THE WANGAEHU FIRE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 28, 5 August 1871, Page 15

THE WANGAEHU FIRE.

Wanganui papers received last night are full of the trial of McDonald, charged, on remand, with having caused the death of Peter Plain. The evidence is too long to be inserted, and not particularly interesting. An incident occurred on Tuesday, which diversified the proceedings. W. J. Owen, Esq., J.P. having failed to answer to his name when called, the constable proved having served the subpoena. A witness, * Agnes Davidson, was then examined, who identified books and other property found “ planted.” Then the absent witness was again called outside the Court, but with no better effect. The constable, we suppose, would not call very loud, well that the witness had, in the face of his subpoena, gone off to Auckland. A warrant was of course issued for his apprehension. The case is still proceeding, the accused being remanded from day to day. We understand that besides the death of Phin, there is another person named Fraser severely injured by attempting to escape. The next witness called was Roderick Marion who laid the information. We subjoin the concluding sentences of his evidence :—On the day of the fire in the morning the prisoner asked me to take a small iron bedstead to a man named Elliott who was on the run. I objected at first, as I did not like working on Sunday, it was before dinner time. I know a man of the name of Elliott.' I met him while I was carrying the bedstead. _ I had a conversation with Elliott, and in consequence thereof I put fhe bedstead in some flax. It was about half a mile from the house where I put the bedstead, Elliott’s whare being about a mile from the house. On the day after the fire, I told the prisoner I did not like to stop with him in the place, as the remains of the deceased were there. I saw the remains, to my sorrow. I could not leave at once, as the inquest had not been held. I recollect being in Elliott’s company on Wednesday ; he came to the house where I was stopping. After about half-an-hour’s conversation, we went out together. He took me to where a bag was hidden ; it was in a creek about a quarter of a mile from the river, to the right of the Wangaehu Hotel. From information divulged to me by Elliott, and from what I had seen, I had an impression on my mind. I recollect a log of wood floating down the river; acting upon that impression I drew Elliott’s attention to the log. Whilst his attention was drawn away, I took a revolver from the bag and

hid it in my clothes. The pistol produced I identify. The same day I took the pistol into town to Sergt. Reid. I did not say anything to the prisoner about it. 1 believe the bag produced to be the same. On the night of the same day, I went with the Sergeant of police to Wangaehu, to the place where I had left the bag. We found that it had been removed. The leathern trunk produced was shown to me by Elliott 'on Wednesday It was about fifty yards from the formation of a whare covered over with toi and cabbage tree tops. It was in a different place .to either the bedstead or bag. I identify the trunk* produced by marks upon it caused by my having opened it with a spade. Elliott was present when I opened it, as we both wanted to know what was inside. We found an album, a lot of books and papers, a Turkish smoking cap, and a womans veil. This latter article Elliott put into his pocket. All the other articles were put back into the trunk. In consequence of what was on my mind, I had a conversation with the accused about leaving on the same day. When the prisoner came home on Wednesday I I wanted to leave. He asked me my reasons. I replied that “ after what I had seen done a man burnt there was something heavy on my mind, and I wanted to leave him.” The prisoner replied, “ Damn it, he’s but a common man and there’s plenty of his sort in New Zealand.” I said that Elliott had shown me the things that had been planted, and that there was something on my mind, and that I would not remain at the Wangaehu on any consideration ; I told the prisoner plump, that Elliott had told me all about it, that the place had been wilfully set on fire, and had given me proof of the same. I told him that he was an unjust man, and that I did not feel safe under the same roof with him. I told him that he was a scoundrel. The prisoner appeared to be taken aback, and turned pale. He was shakey and said that I could not go to Wanganui. He wished me to go to Wellington or to leave the island. He also said that he would give me sufficient means to go any where I liked, but that I could not go in to Wanganui. I came into town on the 19th. He would not give me my swag to go into Wanganui with. He said he would send it to Turakina, and that I was to go to Wellington by the next coach. I told him when I left that I was going to Marangai, but instead of going there, I came into Wanganui. I recognise the bedstead produced. I think that about seven minutes elapsed after the first alarm of fire before I saw the prisoner. I was in my shirt, The prisoner had his coat, vest, and trousers on, with his watch in his pocket. He could have gone into church that moment if he had had his hat and boots on.