CONFESSION OF ARSON.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2252, 17 May 1881, Page 3

CONFESSION OF ARSON.

[PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM-] HOKITIKA, May 16. Mrs M'Qahey, wife of the man who now lies in Hokitika gaol charged with the murder of Bell, arrived in town by coach from Christchurch on Saturday last. Soon after her arrival sho went to the police station and confessed to Sergeant Moller that she had wilfully set fire to her husband’s house at Larry’s Creek in the month of December last. It appears from her story that funds were subscribed to enable her to leave Eeefton, and that she went to Westport, and from that port took ship for Lyttelton. Sho obtained un engagement as servant to a family in Amberloy. She was, however, constantly disturbed by tho apparitions of her husband and tho murdered man Bell. These ghostly visitors urged upon her to make atonement, and as she could not bear their continued reproaches she determined to come back to the Coast by the first opportunity ar.d deliver herself up to justice. Sergeant Moller arrested her upon u charge of arson. Sho also informed Sergeant Moller that she asked the spirit of the murdered man whether she should take her own life, but was advised to come over here and confess what she had done. Her statement was minute, and she said she had walked twelve miles in order to burn down her house, which she resolved should never become the property of the mortgagee after all her hard work to make a home for herself. It is clear that tho unfortunate creature’s bruin must bo temporarily affected by the shocking events with which her name is connected. She was brought up at the R.M, Court this morning on a charge of arson, and remanded, on tho application of the Inspector of Police, for eight days to undergo medical treatment, tho accused being in a very week state of health.