Suspicious Fires Cause Alarm

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 39, 16 February 1937, Page 10

Suspicious Fires Cause Alarm

INCENDIARISM SUSPECTED. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Last Night. Buspicious fires which have occurred in tho Jlowick district havo boon engaging the attention of tho Auckland police recently. It is the belief of many residents that an incendiarist lives in the neighbourhood. The last outbreak, which cun be directly traced to incendiarism, occurred at Howick School shortly after nine o'clock oi« the night of January 31. Fortunately little damage was done. Less than a fortnight before a cottago that had been unoccupied for many years, was burned to the ground. The circumstances surrounding this fire aro regarded as highly suspicious by local residents. Not long ago an unoccupied blacksmith’s shop in Moore street was partly destroyed. Good work by the local fire brigade prevented a total Joss. The Roman Catholic cburcli hall in Main street was damaged, but ob n sale of work had been hold during the evening, it cannot definitely bo said the fire was caused maliciously. Home time before this a tennis pavilion was deliberately set on fire, but tho brigade again effected a good save. A twostoreyed wooden building in the older part of tho township, and for some time unoccupied, was also burned to (he ground.