CAULFIELD FIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 251, 23 October 1922, Page 5

CAULFIELD FIRE.

THE DESTROYED STANDS. INCENDIARISM SUSPECTED. BOMBS AND PETROL. MELBOURNE, October 2"2. At 4.10 a.m. on Saturday the members' stand, the Press room," the weighing room, and the judge's 'box at Caulfield racecourse were burnt to the ground. The fire is surrounded with mysterious circumstance*. The course watchman heard a series of what sounded like explosions, and running to thv> members' stand he found it ablaze from end to end. The judge's box in front was also aiblazo. The members' ftand. which included some of the racecourse offices, the weighing room. Fives room, and public telegraph ofrie*', wag doomed from the first. The fire brigades, which -were quickly on the ecene, confined their efforts to saving the other stands and offices. These wvrc »aved after great efforts, but the members' stand was burnt to the ground Investigations point to incendiarism. A resident near the coure reported that he distinctly heard explosions about the time of the outbreak. It is stated that traces of bombs were discovered among the ruins, also that petrol had beer freely used. Tracks of a motor car thai was heard in the vicinity shortly beforv the fire were traced leading from tht course. The fire threw the day's arrange ments all out of gear, but t«mporarv quarters for burnt-out officials and tele graphists were cxpeditiously made, and the meeting progressed, though necee sarily attended by much inconvenience The damage is estimated at £10,000 The police aru convinced that the fire ii the result of incendiarism. The club hai offered a reward of .€SOO for informatioi that will lead to the apprehension of thi perpetrators. One of the heaviest losers is thi caterer, who prepared the members' lun cheon overnight. It is estimated £1201 in the shape of victuals, linen, and glass ware went up in flames. Bookmaker: sufTe/ed much inconvenience, many los ing their bags, papers, and other pro erty. All gorta of makeshifts were adoptet by the club and others to supply th< deficiencies. Despite the drawbacks tin meeting passed off without any serioui hitch.—(A. and XX Cable.) BLAZE ON HOBART COURSE. HOBART, October 22. Early on Saturday morning a fir. destroyed the horse boxes at Northal j racecourse. Tlie totalizator house am I grandstand were narrowly saved by tin prompt action of a railway employe! who discovered the outbreak. Incen diarism is suspected.—(A. and X.Z.)