AN ARSON CASE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1767, 7 June 1906, Page 2

AN ARSON CASE.

JURY DISAGREE,

(Per Press Association.)

Auck'and, last nigb

Tbe bearing of the oaße against William Walker, oharged with oruostliing James Orowther to o.mmit ar-on by petting fire to the former’s premises in West street, wasccncluled to-day. The jury, aft-tr a lengthy .retirement, reported they were unable to agree. A new trial was ofdjred to take place next session.

Mr Tole, in opening, said the ptisoner counselled Orowther between April 6 and 17 to commit tbe off&ioe of arson by set ti g fire to premises in West street,' which wore insured in tbo name of Walker's wife. The attempt to burn down the buildings, however, was unsuooessfo l , and Orowther and Walker were subsequent’y arrosted. The former made a confession, and was committed for eentence.

James Orowther, a laborer, said ho bad been committed for sentenoe for setting tbe buildingf in question on fire. Witness said be was approaobed by Walker in April last, when the latter a°ked him to sot his premises in West street on fire, for which be premised him £lO. Orowther went on to relate what transpired at this and subsequent interviews, bis evidence being substantially tbe same as he gave in the lower Court. Walker informed him that both bouses and contents were insured.

Witness eot out on the night of tha 15th for the purpose of setting fire to the building, but did not do so, being frightened by the barkiog of a dog. 11s set fire .to the place on tbe 17tb, lighting soma saturated with oil, whioh be and Walker hid placed in tbe basemontof tbe building before. Subsequent to the file, Walker cal'ed for the kry of the plaee, whioh he bad given to witness to use. Previous to tbo fire, Walker left a bundle of olothss in a BUgar-bag at witness’ residence.

To Mr Martio: He was oonvioted in Auckland about two years ago for theftWitness originally oame from New South Wales, but be had never been charged with any offence over there- At the time of the offence ho was in permanent employment as a groom, and was earning 35s per week. Mr Martin: Can you give us any reason why you were prepared for a paltry £lO note to commit this c ime whioh might hove resulted in loss of life ? ..... Witness: Well, I did not want to do it at all, b.ut he always oame to me. But you ate not a child, and were in constant employment. 1 want you, if you can, to give us your reasons why, for a £lO note, you committed this crime, and might have got the woman eler ping next door burnt to death.—l don’t know.

Nuw, I thick you told your wife and Campbell, who was boarding with you, tbat-you were going to do it ?—Yes. Did they try to d s>uade you from it ? They told me that 1 ought not to. Was that all the psrsuasion they used ? Did you not also a candle into Campbell, and t-ll him that it was with that that you were going to do it ?—Y-s. Why did you do it ? X felt “ galley.” His Honor ; What is ” galley”? Witness: I,fait fiighiened.

Mr Martin : 'Fright ned if whit ?

Witaeee: I felt frightened of Walker, and thought he might thiDk that it was not I who did it.

Why were you frightened of Walker? f thought that if be thought I did not do it ho would give m,e a hiding on my way home from work.

Mr Mattie: So you would rather commit arson and possibly oauss the death of a woman than risk a hiding 1 In reply to fuither questions, witness denied th it Walker's reason for giving him the key was that be (Crowther) could get whatevor tools bo wanted. He did not take an interret in the coroner’s inqu'ry—not that lie remembered. He read tue reports of' the inquest.