DARING ATTEMPTED INCENDIARISM IN AUCKLAND.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1839, 13 June 1874, Page 3

DARING ATTEMPTED INCENDIARISM IN AUCKLAND.

A most daring attempt at incendiarism was made last night, at ten minutes to 10 o'clock, by which the large block of brick buildings, known as Hobson's Buildings, at the foot of Shortland-strect, was endangered. At the time mentioned a glare of light was noticed through the chink between the bottom of the door and the door sill of that portion of the premises occupied by Messrs Must_ and Co. An alarm of fire was at once given, the fire-bell rang out an alarm, and in a short time a number of persons were on the spot. An axe was procured from Mr John Darby, of the Commercial Hotel, and Mr -Robert Melvillo, a shipwright, speedily effected an entrance by knocking in the lower panel of the front door. Mr P. Dorau and Mr James Butterwortk, the latter of the Volunteer Fire Brigade, immediately on entering took off their coats, and beat out the flames with them. Their garments were, of course, destroyed. After this the fire, was observed to be burning in the cellar bolow, the flames were seen through the small seams between the flooring and the edge of the door sill. A few bucketsfull of water, judiciously applied, speedily extinguished the fire. There was observed a strong smell of kerosene, and a gentlemen connected with the Daily Southern Cross office found inside the Joor a portion of a newspaper saturated with tbat inflammable fluid, though still unconsuraed. This piece of paper had apparently been carefully folded up, was thoroughly saturated with kerosene, and on examination afterwards was found to be a portion of the -livening Star of Wednesday. A youth, named Alexander ' Brown, who is a son of Mr Samuel Brown, tho owner of considerable property in the vicinity, was the first to give the alarm, and made the following statement to one of our reporters, who interviewed him:-"! was passing up Short- , land-street yesterday evening, and when , near the Koyil Insurance Company's s office, my attention was attracted by i seeing a man kneel down at tho I'ront . door of tho building, and ignite a match i under cover of his hat. Immediately - afterwards I saw a flame shoot from , under the door, and the man ran down t towards Queon-stroet, passing within . two [yards of me, On seeing mo ho t increased his pice, and r was so exoitod . ftfc tho, time, thaj; l could do nothing to

arrest his progress, but simply give tho alarm of fire. From the hasty glance I caught of him he appeared to ho from 20 to 22 years of ago, aud was dressed in a long-tailed coat and tweed trousers, and of a respectable appearance. On looking in at the door I perceived a strong smell •ofkcrosDuo, but by this time other persons had assembled. lam not certain whether I would be able to recognise the man again. In tho state of confusion I was thrown into by the discovery, I was unable to remark any particulars sufficiently well to point the man out by description,:but if brought face to face with him I am almost positive I could identify him." A messenger employed in tho General Post Office named J. B. Kellyon states that he saw a man answering the description of the incendiary given above rushing up Port-street after turning tho angle of that street and Queen-street.— Gross.