MARLBOROUGH.

Bruce Herald, Volume III, Issue 73, 31 August 1865, Page 9

MARLBOROUGH.

The most indescribable alarm was felt yesterday morning* by a number of residents at the centre and lower end of thetown, when dense volumes of sinoke wereseen to issue from the gunpowder magazine situated within the precincts of theGovernment buildings. Those, who > wereproceeding in that direction remained stationary or retreated to a greater distance from the . threatened " danger, while the residents near the Waitohi bridge looked on in trembling alarm, not knowing what moment the magazine, together with theGovernment buildings, might be blown into space. Mr Cavvte, the governor of the gaol, despatched one of the officers to give ,che alarm, and for a time there was great terror and much confusion. It was,, however, .shortly ascertained that the gunpowder had been removed from the magazine, which had been discovered by Captain Baillie to lie so damp as to have completely destroyed a large quantity ''of 'gunpowder, together' with"" many thousands of rounds of ball cartridge. - The smoke which had created such unwonted dread was caused, by a fire having, been , ignited: to dry the building. While on the. subjective cannot avoid giving expression to the g eneral feeling that the present magazine is most dangerously situated^as, should- the gunpowder by an.y mischance become ignited, the whole', of the Government buildings would be blown into the air and every life inside sacrificed. There were, previous tothe removal of the gunpowder, nearly onehundred barrels in store,' — * Press.'