SERIES OF FIRES

Hokitika Guardian, 24 October 1928, Page 7

SERIES OF FIRES

ALARM’ IN PAPATOETOE

THREAT TO BURN DRAPERY STORE.

AUCKLAND, October 22

In less than three months there have been eleven serious outbreaks of fire in the Pnpatoetoo town district. It is believed in some quarters that these fires have not all been accidental, and incendiarism is suspected. The womenfolk of the district have become alarmed, and some of them are afraid to go out at night. The latest sensation is the fact Undone resident, the owner of a store in Station road, the main street of Papatoe toe, has . received a threatening anonymous letter. One day last week Mrs A. Bullcn, who owns a drapery and fancy-goods store in Station road, received through the post a typewritten unsigned letter, felling'her tc lie prepared for fire, as her premises were next on the list to go up in flames. The writer of the letter went on to say that Mrs Billion’s premises were an eyesore to’the business part of the district and that they would he removed by fire. Naturally Mrs Bullen became alarmed, and lias been in a terrified state ever since. Her store is of wood and highly inflammable. Other women in the neighbourhood have also been alarmed.

The police have been making enquiries and are keeping a sharp lookout at night. Members of the Papa toetoe Fire Brigade have also been doing extra night duty. Recently the Papatoetoe Fire Brigade spent over £SOO on the purchase and equipment of a fire engine. This has been in fairly constant use during the last fe\v months. Yesterday afternoon a sixroomed house in the district was destroyed, and this fact has not helped to allay the fears of the women residents. . ’•