STILL AT WORK

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 265, 5 August 1929, Page 12

STILL AT WORK

INCENDIARISTS CAUSE ALARM POLICE FORCE TO BE INCREASED COMMISSIONER ON THE SPOT Dominion Special Service. Christchurch, August 3. Further work of an incendiarist apparently was discovered in the city last evening. About 6 o’clock a box containing paper and rags in a passage in the Combined Buyers’ Building, 134 Oxford Terrace, was found to be ablaze. A typiste, the only person in the Combined Buyers’ Buildings, saw smoke in the passage. Investigating, she was surprised and alarmed to see that the contents of the box were alight. Mr. V. A Norrish, manager of the Merchants’ and Traders’ Agency, came in just then. He was informed of the fire by the typiste and all danger was removed. There was a workman's ladder resting in an alleyway and reaching up past a window in a room that opens from the passage which is on the first floor. It is believed that an incendiarist may have climbed up the ladder and entered the window, which was open. Mr. W. B. Mcllveney, Commissioner of Police, arrived in Christchurch from Wellington this morning and will spend a few days in the city. It is Mr. McIlveney’s intention to make a personal investigation regarding the incendiary fires in Christchurch and to make special arrangements in connection with police- protection. When asked if he wished to make any observations concerning the wave of crime in the city, Mr. Mcllveney said that at present he had "nothing to say. It will be recalled that a few years ago when there ,vas a crime wave in Auckland city Mr. Mcllveney made a special visit to Auckland for the purpose of taking the matter in hand. As a result of his mission the police force in Auckland was considerably strengthened and there was a marked diminution in the number of crimes in the northern city. Police Inspector S. Rawle, of Wellington, also arrived in Christchurch this morning. It is understood that his visit is in connection with the incendiary fires and burglaries in the city. It is learned unofficially that the police force in the city may be strengthened considerably within the next few days to cope with the demands made on the men owing to the activities of the incendiaries. It is understood that members of the force in southern centres are to be drafted for service in Christchurch until the present state of unrest is over. Accommodation is being arranged for at the city police station. Many of the commercial firms and business houses have engaged watchmen to guard their premises over the week-end, while some already employing night watchmen have increased the numbers as an added precaution.