I; would be impos sible for the wood to bmoulder all night. Id was not possible for sotim and piper to smoulder on the wall for any length of time. [The witueu here net I'na to a piece of the eeiitn and paper, wlilci> burnt readily, bat did not smonlder J Mrs Pileher said that she was Rt Di Finlktier'a paddeck on the fhb when H c fire began. She thought tht>t tho fin might have been caused by the draiiKh from the ntove carrying a spark inio ti t. ; bedroom. Tbeto were a bedstead ami. «bme boxes all packed. They boimicd in !.i ; ; be nicely packed. Tfcu wus oh th- Friday. Emily told tiergeunt Mkclieii

that she had pulled the boxes ont by her- I self. Witness estimated the valne of the house as it stood at £25, but it could not be reinstated for less than £45 or £50. If the honse were bought tour years ago lor £55 the land and the house would be of about equal values. Alfred James Mitchell, police sergeant, deposed tint on the af cernoon of the 13th Instant lia went to Pilcber's bouse with Fire Inspector Toog. Had heatd that there had becu a lir.i there, and sent Constable Gwdon. tn m.- ke inquiries. In conscience ot wlnt tie constable said, witness wtnt tht-rn liim-plf ia the after* noon, and ou lelljut- Mra I'iicber why they had come, Bhe said sin- hoped they did not think that she had Bet lire to it. It wasn't] as though it was a rented place. If they had wanted to do that they could havo doße it at the beainniog. Witness went into the bedroom, and on examining the lining there weie very distinct traceß on the three walls of where fires had been, more particularly under the window and In the corner behind the door. There ivere many gaps between the lining hoards, and the fire had come in contact with the front of the boards only. There was every indication of three or four distinct lires. Opened the lids of some boxes standing io. tho rrom and found that they were carefully picked with clothing and other boxes. Mrs Pilcher and Emily were present. 