SCHOOL BURNED.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 September 1917, Page 4

SCHOOL BURNED.

SENSATION A L I) ISCEOSURES. Wam;axci, Sept 7 In connection with Queen’s Dark School, one of the principal State schools of the town, practically destroyed by fire at midday some sensational disclosures have since been marie in connection’ with the fire. From information gatl ered by the police, it appears that tires have occurred in other schools in Wanganui during the present week, ami incendiarism is suspected. The first school to be attacked was that, on Victoria Avenue. It appears that at 6 p.m. on Monday last, when the charwoman left, everything was in order. On returning at four o’clock on Tuesday, however, on entering one of the rooms she found that it had been ransacked. The drawers in the master’s tabic had been forced open, and lockers had been entered. The contents had been placed on top of the table and set fire to, the charred remains being found. On entering a second room the same state of affairs existed, while in a third room the contents of drawers and lockers had been placed in the centre of the floor and set alight. Fortunately no further damage was done, save charring the woodwork. On the following day, when a visit was paid to Miss O’Brien’s infant school near St John’s Mill, the gas ring in one room was discovered alight and burning briskly. How long it had been burning no one knows, but it was certain that it had been sot alight after the school had broken up for a week’s holiday. ’ The police have the matters in hand, and full inquiry is being made.