A SUSPICIOUS FIRE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2700, 2 December 1882, Page 3

A SUSPICIOUS FIRE.

[press association telegram.]

DUNEDIN, December 1

The jury who inquired into the origin of the fire that destroyed the store of Mr Geo. Fraser, at Puera, on the 12th ult., returned a verdict of arson against some person unknown. In the course of his evidence Fraser said that a month before the fire he had sold out for £2OO, and delivery was to have been given on November 14th. He was not out of his bed on the evening in question from 11.30 till he was awoke at 1.30 by his dog barking, and then found the place on fire. Benjamin Smith, who had been employed for four days before the fire as Fraser’s storeman, gave some curious evidence. He said that he was the last to leave the store, which he did, after securely locking it up, at 8.45 p.m. He went to the tent and hung up the key in the usual place. Fraser then went to bed about midnight. After sleeping some time he was disturbed by something moving in the tent. He thought it was Fraser getting up. There was no one else in the tent. He then found the door open. The wind was blowing on his head, and he put out his hand and shut it. He went to sleep again, and the next thing he heard was Fraser calling out, “ Jack, get up and see who that is outside.” He heard a crackling sound, and he and Fraser rushed out and found the store in flames. Fraser went to the front door and he ran round to the rear of the building. He thought the fire originated on the outside, as some unburnt straw was lying outside. He told Fraser he thought it had been wilfully set on fire. Fraser asked him why he thought so, and he replied because he did not see any straw there when he locked up. Fraser then'said “ the least said the soonest mended.” The following Saturday he told Fraser he had better leave, as he did’nt want to be mixed up with the fire. Yesterday he met Fraser in the train. He got into the same carriage with him, and said, “ You are going to the inquest.” He replied “ Yes, I have been summoned.” Fraser then asked him what ho was going to say. Ho replied that he had made a statement to a detective in Oamaru. Fraser put the question again, and he told him about finding the door open. Fraser then said “ I hope you haven’t said much because it will go too hard.”

George Fraser has been charged at Balclutha with arson, and was admitted to bail, himself in .£3OO, and two sureties of .£l5O each.