MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 172, 8 November 1876, Page 2

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

THIS DAY. TBefore J. Udaix and G. Sumpter, Esqs., L Js.P.] . ARSON. Neil M'Cowan was brought up on the charge of having, on the 4th instant, maliciously set fire to a dwelling-house at the Old Waitaki Ferry. Prisoner, who was undefended, pleaded " Not Guilty." Peter Prender deposed : I am Inspector of Police, stationed at Timaru. From information received, I yesterday went to recently-burned down premises of the accused, at the Old Waitaki Ferry, on the Canterbury side. Constable Loose, and a man named Blackwood were along with me. Blackwood pointed out the different rooms. In the room shown as the bedroom occupied by prisoner, I saw, in the centre of the floor, the remains of a large heap of paper. There were two candlesticks on the floor, close to where the burned paper lay. They were standing upright, but there were no candles in them. They appeared very much burned. A short distance from where the remains of the bed lay, there was another heap of burned paper. At the other side of the room, therfe was a third heap, similar to the other two. They were printed papers, bui appeared more of a religious nature than portions of newspapers. They had all the appearance of being heaped together for a purpose. I went into the stable, in company with the constable, and he drew my attention to a parcel of clothing which was concealed under a horse cover. The stable was about fifty yards from the house, and was not injured by the fire. The clothing consisted of a new coat and vest, a very good pair of pants and gaiters, and a pair of leggings almost new. The whole of the things were tied together in part of a torn Crimean shirt. Mr. Blackwood identified the clothing as having been in a box in M'Cowan's bedroom the evening before. From other information received, I came on to Oamaru last evening, and arrested the prisoner cn the charge of setting fire to the house. To the Bench : I saw the policy of insurance on the premises. Tne house is insured in the Standard office for £250 £2OO on the building, and £SO on the furniture. After the fire, M'Cowan stated t :at every stitcli of clothing had burnt, and that he had nothing unless what lie stood up in. The Inspector stated that he had not had tnne to collect the evidence, and as to Resident Magistrate would sit at Waiinate on Tuesday, he would ask for a roni:! nd to that p!aci-. T.:e Bench t :en addressing the prisoner, informed him that the Court was of wt,? of opinion that t:ere was su'iicient evidence to grant the remand applied for, and that it v.as not necessary that he •j :o-i 11 make any remark, as such would not alter tie decision arrived at. The prisoner was then remanded to Waimate.