EXTRAORDINARY ACT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1795, 28 June 1906, Page 4

EXTRAORDINARY ACT.

GIRL SETS EIRE TO A BED. At Auckland, boforo Mr W. G. liiddoll, S.M., a 12 year-old girl nnmod Msrgarotta McKonzio Oampboll ploadod guilty to wilfully attempting to set tiro to a bod and pillow in a dwelling-houso in Roso Road, the property of Emma Hartnett. Sergeant Hendry stated that tho girl resided with tho complainant. Mrs Hartnett intended to go to tho theatre, and in ordor to prevent her doing so tho girl set tire to tho bod and pillow. She told Mrs Hartnett that two black men had broken into tho houso, and one of them hit hor with a pieco of wood on tho arm (which slio actually showed to Mrs Hartnott, pointing out a scratch), whilo tho othorsot liro to tho bedding, Subsequently sho admitted that tho story was untrue, and that tho cut had boeu occasioned by a full on tho stairs. In roply to Mr Riddell tho girl said sho thought that Mrs Hartnott was goiDg to tho play, and sho did not want to be left alono. Mr Riddell (to Mrs Hartnett) : You aro not in a habit of leaving hor alono, aio you ? Mrs Hartnott: Oh, no! Thoro is always somebody in tho house. The girl was given an excellent character by Mrs Hartnott, w ho undertook to koop a more careful watch over hor movements in futuro. After lecturing tho girl on tho serious nature of tho ollence and the possiblo penalties Mr Riddell discharged hor without reoording a conviction.