MAGISTRATES' COURT.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1482, 15 November 1878, Page 3

MAGISTRATES' COURT.

CHRISTCHURCH. THURSDAY, NOVEMBBB 15. [Before G. L. Mellish, Esq., R.M., and 11. D. Neave, Esq., J.P.J Dhunkenness. —Two inebriates, who had not been previously convicted, were each fined ss, and cab-hire Is 6d. Ahson. The case against Alexander Cowan, who appeared on roinand charged with arson, was resumed this morning. Chas. Reed deposed—l am a sheepi'armer, residing at Westerileld, Ashburton. I know the prisoner. The house occupied by him is my property. He has been my tenant since February, 1872. The house is situated at the corner of Salisbury and Colombo streets. The tenancy was yeirly. The rent is in arrear, about £lO7, which still remains unpaid as far as I know, unless lately paid to my agents, Messrs Hanmer and Harper. Cross-examined by Mr Joynt—Since the fire, Cowan has been to tho Ashburton to see me with reference to the arrears of rent. Charles Francis Reed, jun., sworn—lnstructed by my father I saw Cowan about the rent. I gave him a written notice to quit tho house. [Mr Joynt objected.] I wished him to leave' the house, and spoke about the rent. He said he wouia not H fl!l j with me, only my father. I told him unless the rent was paid, or security given, I should put the matter in the hands of solicitors. He replied that even if that was done, and he was sold up, he had a perfect right to stay in the houso six months. Alfred Taylor deposed—l am a clerk in the Transatlantic Insuranco Office, Christchurch. The defendant Cowan called on the 24th October last to insure his furniture and piano, for the sum of £6OO on the lot. An insuranco for £3OO was subsequently effected, £250 furniture and £SO on the piano. He was previously insured with us in 1875 for £3OO, and in 1876 for £4OO. J. D. Macphersou deposed —I am agent for the South British Insuranco Company and manager of the Canterbury branch ; on the 21th October accused proposed to effect an insurance for £3OO on household furniture, valued at £7OO in two buildings. My junior clerk inspected the premises, &c, previous to insuranco being made. The application was cancelled on the 26th October, and

the money paid was returned to accused. Harry Wogstaff deposed that ho had inspected the furniture, &c, under instructions from the managing clerk of the South British Insurance Company, Christchurch office. Robert Hislop deposed—l saw the accused after the fire. He said if I thought there was anything wrong, or suspicious about the fire tho insurance had better be " off." Cross-examined by Mr Joynt —Thiß remark of accused was quite voluntary. Detective Walker deposed thut he served on accused a notice to produce a document. Greorge Harper deposed—l produce copy of letter, dated October 23rd, 1878. [Mr Joynt objected.] I sawaccused about October 30t,h; he' called with reference to a letter received by him from our office, and said he hoped to make some arrangement, cither by bill of sale or otherwise, for payment of £lO7 —due for rent. I told him I would wait the result of his efforts, as ho quite satisfied mo he was sufficiently solvent as to necessitate no immediate stops on Mr Reed's behalf. He seemed decidedly anxious to retain his tenancy. James Crosby Martin deposed—lnstructed by Mr Geo. Harper, I wrote to the accused on 23rd October, applying for the sum of £lo7los, rent duo to end of September. A week was given him for payment. Jas. Geo. ! Hawkes deposed —Some few days after the fire I went to Malvern House. I took an

inventory and valued the furniture in both houses. My valuation was £317 Is Bd. At ono timo it had been worth considerably more, but some of it was very dilapidated and had seen much service Mrs Cowan rendered me overy possible assistance in the valuation. I produce a copy of tho inventory, the original being handed to tho Insurance Association. Detective Walker, recalled —I reached Malvern Houso on the day of the fire about 1.10 p.m. On my arrival I found the fire was out. He then ?ave corroborative evidence as to Sergeant Hughes finding flax smelling of kerosene, and the state as accused's hands, &0,, as previously reported. Tho Court then adjourned.