ARSON AND BURGLARY

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1082, 20 September 1930, Page 13

ARSON AND BURGLARY

MAN AND WOMAN CHARGED FIRE IN SAMPLE ROOMS Press Association NAPIER, Friday. As a sequel to a burglary and fire m the Club sample-rooms, Herschell Street, Napier, on July 19, John Lee Aston and Mary Bridget O’Neil were brought before the Police Court today and committed for trial on charges of arson, breaking and entering and theft. The evidence showed that fires were started in several different places in the sample-rooms, and goods were The owners deposed to losses. Several witnesses gave evidence that the male accused approached them and offered for sale clothing similar to that stolen. The police stated that a search of a cottage in which the two accused lived together resulted in the finding of certain goods similar to those stolen, and two price tickets found in the woman's box were identified by the occupier of the sample-rooms. Both accused denied knowledge of the crime. A witness called for the defence said he slept at the accused’s house on the night of the fire, and that no one could have left without rousing him. In view of this counsel contended that the accused could only be charged with receiving. However, the presiding justices committed them for trial on all the charges.