SUSPICIOUS FIRE AT NEW PLYMOUTH

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2856, 22 August 1916, Page 7

SUSPICIOUS FIRE AT NEW PLYMOUTH

BOYS' HIGH SCHOOL PARTLY DESTROYED. By Telegraph—Press Association. New Plymouth, August 21. A fire, which was accompanied by suspicious circumstances, ocourred early this morning, when most of the classrooms sof the Boys' High School were destroyed. It had a good hold when discovered, and a high wind was blowing-.' The fire brigade rendered good service, saving the headmaster's house and the boarding establishment. A proviqus' attempt had evidently been made to destroy the promises, and the watch was redoubled. The police are investigating the previous attempt. Many valuable _ records were lost. The fire originated in the gymnasium. This and the class-rooms on the southern sides were completely destroyed. The scholars lost their books, and the headmaster his also. The insurances total £3900—school buildings, £2750 (Standard £1475, Atlas £250 New ](md £1025) . appara _ /o?' f (Standard); furniture, £200 (Standajd £100, British Dominions Srin ; n ey ? uasium £800 (Phoenix £400, Guardian £400). ®losely 011 the destruction of the Theatre Royal block, the lire indicates that an ineendiarisb is ilr our midst. - ■ BED FACTORY- DESTROYED. By Tolograplv-Prcss Association. at t> -n Auckland, August 21. Mr. R. Francis s bed factory at Pollsflnby was destroyed by fire early this i s*. T k e loss, is estimated at £600, which is partly coverod by Infiuranco. *