ALLEGED ARSON.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1493, 29 June 1905, Page 2

ALLEGED ARSON.

'(Per Press ’Association.)' Christchurch, last night. At the Magistrate’s Court to-day(Riehard Bradburn, ex-Mayor of Sumner and a Justice of tho Peace, was charged with having on January 18, at Christchurch, procured J. Amos to set fire to a building in Manchester belonging .to B. A. Green. Evidence was given that in November, 1903, a quantity of inferior stock belonging to tho Australasian Waterproof Company’ of which Bradbury was manager, was removed from Hereford street store to Green’s building. The stock was then insured for £BOO, but shortly before the fire the risk was increased by £llOO. Amos with the approval of Bradbury fired the building on the night of January 20th, assisted by Cockett. The claim on the Insurance Company was made in respect of 4500 garments, although only about 2000 were iu the store ot the time of the fire. Amos was promised 10 per cent, of the value of the block by Bradbury, but he had not received that reward. The Insurance Company paid £1750 to Belcher, the owner of the company. Accused was committed for trial. Geo. M. Crockett and Jas. Amos wore also Committed-Son a charge of having fired the building. Hjpon written confessions made by them to the police application was made that tho men should be recommended for pardon, but the Magistrate replied he did not know whether ho had tho power to make the recommendation. He would look into the point.