Alleged Incendiarism.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1696, 30 April 1886, Page 4

Alleged Incendiarism.

At the preliminary examination before the Christchurch R.M. into the burning of the New Zealand Carpet Factor}', owned by Mr Mitchell, some extraordinary assertions were made by the . only witness examined — George Richardson a carpenter. Richardson seated that on the 14th March he met Mitchell, who told him of his domestic troubles, and said that if lie could get money he would give his wife a juiup s.mn to clear out. Hjs place was ' heavily insured, and he thought he might raise the money ,if it were Jb>iijrjrit .dp«Kft. -He - tl»en- '-6f-' fpred witness £40 to do the job. Richardson said he would take time to . consider, and on several oecasiens accused met him. and asked him for his reply: At length he agreed to it, and purchased two tins of kerosene for the job, taking them to the factory, but after a conversation with the manager of (he South. British Insurance Company he declined to have anything further to do with thp matter.- Accused said he would try and raiso the money by borrowing, nnd on April 3rd, -15 days after this the fire took place. On the 14th, Detective O'Connor interviewed witness, and accused, hearing that the detective had been there, waited on him, and wns told that nothing had been gleaned.' After this evidence the accused was remanded, bail being allowed the prisoner.