INCENDIARISM IN DUNEDIN.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2930, 16 August 1882, Page 2

INCENDIARISM IN DUNEDIN.

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Dunedin, August 15.

At tbe Police Court to-day Thomas McGill, a draper in tbe arcade, was charged with having sot fire to his shop on the 30th July. The Crown Prose, cntor in concluding his opening address said one important question was “ How the fire could possibly have originated in tbe place, the prisoner being the only person on the premises for so many hours previously, without his having some hand in it. It would be shown that the stock on the premises had been valued at £IOB2 16s fid by two com. potent persons, and that it was insured at the time of the fire for £2OOO • £IOOO in each of two offices. There would also be evidence to show[that at the time when the fire occurred the prisoner was expecting farther goods to the value of £2OOO, and though it was not necessary, as His Worship was aware, in cases of this kind to suggest motive, he (the learned counsel) would submit that the fact of these goods being so insured, and the fact of the money from the insurance amounting as it would to a cash sale of the lot, would be quite sufficient, even although tbe stock had been insured for much less than its value, instead of as it was, for some £2OO more. One farther circumstance to be mentioned was this. On the night preceding the fire, and then for the first time, accused’s books, which had always Eviously been kept on the promises, been taken away by Mr Summerfield, to tbe prisoner’s knowledge. These were the principal facts to which it was necessary to direct the attention of the Court.” After some evidence had been board the case was further adjourned until Tuesday next.