptied'i some kerosene which he had''brought v/ith him over it, and set it alight, at "the same, time placing two chairs on' the couch. Young then' pulled down the blind,;fir6t'opening the window, and we left the prem.isesby a-side back window. We were joined in the road by Balch. Young.left us, stating he was going to; the railway line to watch, whilst Balch and myself walked back into town. I had'no interest in the fire, at all, but I received'£lo from Young on the following Sunday. I wished, to have this matter off my mind, as it has worried me, and I therefore decided to make this statement, which I do of my own free will.—(Signed) Charles Edmunds." Continuing his' evidence, Detective Eawle said that on, the morning of February 25 Detective Cameron and witness arrested the accused Balch and charged him with the offence. Ho replied, innocent. I know nothing about it. To Mr. O'Leary : Neither Balch nor Young were present when Edmunds made his statement, and neither Young nor Edmunds were present when Balch s statement was made. - At this stage the case was, on the application of Chief Detective Boddam, further adjourned to Wednesday next. THE ADELAIDE ROAD MURDER. Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., dealt with the other police cases. When Charles Harvey appeared on remand, charged with the murder ■ of Wong Way Ching on September 121aBt, Inspector Hendrey asked that he be i further remanded to Friday next. . I I On Mr. T. Wilford's behalf, who is I appearing for accused, Mr. P. W. Jack-

son inquired when tho police intended to proceed with, the .caso. Inspector Hendrey replied that the police proposed to test the accuracy of accused's statements before they proceeded with'the case. 'They would not be able to go on with the case until they were ready. "The facte of the case," 6aid the. Inspector, "are that an ol<T Chinaman was brutally murdered pn September 12 last, and, this man (meaning accused) has confessed to baying committed the murder. ' The accused was further remanded to Friday next.

POLICE AND BY-LAW OASES. A youth named Bruce Burns was remanded to appeal; at Duriedin on March 12 on a charge of forging tho name of A. Burns to a voucher for £20 at Dunedin on March 3, with intent that it should be acted upon as genuine. John Patrick Doyle was sentenced to fourteen days' gaol on a charge of unlawfully absenting himself from the Kaikoura. Accused had received a sentence of imprisonment foi a similar offence while his vessel was down south, and had just been placed on board when he* deserted a second time. A well-known offender, Lillian Jukes, was sent to gaol for a month on a charge of drunkennessj and fined £2, or fourteen days, for,using obscene lan-, guage. \ For drunkenness, Herbert Wynn Williams was fined 405., or fourteen days; Kate Sweeney and John Moore were each fined 205., or three days'/gaol. Four first offenders were dealt with. David Anderson was fined 55., with costs 75., ior-failing to keep to'the left,side of the 'street while driving a motor-car. Another charge against him of negligently driving a motor-car in Vivian. Street'was dismissed \ For leaving an unlighted car standing in Marion Street after dark, Whitcombe and Pym . were fined 65., with cost® , n -li. Wm. Jardme was-fined 10s., with costs 7s.'j.for: failing'to have a light on his . car. • when driving it'm , Lambton Quay after .dark., ;.