THE CHRISTCHURCH FIRES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 49, 17 February 1908, Page 2

THE CHRISTCHURCH FIRES.

Per Press Association. Christeliureh, Last Night. The various iucipieut lire* discovered in Christehureh on Thursday evening eaused a great deal of alarm amongst people in the city, and stringent measures were taken to guard their premise*. Yesterday Sergeant Burrow* detained a half-caste who was believed to be concerned in the outbreak at the rear of '.Mr. Andrews' shop. It was stated that this mail visited Mr. Andrew*' shop and asked for some matches just prior to the lire occurring in the A 1 Hotel right-of-way. Mr. Andrews identified the man, but as the police had not sufficient evidence to connect him with the lire he was allowed his lil)erty. The police are inclined -to the opinion that the incendiary in a maniac or some irresponsible youth who •wants to witness a fire similar to the one which ruined a number of "business premises last week. It is stated that the tire which destroyed several large business premises about a week ago had its origin inside n door abutting on to ! a right-of-way, ami since, then scarcely 1 j a night has passed without the brigade I being called out. This is, perhaps, a I coincidence, as the circumstances connected with the fires which occurred heI tween Thursday week and last Thnrs- ! day do not give rise to the suspicion of