CHARGE OF ARSON.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2608, 16 August 1882, Page 3

CHARGE OF ARSON.

[PBBBS ASSOCIATION TBLBGBAM.] DUNEDIN, August 15,

At the Police Court to day Thomas MoGHU, draper, of the Arcade, was charged with haying set fire to his shop on the 30th July. The Crown Prosecutor, in concluding his opening address, said one important question was, “how the fire could possibly hays originated in the place, the prisoner being the only person on the premises for so man} hours previously, without his haying some hand in it. It would be shown that the stock on the premises had been valued at £IBO2 16s 61 by two competent persons, and that it was insured at the time of the fire for £2OOO, £IOOO in each of the two offices. There would also be evidence to show that at the time when the fire occurred the prisoner was expecting further goods to the value of £2OCO, and although it was not necessary, as his Worship was aware in cases of this kind, to suggest a motive, he (the learned counsel) would submit that the fact of these goods being so insured, and the fact of the money from the insurance amounting, as it would, to a cash sale of the lot, would be quite sufficient, even although the stock had been insured for much less than its value, instead of as it was for some £2OO more. One further circumstance to be mentioned was this, on the night preceding the fire, and then for the first time, accused’s books, which had always previously been kept on the premises, had been taken away by Mr Summerfield, to the prisoner’s knowledge. There were the principal facts to which it was necessary to direct the attention of the Court.’’ After some evidence had been beard, the case was further adjourned until Tuesday next.