STOCK WASTED.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 17, 31 October 1938, Page 6

STOCK WASTED.

AUCKLAND INCENDIARY FIRESTATE OF CHAOS CREATED. (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, October 30. A determined attempt at incendiarism was frustrated by a prompt warning of fire given by the automatic alarm system installed in the factory of S. J. Best and Co., Ltd., an old-establish-ed firm of paint manufacturers in Airedale Street, city, early on Satuday evening. The damage from fire was relatively slight, but as the result of the tops of several score of paint and varnish vats and turpentine containers being turned o'n, there has been a wastage of stock estimated at fully- £IOOO. The fire warning was transmitted through the automatic system to the Central Fire Station shortly after 7 o’clock. Two machines were dispatched and the outbreak was found to be centred in the basement below the street level.

Although the flames were fierce, the outbreak was speedily suppressed. Subsequent examination showed the building to be in a state of chaos. Til the paint, grindery and mixing room on the first floor 15 vats containing mixed paint had been allowed to empty over tile floor, 400 to 500 gallons being wasted.

[n the basement, the control valve of a large turpentine tank had also been opened, together with the taps on a score or more of large containers in which varnish was stored, and 500 gallons of varnish were spread about the floor, v

The managing-director of the company (Mr R. D. Mossman) said to-day that it was impossible to obtain an accurate estimate of the damage, but it would amount to at least £IOOO. Ho was at a loss to understand the motives for such wanton action, and it was the intention of the company to offer a reward for information which would lead to the conviction of the ineendiarist.