TWELVE FIRES
SUSPICIOUS ORIGIN < MAN CHARGED WITH ARSON PERIOD OF SEVEN MONTHS (By Telegraph.—Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday Twelve charges of arson in and around the city were brought against Robert Hector Butcher, aged 39, labourer, in the Magistrate’s Court today. The charges were the result of fires in unoccupied sheds and buildings over a period of seven months, mostly in the Addington and Spreydon districts. Evidence indicated that the total damage was over £200(5.
Sergeant Hodgens deposed to having seen Butcher at a fire alarm box in Addington. He asked Butcher what he was doing there, and accused said there was a fire in a house in Church Square. Although he could see no sign of smoke or flame, he went to the house, which was found to be on fire. He then detained Butcher. Fire brigade officers said in evidence that every fire mentioned in the charges was of suspicious origin. (Proceeding)
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Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21210, 5 September 1940, Page 8
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153TWELVE FIRES Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21210, 5 September 1940, Page 8
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