ATTEMPT TO BLOW UP AN HOTEL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 810, 5 March 1910, Page 3

ATTEMPT TO BLOW UP AN HOTEL.

Wanganui, Yesterday

A deliberate attempt was made on Wednesday morning to blow up the Upokongaro Hotel. Two charges of gelignite were fired which shattered every window in the hotel, but fortunately did no harm to the building itself beyond cracking a few timbers. A little nephew of Mr H. Tyson’s was sleeping in a bed under one of the shattered windows and was literally covered - with splintered glass, but escaped without a scratch. Mr and Mrs Tyson and several boarders were thrown out of their beds by the shock. Detective Siddells is investigating the affair. Strong suspicion is attached to a man named Laurent, a Mexican half-caste, and the suspicion is strengthened by the finding on the ferry boat of his coat and vest, the pockets containing correspondence pointing to the suicide of the supposed perpetrator of the outrage. It is reported that Laurent had threatened the Tysons in consequence of some dispute over a cheque. The river is being dragged for the body. In view of the uncertainty as to Laurent’s fate, and the possibility that he might, if still alive, return to complete his revenge, the hotel is guarded by a policeman, Laurent has recently been engaged in bush work up-river. He is described as a man of sft nius in height, thin, clean shaved, with black hair, and about 35 yea rs of age.