Manawatu Evening Standard. Circulation, 3,500 Copies Daily. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 1910. AN EVENTFUL EVENING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9183, 6 April 1910, Page 4

Manawatu Evening Standard. Circulation, 3,500 Copies Daily. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 1910. AN EVENTFUL EVENING.

Palmerston had a sensational experience last night, and one that nobody desires a repetition of. Three large fires, occurring within the short space of as many hours, threw the town into a state of intense excitement while the conflagrations were actually in progress, followed by nervous apprehension as to what would next happen in the chain of events. From a public point of view the reduction of two-

thirds of tho High School building to

a heap of smoking ruins is nothing short of a disaster, and amongst tho

great crowd of spectators who watched the school's destruction last night many expressions of sympathy with the authorities and others affected were

heard,. The Board of Governors will be faced with a heavy deficit when they come to reinstate the building, but the energy and resourcefulness which is characteristic of Palmerston's

public men will not desert them in their time of need, and we are sure the regrets of the public will be sup-

ported in a very practical way, should the Government fail to provide all the money required for reinstatement. The strange thing about all the fires was the firm hold the flames had obtained before discovery. In each case the Fire Brigade were faced with a

difficult task, but the Brigade must be given every credit for the splendid manner in which they coped with the devouring element. The drain on the water-supply—excellent as the pressure is at normal times—made itself very apparent at the second outbreak, and the fire-fighters were much handicapped thereby. In the end, however,

their efforts succeeded, and the flames were suppressed. The Brigade's services on an occasion fraught with so much danger to the town cannot be too widely recognised or too highly praised. Regarded as a whole the events of last night hear an ugly complexion. The direct evidence of incendiarism leaves no room for doubt that the outbreaks were not accidental. In

many people's minds they are associated with the escapee from custody who is known to be at large in the district; but there is nothing definitely connecting him with the affair. For the present it is enough to urge the necessity of the iitmost vigilance on the part of both police and public. Many business men were eo much impressed by last night's occurrences that they remained on their premises all night or engaged extra watchmen, and generally wo believe the situation is appreciated. The exciting experiences to which the town has been subjected show how much it is at the mercy of fire, and recognition of the comparatively helplessness of human effort should tend to engender the greatest carefulness amongst the citizens.