ARSON CHARGE

Hokitika Guardian, 21 September 1928, Page 1

ARSON CHARGE

ACCUSED’S STATEMENTS. (By Telegraph—Press Association). AUCKLAND, Sept. 29. Detcetvies read statements made by Writers and Carroll. Waters in His statement said it was arranged between Carroll and himself that after groceries were removed, tlio stoi e should be set one lire. Tait helped him to remove the groceries in a taxicab. Carroll went to the theatre that night. As far as Waters could remember, it was Tait who set fire to tho shop. He (Waters) was under the influence of liquor at tho time. Tait took him to the hospital after lie received an injury as tbo result of an explosion. Carroll, in his statement, said: "1 knew that the shop was fo be destroyed ’by fire on August 28tli, but I did. not make any arrangements and I was not present- at the fire. A bold August 30th I called on Waters at the Police Station, when lie told me it was lie ami Tait who set fire to the shop, and that when the explosion occurred ho was standing oil tile road. I did not recompense Tait or Waters for setting firo to the place. At the time 1 made tho claim on the insurance office I included tho groceries removed liy Waters and Tait.’*

Detective Sergeant Bickerdike said that, after making his statement, Waters added: "If T hadn’t received an injury to my arm from the explosion, I don’t think you would have found out about the fire.” The Detective said that Carroll, or being shown the statement made by Waters, said; “I am pleased he didn’t say T set fire to the store, because 1 didn’t.” Both of those statement,' were shown to Tait. Ho said: "Le them prove it if they say that I car ried stuff from the store, and that 1 was at the fire.”

The accused, who reserved their defence, were committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail was fixed at £7OO,