FIRE IN THE DOMAIN.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 142, 17 June 1901, Page 2

FIRE IN THE DOMAIN.

CONTACT HOSPITAL DESTROYED

The contact hospital, a portion of the buildings erected here when the plague was rampant in Sydney, was destroyed by fire on Saturday night. The hospital has been occupied by several visiting mounted corps during the Royal visit. The flrebells rang out the alarm at about 10.45 p.m., and the City. Eden Terrace and Parnell fire brigades, as well as the Salvage Corps, were soon on the scene, but as there -was no water supply in the vicinity, they could only look on while the fire burned itself out. The building was occupied by the Mongonui, Pukekohe and the Northern Wairoa Mounted Rifles, and at the time of the fire the men were at a social in Mrs. Sowerby's Hall, there bein^ only four men in the building. The fire commenced in the eastern wing. The lighting had been provided by candles stuck in the sockets of bayonets, and it is supposed that one of these dropped through, setting the straw on the floor alight. When the outbreak was noticed three of the men got out, two with blankets round them, while the fourth, Sergeant Matthews, was unable to reach the door owing to the flames. A window was smashed in with a rail, and through this! the sergeant climbed, cutting his hands severely in the process.

The three corps quartered in the tent are all heavy losers, the Mongonuis suffering- most; their loss, including a number of new rifles, totalling about. £70. About half the equipment was saved. About thirty rifles and six saddles were destroyed, besides personal property. Two of the Mongonuis, who had been entrusted with commissions by country friends, lost the articles purchased, one a fif-teen-guinea clarionette and a cornet, the other £50 worth of jewellery, etc.

The men quartered in town were instructed that there was to be no smoking in the buildings. Lieuten-ant-Colonel White, officer commanding the district, held a preliminary meeting last night, examining seven men. The sentry stated that he had passed through the place about two minutes before the- outbreak, when everything was apparently safe, but ou turning at the end of his line he saw the building in flames. Colonel White lias forwarded particulars to the Defence Office.