TEN FALSE FIRE ALARMS

Taranaki Daily News, 22 November 1930, Page 7

TEN FALSE FIRE ALARMS

AUCKLAND BRIGADE DECEIVED. EFFORTS TO CATCH OFFENDER. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Nov. 21. Ten false fire Alarms were,given in the city last night in two and a half hours and the central brigade was in duty- bound to answer every one. The individual responsible showed considerable daring. . . After the second call the brigade informed the police, and all constables were instructed to keep a look-out. A constable at one corner -waited in W" ino-, hoping to catch the miscreant. An inspection 0 showed that the glass of a box nearby had been broken, At 10.3 p.m- an alarm was given from a box close to the Town Hall, where many cars and trams were waiting. It is believed that lead yas used to deaden ■the sound of breaking glass. _ On Tuesday night the brigade received four false alarms and the Mt. Eden brigade also received four tlpp .week." It is recalled that a few years ago the Devonport brigade, answering a false alarm, crashed into a post, killing the deputy-superintendent, nmiinmg a constable and injuring three firemen. /,„ ■ /

WAITING POLICE ARREST MAN.

FALSE ALARM TO CITY BRIGADE

Auckland, Last. Night. As a sequel to a false alarm green to the City Fire Brigade at eight o clock to-night the police arrested a man, aged 28, in Symonds Street, Following the series of false alarms in the inner City area last .evening special measures were taken by the police to-nighL a large number of plain-clothes men being stationed in the vicinity of boxes. Shortly before eight oclock B man was seen to walk down the lefthand side of Symonds Street towards the city. As he walked swiftly past the fire alarm box he was seen to slip out his hand and break the box. Although his hand was wrapped-in a handkerchief it was slightly ,cut. the man then swiftly recrossed the road. The man’s movements nad been observed by Constable McElhiuney, who was hiding ip plain clothes behind a fence a -few yards away. The constable promptly made the arrest, lhe city brigade answered the call as the aires was being effected.