ARSON CHARGE

Hokitika Guardian, 27 May 1930, Page 2

ARSON CHARGE

THE CROWN’S PRESUMPTION

(By Telegraph—Per Tress Association.!

NEW PLYMOUTH, May 26

Arising out of a fire in a carpainter’s shop at Elthnm cm January LOfcli, Robert Thomson was charged with wilfully setting fire to his shop, and, alternatively, with wilfully set’ling fire to substances in the shop knowing' that the building was likely to be set on fire by those substances. He pleaded'not guilty. The, Crown Prosecutor referred t< the disco very of the lire, and he emphasised'the fact that the accusseu, who was in partnership with his brother, , was in straitened financial circumstances. His brother owned the property' and the building-, hut there were two on it. They had £3OO unseen red debts, and were being pressed for the overdue interest on the second mortgage, and also by some of their creditors. The accused was made bankrupt, about a fortnight alter the fife. It Wfis pointed nut that his financial position Was so bad that the telephone and electric light services fonnii cut off because the fees were not paid. v Conns d suggested that from the point of view of the insurance, a successful fire would have been a godsend for the accused. There was a policy of £560 on the building. £220 on the plant. £lO3 on the stock. £HV) on tlm w°rk in band—a total oif £80 c 'o. On the. day of the fire, the accused fiftd purchased a tin of lvuvrne. A"er n.n five an empty tin was fum’d near the front door. The fire was disroverernd in several parts of the h"dd"V' •dvmltajipolish’. The fire actually did little damgae.

T n n stat'” l1 '’-it to + l ’" ’Hire, Thomson had said that he had been using hep chip to clean a car. He had left work, hut noticing the parking light” burning on the cart he had returned to turn thorn off. He struck a match and an explosion o"oiir”od. The case for , the defence has not yet begun. . . , .