SUSPICIOUS FIRES IN THE MANAWATU.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 998, 17 April 1891, Page 35

SUSPICIOUS FIRES IN THE MANAWATU.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. ) Palmerston North, April 13. Last evening shortly after 10 o’clock a fire was discovered in the stables behind the shop of Mr R. Bryant, butcher, at the western corner of the Square, and it appears to be doubtful whether there had been an attempt at incendiarism or some tramp had obtained access to the premises and accidentally caused what might have been a serious conflagration, as there was a high wind blowing at the time. On the fire beiog discovered by one of Mr Bryant’s men who lives on the premises, as does also Mr Bryant himself, it was found that some paper and sacking lying on the bottom of a manger were just breaking out into flames, a lighted candle being propped up in the midst. Fortunately all danger was averted by the application of a few buckets of water, and tho services of the Fire Brigade, whose station is only three doors off, were not required. Mr Bryant had passed the Bpot only a few minutes before the arrival of his man, and all appeared then to be safe. Closely following upon the above three of the land piles supporting the approach to the fine bridge which crosses the Manawata river from Palmerfton North to Fitzheibert, were about 6 o’clock this morning

discovered by Mr J. C. Nathan to be on fire at this end. The fire had apparently burnt for some time, as two of the piles, each about Bft long, are destroyed, and the third is very much charred. Mr Nathan promptly extinguished the flames, and thus averted what, had the bridge, a coßtly structure, been demolished, would have been little shore of a calamity to the district, as almost all communication with Fitzherbert, and in faot all the roads on that side of the river from the Gorge southward would have been out off. The origin of the fire is unknown, but it is attributed to the careless handling of matches by Sunday evening idlers.

A very strong gale has been blowing all day from the westward, and shows no sign of moderating. Tho barometer reads 29 - 75 with a downward tendency, and there is every appearance of rain coming before many hours elapse. Mr McKinnon, of the North German Office, deputed by the Wellington Underwriters’ Association, has to-day been engaged iu an enquiry into Saturday’s fire, and has also made an inspection of the various blocks in tho Square, brigade appliances, &c., &o.