ALLEGED ARSON.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 16 August 1907, Page 2

ALLEGED ARSON.

X'er Press Association, Dunedin, August 15. At the Police Court to-day, Thos. Miller, grocer, was charged with having wilfully set Are to a house iu NorthEast Valley, and, after lengthy evidence had been tendered, he was committed for trial. The evidence was to the effect thai the house belonged to Miller. • i ~:g been purchased in 1904 for £250. .t amount, £175 was still on mortwliile he borrowed another £IOO

... ilie security of the property, and lie held an insurance policy for £225, covering the premises. Accused went to a chemist's shop, ami purchased a one pound tin of phosphorous. The same day lie was scon to go to the house, which «as unoccupied at the time, accompanied liy his lather, and left in 20 minutes. Shortly afterwards a girl had occasion to go to '".he house for some clothes of a recent tenant, and noticed the first signs of the fire, and a strong smell of phosphorous. She gave the alarm, and neighbors put the fire out before much damage was done. On the police visiting, it was found that phosphorous had apparently been poured between the bricks of the chimney of the lining boards from the roof. A little distance from a manhole in the ceiling an empty caunister was found, which the chemist ideat.ilied as having contaiuied phosphorous, which he sold to accused. The former occupier's furniture and effects, which were uninsured, were lying in the house at the time.