INCENDIARISM AT CHRISTCHURCH

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 266, 6 August 1929, Page 10

INCENDIARISM AT CHRISTCHURCH

REASSURING POLICE STATEMENT “NO NEED FOR PUBLIC ANXIETY” By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, August 5. A reassuring statement regarding the wave of incendiarism was made by the Commissioner of Police, Mr. W. B. Mcllveney, yesterday. “Within the next day or two the position will be so satisfactory from the police point of view that there will be no need for public anxiety,” stated the Commissioner. “The public can rest well assured that the police force In Christchurch is being organised on a systematic basis.” The Commissioner added that the force here had been substantially strengthened. He said that there was no present possibility of the police requiring the services of a vigilance committee drawn from civilians. INSURANCE ON OIL STORE Christchurch, August 5. The contents of Brown's petrol store in Carlyle Street were insured for £BOOO In the Royal Office. The salvage work had to be abandoned to-day owing to the danger of further explosions. THE BOATSHEDS FIRE Christchurch, August 5. An incident occurred between 10 and 10.30 on Saturday night which may have a possible bearing on the cause of the fire at the Montreal Street boatsheds earlier. At the larger boat-sheds, owned by J. H. Shaw, in Antigua Street, two men were seen J;o try the doors. A passer-by came along, and the men, who were well dressed, ran away and jumped into a motor-car waiting in Cambridge Terrace. A strict watch was maintained thereafter. ARMED PATROL AT SOCKBURN Christchurch, August 5. Owing to the fear of incendiarism, armed sentries now patrol nightly at the Wigram Aerodrome, where the equipment is valued at £200,000.