CHARGE OF ARSON

Hokitika Guardian, 20 October 1932, Page 6

CHARGE OF ARSON

SUSPICIOUS OUTBREAK AT OAMARU. EVIDENCE FOE, THE CROWN. (Per Press Association — Copyright.) •TIMARU, October 18. In the Supreme Court to-day Henry Arthur Diehl Was charged with arson in connection with an' outbreak of fire in the Druids’ Hall, Oamaru, on September 12th. His Honour Mr Justime Reed was on the-. Bench. Walter Ernest Searle, insurance agent, Oamaru, and owner of the Druids’ Hall, said the building was let to a man nanied Gliaridge as an indoor howling greqn. George Henry Ola ridge, draper, Oamaru, said that accused was .in partnership with him in, the bowling green. The floor of the hall wtas of wood, sawdust on top of that, felt on top of that, and a layer of hessian topmost. An insurance policy had been taken out on bowls left by patrons in the building, also on howls owned by witness and accused, and fittings. The articles belonging to the partnership were yalued at £4O. A policy of £IOO covered the howls and a further £75 policy covered the equipment and certain articles the partnership had on ‘loan. There was no petrol in the building. After he and' accused left the premises Diehl returned later to ascertain if a fire left burning in the grate was safe. Constable Vovce said he was standing in. a right-of-way near the rear of the premises at 9.20 p.m. when he saw smoke issuing from the building. A man leaving the rei.ar door hesitated' on seeing witness, then raced down the allay way with witness in pursuit. Near the end of the right-of-way witness heard a tin dropped. In the street he overtook a mian who dropned into a walk. Questioned why lie had run from the premises accused renlied. “Can’t a man run if he likes?” Returning to the premises with accused, witness, on entering, found the building full of smoke, a strip of fire three feet wide running the length of the hessian floor covering. The smell of petrol wias strong.