ATIEMPTED INCENDIARISM.

Otago Witness, Issue 1911, 6 July 1888, Page 22

AT IEM PTED INCENDIARISM.

Chuistchukch, June 28.

Unsuccessful attempts were made early on the 28th uP. to burn the police stationsat Phillipstown and Woolston, tuburbs of Christchurch. At the n>:>t station gorse and dry sticks weie put under the building and set on firo about 5 o'clock. At Woolbton a fire of gorse sticks and ci al wns lighted against the lock-up a about 230 o'clock Larrikinism has been prtvalunfc in both districts lately. Both fires were fortunately discovered before much damage was dove.

It is supposed that the attempts to burn the Woolston and Phillipstown stations were the work of the same parties. The stations are both on the Ferry road, nearly two miles apart. The Woolstoa station was discovered to be on fire nt 3.20 a.m. by a woman sleeping in the next house, who heard the crackling of the flames. Constable Johnston and neighbours extinguished the flames after a portion of the wall had been burned. The building is leased by the GovernoiMit, aud insured iu 1 the Union office. The Phillipstown station is Government property, and uninsured. It is in charge of Constable P. M'Gill, whose son, a telegraph messenger, found the fire under the lock-up on returning from werk at 5 a.m. The flames were extinguished before much damage was done. In both instances dry gorse and sticks had been pushed under the buildings and set on fire.

July 2. It has been ascertained that the fires were lighted by a lunatic named William Allison, who was this afternoon committed to the asylum.