ATTEMPTED INCENDIARISM.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1231, 22 December 1882, Page 2

ATTEMPTED INCENDIARISM.

A most dastardly, but fortunately for the whole town, unsuccessful attempt was made last night between 9 and 10 o’clock to set fire to Parnell and Boylan’s Hall. It appears that Mr Thornton was somewhat late in going to the hall to finish some work, and whilst there young Donald Ross came in by the back-door, and was shortly afterwards followed by his elder brother. Mr Thornton was sorting some of the dresses to be used in the burlesque of Aladdin at the back of the scenes, and asked Donald Ross to go into the body of the hall to get a cap which was on the piano. The lad went as requested, and noticed that there was a light under the stage, He called out, and then Mr Thornton came and looked. He at once took steps to prevent a conflagration, and descended. He there found that some fire fiend had placed two lighted candles on the girder alongside two of the joists, and alongside of each a large box of matches. Of course Mr Thornton soon extinguished them, and took steps to prevent any danger. The joists were blackened and the flooring charred. The mode adopted appears to be u strange one, but there seems to be a probability that it was done in such a manner that the would-be incendiary might make good his escape before the fire was noticed, for before the candle burned down until the matches became ignited he could have been some distance away. The night watchman and Constable Walsh kept strict watch all night, but nothing was discovered. Had Mr Thornton not been in the hall last night the building would have been in flames, and as there was a nor’-west wind blowing the greater portion of the town would have been destroyed. It seems strange that two attempts should have been made on property owned by this firm. The first, it will be remembered, was in connection with the drapery establishment last summer.