INCENDIARISM IN CHRISTCHURCH

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 5 August 1929, Page 4

INCENDIARISM IN CHRISTCHURCH

ANOTHER ATTEMPT

(By Telegraph—Press Association)

CHRISTCHURCH, 3rd August. Only fortunate circumstances thwarted the endeavour of an incendiarist to burn down the premises of Adams, Ltd., High street, on Thursday night, when the big oil fire, which is still burning, broke out. Had the attempt succeeded the whole of the centre of the city would have been in danger. The iron grating over the door of the strong-room at the rear of the premises was wrenched off and a quantity of blazing paper thrown in, but fortunately the petrol stored there, which it was obviously intended to ignite, escaped the flames. The discovery of the attempt to destroy the place was not made till yesterday morning. Had there been any oil or inflammable liquid on the floor it would certainly have been ignited, and the resulting blaze might have spread dangerously. A REASSURING STATEMENT

CHRISTCHURCH, This .Day. A reassuring statement regarding*the wave of incendiarism was made by the Commissioner of Police, Mr Mcllveney, yesterday:—"Within the next day or two the position will be,so satisfactory from the police point of view that there will bo no need for public anxiety," stated the Commissioner., "The public can rest well assured that the police force in iChristchurch is being organised on a'systematic basis." The Commissioner added that the force here had been substantially strengthened. He said that there was 'no present possibility of the police requiring the services of a vigilance committee drawn from civilians.