THE BLENHEIM MYSTERY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2967, 3 August 1888, Page 2

THE BLENHEIM MYSTERY.

Prom the files of "the Marlborough papers we givo some further details of this curious case, There is no doubt as to the accused, Long, being the man who lived iu Masterton for some four years, and answored to tlie namo of Alexander G, Smith as the evidence of Constable Coopper, which we reproduce, will show. It is supposed that Long had a confederate, and from the fact of the almost simultaneous outbreak of the two fires, that Long was the author of both, Both these corrections are assumptions, as no reasonable evidonce has been obtained to connect him with tho fire at Ah Gco's, and the opinion is more acceptable that tho outbreak was merely a coincidence. Long is supposed to have had mouey. At any rate, when paying Mr Howard for the articles he purchased from him lie drew out a handful of sovereigns, On being searched after his arrest, only 5s Id was discovered upon him, four shillings of which were found in his boots. Some of his clothes were found in the yard. On searching the woodhouse, Constable Sheary discovered two watches, the property of accused. They too wrapped in tissue paper, and were concealed in a small corner. One of the watches-a Waltham—bore the inscription "Made expressly for J. Sparrow, Lauucoston." The watch was "going" when discovered, The other was a ladv's gold watoh, but it appoared of littlo value. Probably tho most interesting discovery of effects was a carpet bag found in the bedroom of tho Empire Hotel in which accused slept the provious evening. It contained a miscellaneous quantity of personal effects, amongst' wliioh wore a hymn book and two or' three bibles, In the flyleaf of one of the latter was written the following legend;—' l "A promise-By the grace of God I will abstain from all intoxicating drink as a bevorage, and everything contrary to nature and grace. 1 In another page was inscribed tho following rather appropriate lines; ,f Tlio cheek of the man is enough to make man swear," Long is evidently a poet, for there were several similar "unconsidered trifles" of that kind. He was brought again before Mr J, E, Hodson, J,P„ on Tuesday, and charged (1) unlawfully, maliciously, and feloniously setting fire to a certain dwelling; (2) doing so with a view to defraud tlio Victoria Insurance Company i and (8) for concealing certain PFPpprty •ffith a view to defrauding f bat Company. On tho application of Sergeant Scanlaqj accused was remanded till Monday,; and lie was con-

veyed to Picton by the afternoon train,Tlio insurances wero £IOO on the building in the Norwich- Union and £4O on tlio furniture in the Equitable. With regard to the firoat Ah' Gee's nothing ■ further has transpired to throw light upon its origin.. It is generally supposed to have boon purely accidental, and to have badiio connection with the Dillon-street affair, On the case resuming last Tuesday, Constable Cooper, of Mastertonj deposed: Have beeii 18months at Ma's-' Urtou. Remember going tliero on tlio 16th or 16th February 1887. Know accused, Knew him first on the 22nd or 28rd February, about a,week after going to Masterton. Spoke to him, and asked him his name. 1 tie said "Alexander Smith.", He was working at his trado as Ho has over, since been in Masterton or tho viomity, up- till June 80th (last month,) Never knew him .by.the namo of Long., / Nover heard anybody - else say - so.- ~ ;He; never; gav«. any other, name, :?.This morning - lie i spoke to accused,- - and - also last -night.: .He I spokeV?;as: '&to.-v-an// ; ac(iuaintanceV Asked him: why■heT:- called»hiiu- | self Long. He replied that the I man -who • had: employed: him to jCome here and get a . house - ready - for the' reception of his; jiarentsi ;r ; had' told him to buy.the things in liis'(the.employer's) name of Long. : ■ He said no more on that subject. The case was remanded and will come on for hearing to-morrow, Saturday.