A PLOT FOILED.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 November 1920, Page 2

A PLOT FOILED.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT. 1 ACBTBALIAN (is N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION j LONDON Nov 25. The Irish administration has published what it states are the contents'of captured Sinn Fein documents giving defined plans to destroy Liverpool dock gates and machinery by means of gelignite, also sketches for guidance of gangs, it being proposed to ignite warehouses to mask operations. Other do_ cuments give details with sketches for crippling the main power station in Manchester ,which is supplying a majority of the factories and trams. Thero also are reports of a spy who made a close inspection.

The publication adds that it was hoped if the dock gates were destroyed an outrush of water would cause widespread damage to shipping. The destruction of a power station in Stuart Street, Manchester would, according to the document,. paralyse Manchester, plan of campaign as regards Liverpool, was to cut telephones overpower dock police, op§n the gates and then demolish dock gate machinery by means of gelignite. It was estimated this would require twenty-three officers, twenty-sev en engineers, seventy-five rank and file, tho reparations to occupy three weeks and officers to reside in the vicinity. Schedules are published that contain a list of docks how to destroy them; the men required, how they are at present protected, how to deal with guards and how to approach. For example, Canada dock would bo allotted to ten men with a hundred pounds of gelignite. Attempts were made to calculate the time necessary to empty docks by such methods, and instructions were given as regards the most vulnerable portions of the machinery and how various parts could be best attacked. It is stated sketches were drawn of various dockyards, showing the method and material of construction, and what weight of explosive was required for each hinge. Jt was proposed to detonate charges electrically in order to mask the approach and escape of gangs. It was proposed to start fires in cotton and other warehouses half an hour ahead. A document published relating to Stuart Street, Manchester, tells how the station worked the hours and shifts < with a sketch plan showing positions of vulnerable machinery. For example, turbines and switchboards. It was proposed to cut telephones, overpower watchmen, and admit a motor bearing tools and also to round up the staff and workmen. These were detailed instructions, furnished with showing how each destruction party would proceed, tho number of men in each party, and what implements would be necessary. Another document gives the report of a. spy, who toured he wo'rks ono Sunday morning for an hour and a half. The same spy visited a vital pumping station at Claytonvale and sup plied a report thereon.

Tho Irish Government states further that a spy described an important power station of Manchester industry ard showed details as to how destruction parties 'ought to proceed. It, is also reported that some bombs were found behind a fire place in L!beity Hall, Dublin.