Accidents, Offences, &c.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 221, 28 August 1884, Page 2

Accidents, Offences, &c.

THE AUCKLAND FIRE. FATAL GUN EXPLOSION. BIOTS IN AUCKLAND. BURNT TO DEATH. SEVEN YEARS FOR INCENDIARISM. WRECK OF THE AUGUSTA. SEDUCTION. [Per Association Telegrams.] Auckland, August 28. Vaille, draper, estimates the damage to his stock by fire at £7OOO. The insurances are £4,000 in the North British; £l,OOO in the New Zealand ; £l,OOO in the Norwich Union. The building is owned by F. L. Prime, and insured in the New Zealand for £750. No further light has been thrown on the origin of the fire.

At the police Court to-day Henry Butler, one of the Saturday night rioters, was sent to prison for 50 days without the option of a fine, and in another case a fine of 20s. and costs was imposed, defendant also to pay for damage to policeman’s unform or undergo seven days’ imprisonment. A Maori girl 7 years old has been burned to death at Mongaewai, in a whare. The Maories buried the remains. The police will disinter them and get the corner to hold an enquiry into the affair. Dunedin, August 28.

A man named James Burns, laborer, 24 years of age, was killed through the explosion of a gun. Deceased left his brother’s house for the purpose of going rabbit shooting with some companions. When about a quarter of a mile from the Ashburn Hill Asylum, Halfway Bush, a single barrelled gun that he was carrying went off, shooting him in the head. The other men, who were 20 yards behind him, ran up to deceased who only uttered “Oh, Jim !” and died. Burns was carrying the gun in his hand with the muzzle up at the side of his head, which was much shattered. An inquest will probably be held. Nelson, August 28. A five-roomed cottage, near Hardy Street, was discovered to be on fire last evening, but was soon extinguished. It was then found that the occupant, an old lady well-known and esteemed, especially in musical circles, (Mrs. Scaife, senior) had been burnt to death. Mrs. Scaife lived by herself, and was not seen later than 3 o’clock, when the visitor left. As the remains were found between the fire-place and the door of the sitting-room it is surmised that her dress became ignited by coming in contact with the grate, and that she endeavored to-escape; but fell, and the fire then spread to the building. Invercargill, August 28.

At the Supreme Court. J. H. C. Christie, convicted of setting fire to a house at Soho Creek, Wakatipu, which had that day been sold to one Hamilton, but which had formerly been the property of his mother-in-law (Mrs. Champion), was sentenced to seven years penal servitude.

In Mildin Hall v. Stevens, an action by the father for the seduction of his daughter, aged 16, by a nephew of a runholder by whom plaintfff was employed, the jury gave £l5O damages to plaintiff. The wreck of the Augusta was sold for £3l ss. The vessel is entirely broken up, some gear only being saved. A marine enquiry will be held to-morrow.