ALLEGED ATTEMPTED ARSON

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8100, 21 March 1906, Page 7

ALLEGED ATTEMPTED ARSON

JROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH PROPERTY ENDANGERED. Three attempts are alleged to have be3n made during the last few clays to destroy property belonging to the Roman Catholic Church iu Wellington. On Friday laat two young men transacting business iu St. Patrick's Hall, Boulcott Street, were startled by finding that a quantity of lighted iuHammablo matter bad been thrown into ouo of tbe rooms ever tne lower top of the sash. Fortunately they were able to extinguish the fire with little difficulty. Next day, during the absence of the clergy from the Presbytery iu Bouioott Street, it was found that an attempt had been made to set fire to tbe Presbytery building. At 6.15 on Saturday two Sisters of Mother Aubert'H Order saw a mac attempt to set fire to St. Joseph's Church, Buckle Street, by pulling away a board aud iuserting a quantity of inflammable material similar to that which had been throwu through the window at St. Patrick's Hall. The uiau afterwards ran off and concealed himself iu the servants' quarters iu au outbuilding of St. Patrick's College, whore he was discovered by a college employee named Matthews aud identified by the sisters as the man who was wanted. When asked his name the man made no reply, and appeared to be in a demented condition. He was banded over to Constable Mcintosh, who also failed to elicit any sign of speech from him.. On Sunday morning, at the Lambton Quay - Pclice Station, he appeared to have recovered his powers of speech. He gave his name as Christopher Wholan, and stated that be had been drinking heavily for some time. Aocording to his story, he was a recent arrival from Sydney, and had been employed by a well-known builder in tbe city. Yesterday afternoon Whelan, who is a single man, about 26 years of age, was brought before Dr A. MoArthar, H.M., and charged with having wilfully attempted to set Are to St. Joseph's Church. Snb-Inspeotor O'Donovan applied for a remand until this day week, in order to make further enquiries into the case, the man'B antecedents, and bis mental condition. The application was granted.— Post.