Suffragist Incendiarism

Rowing Boats Burned at Handsworth

It was found early yesterday morning that the boathouse in Victoria Park, Handsworth, and some of its contents had been partially burned; the outrage is attributed to the militant suffragists.

A few minutes after six Mr. Howard Thurston, who has charge of the boat-house, discovered the building full of smoke.  He immediately summoned assistance and an effort was made to extinguish the fire.  The police were subsequently informed, and in a short time the Handsworth contingent of the Fire Brigade were on the scene.  They quickly extinguished the flames.  An entrance had been obtained to the building through a small window, the glass of which had been broken and the catch removed.  Inside the boat-house was stored a number of rowing boats, and on the floor of the building was a box containing a number of cushions.  Over this some paraffin had been poured and a light applied, but the contents of the box only smouldered away, and the perpetrators failed to obtain the conflagration desired.  The heat which the fire caused, however, was responsible for  two boats being practically destroyed, while several others were badly charred.  The damage to the boat-house itself was only slight.  Two empty tins which had contained paraffin were found in the boat-house.  Near the building were discovered three flags of the colours of the Women's Social and Political Union and copies of a propagandist newspaper.  No arrest has been made in connection with the affair.