SUSPICIOUS FIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16823, 13 April 1918, Page 8

SUSPICIOUS FIRE.

MINING TOWNSHIP'S TROUBLE FULL INQUIRY DESIRED. [BY TELEGRAPH.— CORRESPOXDEiT,] WELLINGTON. Frid*7. Recent: events in the mining township of Runanga, near Greymouth, were discussed by a deputation that interviewed the Minister for Justice this morning. The deputation, which was headed by Mr. J.O'Brien, was introduced by Mr. A. Walker, member for Dunedin North. Mr., O'Brien said that he had been delegated by a public meeting held in Runanga to demand an inquiry into the origin of a Are that had occurred at Runanga recently. on the grounds, that false insinuations had been spread broadcast regarding certain citizens of the town. A house, owned by a Mrs. Y. Kyle, and occupied by her. two sons, had been destroyed by fire, and ii was alleged that there was evidence of incendiarism. This happened at the tune when the coal-miners were' on strike .Ofing' to tho refusal of 20 members of thentifon .. to pay the Australian strike levy. A»repoit had been spread abroad that the fire nad, been the work of members of the 1.W.W." organisation and an attempt had been made to connect the Miners' Union with the matter. The 20 men who had.refused to pay the strike levy had then made representations to the authorities that they were * in. danger, and they had been grasted permission _ by the police to carry revolvers & for their protection. The representative of the strikers added that the 20 men had since carried revolvers, and there was ;;V much feeling on the subject in the Runa- f? nga district. ' ';»; The Minister said that he had received # no information from his officers on the points mentioned, but ho would have caret ful inquiries made regarding the issue of S: permits to carry revolvers to the men.who- ' had claimed that their property wis inwi danger. He could not say whether ia>J inquiry would bo held concerning the firo v; until he had received 8, report from W% officers ;S?