An Incendiary.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 414, 8 February 1890, Page 2

An Incendiary.

CAUGHT IN THE ACT. An attempt tn set a portion of the town oa fire was made at 1.15 yesterday morning. An elderly man named J. H. Topping had for many months occupied the shop next door to Mr Craig’s bakery and to Mr Roberts’ jeweller's shop. He had whst appeared to be a thriving business as a fruiterer, and kept, his place nice and tidy, but he had that weakness which has brought so many men to their ruin—a passion for alcohol. He went off on occasional sprees, but generally managed to pull himself together again, and when in a rational frame of mind he had a very fair capacity

for business, and seemed specially suited for the line in which he was engaged. But his last spree had more than a mere temporary effect; it brought him to the wall completely. His rent was allowed to fall into arrears, his little business was left to take care of itself, and the old man degraded to the most abject picture of misery. Anything for drink, and no thought of the future. His landlord had of course to turn him out, and after the exercise of much patience his stretcher and mattress were put outside, on Wednesday night. On Thursday night he was back again, and it was thought of giving him in charge, but then it was considered better to let him have time to sleep off the effects of his stupor, telling him that if he did not clear off by 4 in the morning he would be given in charge. So be was allowed to remain in the passage. At the time stated, Mr Roberts heard Topping walking through to the hack, and shortly afterwards heard the crackling noise of a fire. Jumping up and rushing out, he states that ha saw a heap of rubbish blazing, having just been lighted, and Topping was standing alongside , while, the heap being against a shed, the flames were fast curling np the weatherboards, Roberts made an exclamation to Topping, and asked him if he was trying to set ths Since t>n fire, and then rushed and woke up tr Craig. Topping did not make a reply, and then disappeared, Messrs Craig and Roberts putting out the fire. In a tow minutes more Mr Fraser’s place would have been in flames, ths seat of the Are being at tbs side of a shed situated among a lot of other wooden buildings, and adjoining that occupied by Mr Fraser and family. The fire being diecovered so soon, it was easily extinguished. Topping was arrested and brought before the Court yesterday morning, the oass being remanded until this morning. Mr Rees arrived from Auckland yesterday and, It la believed, will defend the prisoner Topping,