ALLEGED ARSON.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 413, 12 May 1902, Page 3

ALLEGED ARSON.

DEFRAUDING AN INSURANCE

COMPANY,

PREPARINGIFOR A “ FRIEND.”

By Telegraph—Press Association. Invercargill, last night. Mary Vial, a married womaD, and Roger Meldrum, her brother, were committed for trial yesterday, for burning a house in High street, Invercargill, on the 13th November, with intent to defraud the New Zealand Insurance Company of ’ £7O, the amount of insurance on the furniture. The outstanding fact of the evidence was the open way in which the preparations for the alleged crimo were gone about. Vial rented the house, and put a little furniture in. Then she asked the next neighbor to lend her some furniture, as she had friends coming, and did not want them to seo how bare the house was. - Several articles were passed over the fence, and a fair show was made. The friend proved to be the inspecting officer from the insurance office, and immediately he had left the furniture was returned to the owner, Mrs Meadows, who deposed that Vial repeatedly spoke of hor intention to burn the house aud get the insurance, also showing a gap in tho lining over the mantel, in which inflammable stuff could be put to start a blaze. Vial went to Riverton, 20 miles off, the day before tho fire, taking some effects with her. <

Meldrum is charged because he was the only person in the house when the fire occurred. With excellent direct pressure from the water-works, the fire was quenched before the house was totally destroyed, aud on examination it was found that there was very little furniture in it. Accused were allowed bail of £4OO each.