SUSPICIOUS FIRE

Hokitika Guardian, 1 June 1932, Page 6

SUSPICIOUS FIRE

COMMENT BY MAGISTRATE

(By Telegraph—Be. Press Association)

CHRISTCHURCH, May 31

“In niy opinion, the premises were deliberately set on fire, and, in view of the, short space of time which elapsed between the departure of the occupier find the discovery of the fire, si strong suspicion rests on him,” said H. P.' j)awry,; S.M. at the .inquiry today into!the fiup which occurred oh' Febin aj draper’s shop at Rangiora, occupied: irby Edward Tennyson Smith Cameron. The evidence..showed that the fire had occurred shortly after Cameron had locked the shop, and left it. Cameron sajd lie had .le.'t £2l in notes in the shop. SinCd: starting business, he had macle a loss -of ahoifit |C3().. The stock wijs insured lor £75. He thought somebody had hidden in the shop and set it on fire. The Coroner said there was no evidence to support the suggestion that a man had secreted himself and set the : shop on fire. The theory was discredited by the absence of any motive. Tliijfe was no evidence of tlieft. None <4f- tlie neighbours appeared to have lfe'fird or seen such an individual.