FIRES ON STEAMER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 36, 13 February 1939, Page 8

FIRES ON STEAMER

BELIEVED TO BE WORK OF I.R.A. BOMB THROWN AT POWER STATION Received Feb. 12, 8 p.m, LONDON, Feb. 11. . Three fires, believed to be the work of the I.R.A. broke out on the steamer St. David, after its arrival at Fishguard, bringing 1000 Irish passengers, most of whom attended the Rugby international. Fire balloons, containing nitric acid, ignited magnesium flash powder placed under seats in the third-class saloon. Detectives searched all passengers before the departure of the trains for i London. The search was renewed at | Paddington, where seven, including a 'woman, were detained. After a reported I.R.A. threat., troops are guarding Clochester bar- ' racks. Detectives say that there is nothing al the moment to show that the I.R.A. are connected with a tire ; which gutted Manchester’s largest live-storey one-acre department store after closing. Detectives arc invesli gating a story of explosions heard. A bomb fashioned from a cocoa tin and thrown over a wall at the Portsmouth power station, missed the vital plant and exploded without damage. ■. ATTEMPT ON RAILWAY LINE ■ i (Independent Cable Service.) Received Feb. 12, 9 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 12. What i.s believed to have been an attempt to blow up the main northern railway line between Darlington and Newcastle was frustrated by an unemployed miner, who saw two men behaving suspiciously and gave the alarm. A box of gunpowder was found on the line. JEWELLERY FOUND | ARRESTED OFFICIAL IN FRANCE Received Feb. 12, 7.30 p.m. ' PERPIGNAN, Feb.' 11. The police have arrested Major Pedro Sola Ruiz, a member of the republican army, on a charge of irregular entry into France and the fraudulent introduction of jewellery. An alleged valise in his possession contained diamond - studded earrings, ! platinum brooches, gold watches,• rings, bracelets, and 1,000,000 pesetas! in bank notes Ruiz declared he I found the jewellery and bank notes in 1 a secret hiding place when Figueras ! citadel was blown up.