IN THE NICK OF TIME.

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19463, 31 December 1934, Page 7

IN THE NICK OF TIME.

ROTORUA HALL SAVED. ATTEMPT AT INCENDIARISM. SATURATED WITH KEROSENE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) ROTORUA, Monday. An attempt, fortunately frus- , trated in the nick of time, was made last evening to burn down the Rltz Hall. When the lessee arrived at the hall at about 11.15 ip.m. to open up for a midnight dance he found- the underneath portion -of the orchestral stage ablaze while portions of the floor were also burning.

The outbreak was promptly quelle'd by members of the orchestra, but not before superficial damage had been done to the stage, portions of the floor, and gome of the decprations. *

An investigation showed conclusively that .considerable quantities of kerosene ha : d. been poured on the floor, while paper, also soaked in kerosene, had been placed under the orchestra platform- This is -oif very light inflammable material, and had the members of the orchestra not arrived the outbreak would quickly have assumed very serious proportions. The fire must have been started 'only a few minutes previously as it had just 'eommenccd to secure a hold when discovered.

It is significant that two keys of the door 'disappeared a week ago and have not been seen since. The intruder apparently was -set on. damaging the dance floor and the orchestral rostrum as particular attention was given to these. The police are investigating. ■