BIRKETT’S GARAGE

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1931, Page 6

BIRKETT’S GARAGE

CHARGE OF FIRINC IT.

REVELATION IN COURT.

(By Teleyraph —Per Press Association)

WELLINGTON, May 27

Hilton Herbert Brooks, aged 25, a labourer was charged before Mr Hewitt, S.AL, with wilfully setting fire to Birkett and Sons’ garage oil Thorndon Quay on April 20. Formal evidence similar to that at the recent Magisterial inquiry into the cause of the fire was given by Edward Percival Lambert and Superintendent Creeke of the Fine -.Brigade ,\pnd Richard Andrew Evans,, accountant employed by Van Stevern Bros., acting trustees of the

Lionel Caselberg estate, in regard to the building being insured for £6OOO and being damaged to the extent of £685,. He bad no record of the accused having any interest in the build-

Nancy F. Lambert gave evidence of seeing a man, who appeared to jump out of a hole in a window of the garage and into a car waiting nearby. She described how her father followed this car in his own, and described the car as a coupe ,either green or blue in colour. She was not sure which. Edwin Thomas Skews, who prior to the fire was foreman-mechanic: at the garage, said/ there was a Durant coupe car in the garage. It was used by everybody, but mostly Turnbull, the secretary. It was dark green in colour. Witness believed Turnbull said something in conversation that, d:iv about- having to see Brooks after lie had tea. Turnbull left the garage, at 7 p.iir. for tlie purpose of having tea'and witness, understood the appointment was for 'some time later in the evening Turnbull did not- say whore, or at what time that lie had to see Brooks.

SENSATIONAL TURN. ACCUSED'S STATEMENT. WELLINGTON. Alay 27. In the Birkett fire case, Richard Alexander Shelgrave, adjuster lor three insurance companies, gave details concerning certain cars considerably qvor-iusured.. Percival Al'acLean, professional adjuster- for Hartford Assurance Coy , gave . details of the insurance of •truck sold to Brooks. He described bis visit to Longbush, where the truck had been damaged by fire. The company paid out £67. Later be learn-, ed the truck i had been insured with ■.another company. ‘ Arthur-Henry Clark, manager of the Insurance ' Office of Australia, sa : d that an insurance on this truck for £3OO had been taken out at an Auckland office. He did not know r’vi'liiYphid"'file"'preiHiu'iii 1 . I ''No' claiin had been made.

Stanley Jepsom, motor mechanic £ said he remembered Brooks bringing jf,-.the truck in oiri April 20'. Turnbull ,£ had offered overtime to a mechainc A ;jtO push all the cars into the garage r before leaving. He identified spare iv /parts a lid tools as the -property of I; Bii-ketts. t Detective Win. McLennan said he had seen Brooks at the Detective Ofy fice about a month after the fire. . A jßipoks, denied starting* the lire; Then y |vc told Brooks that he had had a : -letter ; saying that he- and Turnbull, £ /the secretary'.- had set fire to the place and-that Brooks had stolpn some tools and spare parts. Accused said • “Yes I did it! .Turnbull was with me. and held the door open for me to get out.” Detective MucLemian said than Brooks made two statements, which the detective read to the court. ACCUSED’S STATEMENT. In . his, second statement. Brooks : gave.details of having bought a truck from, Birkett’s for £333. under the hir&,,purchase system. Birkett. got- an advance of £239 on the sale from the Coihmercial Investment Trust Coy.. Christchurch, in February. The truca took lire in a paddock through faulty wiring. He wa,s told it was insured for £3OO Birkett told him lie would have a cheap cab put on and claim for a a first class job from liio insurance Company. Afterwards lie found that body builders bad built a cab of motor ear casing. He had trouble with the engine and on April. 20th look it to Birkett’s garage. He was lent a Chevrolet van to do some carrying. Brooks then described having tea with Turnbull and subsequently their return to the garage where Turnbull produced three bottles of beer. They talked foi some time Turnbull saving the ‘‘old man,” meaning Birkett, was away. He kept talking fire, and said that he was the hardest worked ‘man in Wellington, “ in fact Brooks.” he said, “1 have a dammed good mind to let her go to-night.” He , suggested how easy it was to fire tlie place. The accused’s statement eoiitmued that Turnbull said; “We will have a damn good burn. Th two of us can j let the place go. If we can’t make a I j job if it, we are mugs.” I,urnbull opened the storeroom and went to Karori to get. his car. a green coupe. , Brooks toolc a van. with spares and f fools, down the road. He saw Turnhull empty benzie on the floor of the t garage. He continued “1 had the a wind up then .and I said to ,Turnbull, 1 i had better get nut.” The statement a continued. “He soi dit was all right 11 not to go. I waited ,and we went down T '

stairs about 11.30 p.i11./and it was then, agreed between ns ..that .we. would set the place on fire. I opened, the trap door, and looked up and don n the street and told •Turnbull that there was no person about, and lie asked me to keep the door open ready, for him to get out 1 then stood at the door, keeping watch and Turnbull went to two closing doors/ of the workshop, and set the garage on fire. An explosion occurred. TiTrnbull and I then left the ganlge together,' and got into Ills car and drove away.” Brooks continuing his statement, said that he picked up the van with the parts an/1 went home and told his mother that the garage was on fire and that he had set fire to it with Turnbull. He had the van for about a week, before leaving it with the man from w

was taken by Birkett. He could not get the van hack. Turnbull explained 1 to him that Birkett did/ not know anything about the arrangement, and would not allow the van out. On ttil's occasion lie and Turnbull had a drink together and Turnbull told him thq fire had been a “ —” of a job, and that ho felt like kicking himself and Brooks for not making;' a better job of it .Turnbull bad told him lie could take the van and spares. All the tools and spare parts, except the jack and battery, had; been recovered from Brooks, said Detective -VlacLoiman. Brooks told him that lie was pleading ''VuTity” -to the charge, and that he wanted to give them every assistance in clearing up the business. -Mr .McCarthy, for Brooks. said; that lie desired to plead “not guilty.”

The accused was committed to the Supreme Court for trial.. Bail was renewed in £SOO and a surety of £SOO.