SERVICE REWARDED

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 68, 17 September 1930, Page 9

SERVICE REWARDED

THE "FIRE-BUG" CASES

It is announced by the Minister of Justice (the Hon. J. (J. Cobbe) that it has been decided that the reward of £250 offered jointly by the Council of Hie and Accident Underwriters' Associations of New Zealand and the State Mre Office in,: connection with the incendiary iires ~at Christch'nreh last year Trill be paid to the members of the 3?o-. lice Force, tviio: were instrumental in securing tho arrest and conviction of ■the offenders.:? .'■...

Up to the time o£ the arrest of the Tirothers Gray-on the night of 18th December, 1929, -)b'j: Constable A. T. Gillum, the police had no information as to' the identity of tho incendiarists. The Grays, who were 'armed, were arrested single Lauded by the young constable, irhile one of theiri was actually engaged in breaking into a building. The circumstances of the arrest reflect great credit on Constable Gillum, who displayed marked intelligence, coolness and courage, states the Minister. As a direct result of the arrest, evidence to convict the Gray brothers of a series of incendiary fires and other crimes was secured, and. they were sentenced to a lengthy period of imprisonment. In accordance with the recommendation of the Commissioner of Police, Constable Gillum, who was primarily responsible for the result, will be; paid £220, and the balance of £30 will be divided between the following members of the force, who, subsequent to the arrest, obtained evidence which was presented to the Court on the trial of the offenders: —Detective-Sergeant Young £9, Detective Findlay £9, Acting-Detec-tive Hal crow £9, Sergeant Harrison £3.

Although a Chris tchurch civilian claimed the reward on behalf of his son, investigation shows that neither he nor his son nor any other person unconnected -with tho Police Foroo supplied any information leading to the conviction of! tho Gray brothers, the added.