INCENDIARISM IN VICTORIA.

Evening Post, Issue 54, 11 April 1865, Page 2

INCENDIARISM IN VICTORIA.

There is no doubt that of late the crime of incendiarism has been greatly on the increase. Almost every day we have to report a fresh outbreak of the kind. In the west the alarming prevalence of this the most dastardly of criminal offences, is attributed to the refusal of the squatters to give free quarters and " tucker " to the wandering swagmen as formerly. But arson lias also increased in the agricultural districts, from what cause is at present unknown. The last ca«e that has come under our-notice is from the Greenhills, near Kyneton, where, on Sunday evening, an attempt was made to set fire to the premises of Mr t James Laing, a farmer. " When first discovered," says the Guardian, " a large stack of straw, containing some forty or fifty tons was found to be on fire. The alarm was soon given, and a large number of neighbours arrived on the spot, and rendered every available assistance in endeavouring to keep the fire from reaching the barn, which was adjacent to the stack, and contained a large quantity of grain. Wet blankets, &c, were kept over the sides and roof ol the barn next the burning stack, but owing to the wells bving dry, and consequently having to fetch all the water from the creek, it several times caught fire, and was with .difficulty extinguished. '1 lie s:a<'k was entirely destroyed, but owing to the timely assi»tance. rendered we understand no further damage ha-, been sustained." Damage to the extent of £200 in value was done to the hay loft and stables of Messrs. Meigs and Andeison, contractors for the Weste.-u mails, on Monday evening, by fire. The horses were saved, mainly ov\ing to the exertions of the groom, and a small portion of the saddlery was removed without injury. — Melbourne Leader.