THIEF AND FIRE-RAISER

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 852, 28 March 1903, Page 3

THIEF AND FIRE-RAISER

RASCAL’S CONFESSION,

Per Press Association.; Auckland, last night,

David Somerville, the head clerk of Mossrs Reid and Co., who was arrested in connection with tho fire discovered on the firm’s premises on February 24, has made a confession of his guilt. Somerville, in his confossion, stated Tho last balance was to January 81, 1903. I showed about £7OOO of debts, when the actual amount 'should have been £4OOO. This has been worrying me, nearly driv-

ing mo mad, and I did not know what to do. At ten minutes past five p.m. on Tuesday, February 24, 1903, I left the office, and came home to my house at Mount Roskill. I returned to a meeting loft thoro at 9.45 p.m., went to the office, and decided to burn tho place to hido the, errors in tho books. I got to the office at about 15 minutes past 10 p.m., had the key to tho front door, entered, and opened tho safo in the office. I took out the ledger, index, and cheque books, and put them on the floor. I got an armful of straw from the back of the store, scattered it over the books, and also sprinkled two bottles of methylated spirits on the lot. I was excited and left the safe door open. I slammod tho front door after me. When I opened the safe, and beforo setting fire to the premises, I took all the money out, put it in my pocket, and took it home with me to save it. The amount was £35 in gold and notes, which I handed over to Detective Henderson at my house when he called.