ROMAN CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL DESTROYED.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 302, 22 December 1898, Page 5

ROMAN CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL DESTROYED.

WELLINGTON*, Nov. 28. Shortly before nine o'clock this morning a fire broke out near the top j of the tower of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, in Hill-street, adjacent to Parliamentary Buildings, and resulted in almost the complete destruction of the building. A painter had been at work on the exterior of the roof. The fire rapidly ascended to the top of the tower, which was soon completely enveloped in flames, which shot up thirty or forty feet above the building". Large rafters and beams fell with a loud crash, scattering burning- "brands, and smashing down the telegraph cable and wires, to the imminent danger of bystanders, who taxed all thevigilance of Commissioner Tunbridge and his staff of police in their eagerness to get near the building. In half an hour from the outbreak the tower was evidently doomed, and the firemen concentrated their efforts on the main portion of the building, which, however, was completely gutted.

The altai-, which was of marble, and cost about £ 500, aud the organ, which was valued at £600 to, £700, are ruined beyond repair. The massive pillars are still intact, and the thick walls comparatively uninjured. It is probable that the new cathedral-will be erected at the Te Aro end, where the population is more numerous than, at Thorndon, a smaller church. at the latter, district being sufficient for llie. cQßgregation. Of the £3300

insured by the New Zeaiand Company -C 5.00 was reinsured with the London and Lancashire. So far as is known there was no insurance on the organ. I he. total cost of the church and contents is approximately estimated ab £7500 and the building alone, which, was mainly constructed of totara, at £3000 to £4000. Among the articles saved were the greater part of the music, several seats, nearly all the statuary,' the register, communion plate, and the most costly vestments. The latter were recovered by the nuns.

The loss on the Cathedral is estimated at £4,000 above the insurances. Accusations are made as to laxity on the part of the fire brigade, of inadequate supply and pressure of water., j