ATTEMPTED INCENDIARISM IN AUCKLAND

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 16, Issue 826, 27 September 1870, Page 2

ATTEMPTED INCENDIARISM IN AUCKLAND

The Evening Star, 24th September, says : " About 10 o'clock last night a diabolical attempt was made to burn down a house in Rutland-street, Auckland. It appears that about that hour a gentleman at a little distance saw a blaze suddenly flare up against the side of the store of Mr Duffy, and at the same time heard a man running off. A person passing kicked away the blazing substance, and the fire was extinguished by the timely application of a bucket of water from a neighboring hotel. The store had been closed, and the owner and his wife were taking a walk, but in the neighboring houses, which are all attached, several persons had gone to bed, one of them a very aged woman; and from the inflammable character of the buildings, the, success of the incendiary would almost surely have resulted in loss of life. We have seen a portion of the substance used to fire tne building, whioh has been picked up by a gentleman and brought to our office. It consists of pieces of paper, kauri gum, match boxes, and other substances, and all saturated with kero?ine. It is evident that the villainous preparations were carfully and judiciously made, and, being ignited, laid against the wall designedly. So far a.s we can find, malice seems to be the only motive for the attempt. It appears that Mr Duffy has been pressing some parties for payment of accounts due; and on more than one occasion threats have been used by persons that ' they would pay him.' It is believed the clue is found, and that a person suspected is the guilty party, and we have no doubt that in the hands of our detectives, the scoundrel will soon be brought to account.