FIRES IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9119, 19 June 1908, Page 6

FIRES IN CHRISTCHURCH.

INCENDIARISM SUSPECTED. BY TELEGRAM. —I'KESS ASSOCIATION. CHRISTCHURCH, June 18. Incendiarism is suspected in connection with the fire at the Public Library. The act is suspected to have been that of a crank who is not by any means skilful. An attempt was made last evening to destroy a block of buildings in High street, standing next to Adams' Star Cy *le Company's premises. The shop ox Masters and, Son, tailors and mercers, was burned,out some months ago, and the salvage stock removed to the premises in question. A constable noticed a glare in the shop, and burst in the door, telling a passer-by to give the alarm. The constable found a heap of clothing on the counter on fire. Pulling it apart he found a piece of piping leading from a gas jet connected with it by a rub-' ber tubing. The gas was on, and there was a strong flame at the mouth of the pipe. The brigade checked the outbreak with a few buckets of water. The back-door, gate and a window were open, and a pane near the catch of the window was broken. The cash register was open, and a cheque and some silver were found near a pair of steps close to the window. Superintendent Smith says the attempt was the most deliberate he had ever seen.