A SUSPICIOUS FIRE

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3021, 2 December 1882, Page 2

A SUSPICIOUS FIRE

[By Telegraph.] Ddnedin, Dec. 1. The jury who inquired into the origin of the fire that destroyed the store of Mr George Fraser, at Puerua, on the 15th uit., returned a verdict of arson against some person unknown. In the course of his evidence, Fraser said that a month before he bad sold out for £2OO, and delivery was to have been given on Nov. 14. He was not out of his bed on the evening in question from 11,30 till he was awoke at 1.30 by his dog burking, and then ho found the place ou fire.

Benjamin Smith, who hud been employed for four days before the fire as Fraser’s storeman, gave some curious evidence. He said ho was the last to leave the store, winch he did after securely locking it tip at 8.45 p.m. He then went to the tent and hung up the key in the usual place. Fraser then went to bed. About midnight, after sleeping some time, he was disturbed by some one moving in the tent. He thought it was Fraser getting up. There was no one else in the tent. He then found the door open. The wind was blowing on his head, and he put out his band and shut it. He went to sleep again, and the next thing he heard was Fraser calling out “Jack, get up and see what that is outside.’’ He heard a crackling sound, and he and Fraser rushed out and found the store in flames. Fraser went to the front door, and he ran round to the rear of the building. He thought the fire originated on the outside, as some unhnrnt straw was lying there. He told Fraser he thought it had been wilfully set on fire. Fraser asked him why, and he replied because he saw no straw there when he locked up. Fraser then said, “The least said the soonest mended.” The following Saturday he told Fraser he had better leave, as he did not want to be mixed up with the fire. Yesterday he met Fraser in the train. He got info the same carriage with him and said “ Yon are going to the inquest.” He replied “ Yes I have been summoned.” Fraser then asked him what he was going to say. He replied that he had made a statement to a detective in Oamaru. Fraser put the question again, and he told him about finding the door open. Fraser then saM, “ I hope you haven’t said much, because it will go too hard.”