FIRE RAISING SUSPECTED

Evening Star, Issue 22574, 16 February 1937, Page 4

FIRE RAISING SUSPECTED

MANY OUTBREAKS IN DISTRICT [Peb United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, February 15. Suspicious fires which have occurred' in the Howick district have been engaging the attention of the Auckland police recently. It is the belief of many (residents that an incendianst lives in the neighbourhood. The last outbreak, which can be directly traced to incendiarism, occurred at the Howick School shortly after 9 o’clock on the night of January 31, but fortunately little damage was done. Less than a fortnight before a cottage that had been unoccupied for many years was burned to the ground, _ and the circumstances surrounding this fire are regarded as highly suspicious by local residents. Not long ago an unoccupied blacksmith’s shop in Moore street was partly destroyed, only good work by the local fire brigade preventing a total loss. The Roman Catholic Church Hall in Main street was also damaged, but as a sale of work had been held during the evening it cannot definitely be said that the fire was caused maliciously. Some time before this a lawn tennis pavilion was deliberately set on fire, but the brigade again effected a good save. A two-storied wooden building in the older part of the township, and for some time unoccupied, was also burned to the ground.