ATTEMPTED INCENDIARISM AT ASHBURTON.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3787, 27 May 1885, Page 2

ATTEMPTED INCENDIARISM AT ASHBURTON.

What appears to have been a determined attempt at incendiarism was discovered and defeated on Sunday afternoon. About 4.45 p.m. two men had occasion to go to the back door of Mr Salek’s shop in East street. Their attention was attracted by a light appearing through the iron of the next building, occupied by Mr Oarson. On closer examination they discovered a candle burning between the iron siding and the lining of the building. One of the men remained to watch the candle while the other summoned the police. Constable Smart was soon on the scene, and sent for Sergeant Felton. The police officers then made a closer examination, and found that the iron bad been cut six inches across by about three deep, forming an aperture through which the candle had been placed in position. Three pieces of bagging saturated with kerosene were found near the candle, and a second caudle, which had evidently fallen and extinguished itself, was found near the first. The burning candle bad a narrow strip of bagging about three inches wide and saturated with kerosene loosely wrapped about it, and this would bare ignited in about an boar an a-hnlf later but for the timely discovery. Had the nefarious attempt been successful nothing could have averted the destruction of a very large block of buildings and the loss of much valuable property. Mr Salek was absent from home on a visit to Tiraaru, and Mr Carson occupies a private residence detached from the shop. The police are thoroughly investigating tbe matter, but at present the result of their enquiries has not transpired.