ALIEN SPIES PREY UPON INVENTOR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19241, 1 December 1930, Page 1

ALIEN SPIES PREY UPON INVENTOR.

BRITISH LABORATORY RANSACKED AND ROBBED

(United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) t LONDON, November 29. The Star” declares that detectives from Scotland Yard are investigating the extraordinary case of a young scientist who has invented a method of rendering aeroplanes fireproof. He is allegedly the victim of attacks by foreign emissaries in respect of his invention, which he perfected early this year.

Y\ hen news of his invention became known, he received inquiries from a certain eastern Power and later from European Powers and firms. He replied that he preferred to keep his invention for England.

While testing out apparatus connected with the fireproofing of a suit enabling the wearer to face the most intense heat, he noticed an unusual flame coming from the nozzle. He kicked it from his assistant’s hand, whereupon it exploded, blowing a large hole in the laboratory wall. Examination revealed that some foreign substance had been placed in the apparatus in order to wreck it. The laboratory drawers had been forced open and the locks broken. Since then, the scientist complainsj he has been shadowed, while attempts have been made to decoy him from home by means of fictitious telephone messages. Samples and notes have been stolen from his laboratory. He applied to Scotland Yard for permission to carry firearms on the ground that his life was endangered.

The “Star” learns that Scotland Yard have handed over the case to the special branch dealing with spies and aliens, which has several men under observa tion.