SUPREME COURT.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2356, 21 October 1881, Page 3

SUPREME COURT.

CRIMINAL SITTINGS. This Day. [Before His Honor Mr Justice Johnston.] The Court re-opened at 10 a.m. ARSON. R. Gould Buxton, and Marjorie Theresa Rt.xton, were indicted for having on Juno 21th, 1881, wilfully set fire to a house in Petre street, Ashburton, the property of Thomas Quill. They were also indicted on another count, for having set fire to the same house with intent to defraud. The prisoners, who wore defended by Mr Stringer, pleaded " Not Guilty." Mr Duncan appeared to prosecute on behalf of the Crown, with him Mr George Harper to watch the case for the insurance companies interested. The case for the Crown was that the prisoners had occupied a houße in Petre street, Ashburton in June last, which was partly a dwellinghouse and partly shop In this the male prisoner carried on the business of tailor and clothier. On the 22nd June the male prisoner left ostensibly for Ohristohurch, but the female prisoner remained in the house till 9 p.m. At that hour Bhe went to her Bißter's house, leaving a little fire in the kitchen and a lamp in the front room. About a quarter of au hour afterwards the alarm was given of fire. When the polica arrived they looked in at the shop window and saw that the shelves were bare. It was also found that there was no bedding in the bedroom at all, although the female prisoner stated to Sergeant Pelton that the male prisoner had instructed her to remain in the house. The police being suspicious made search, and in the houße of Mrs Buxton's sister, a large quantity of tweed and other pro. perty, together with a file of receipts which were in the shop were found. The tweed it was alleged could bo identified uh having been in Ruxton's shop prior to his leaving for Christchurch. The insurances were .£3OO in the Standard and £l5O in the Transatlantic. The prisoner made a claim first for £ll3O and afterwards for £615. The police also discovered a quantity of tailor's trimmings, clothing, Ac, packed away in trunks sent to Timaru._ The prisoners were then arrested on suspicion of setting fire to the premises. Inspector Pender gave evidence as to the finding of a quantity of property in the house of the sister of the female prisoner, and also at the railway station, Timaru. The (latter consisted of trunks containing tailoring goods, ribbons, &c. Sergeant Felton gave corroborative evidence as to the finding of the property, and also deposed to the position of the building destroyed. He detailed a conversation held by him with the female prisoner as to the fire. [Left sitting.]