“The Press” In 1864

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30535, 2 September 1964, Page 16

“The Press” In 1864

SEPTEMBER 2. FIRE IN COLOMBO STREET.—At about halfpast seven o’clock yesterday evening an alarm of fire was raised in Colombo street, near the Marketplace, and the firebell was heard calling the citizens from their firesides . . The building is of course much damaged, and the whole of the stock destroyed or greatly injured; but considering the nature of the goods—toys and fancy wares—with which it was densely crowded, and that all the buildings are of wood, it may be regarded as a feat of which our Fire Companies may justly* be proud to have confined the fire to one house. We are unable to learn how the fire originated. Mr Younghusband states that

two gentlemen came into his shop shortly before he closed who were smoking, and that they went to the back of the shop to use a pen and ink. There was no fire when he left, and the premises were locked up, no one living on them. This is the only guess he can make as to the origin of the fire. We hear that the stock was insured, but do not know to what amount It is to be hoped that a stone or brick building will replace the old tehement SUMNER BAR, On Wednesday afternoon as the Fawn, schooner, was entering the Heathcote she was set by the tide on the Spit, when she became a total wreck, after having been abandoned by her crew. We understand, however, that some portion of the cargo,

which consisted chiefly of sugar, will be saved. The value of the vessel and cargo has been estimated at about £3OOO. Another vessel, the Isabella Jackson, was also in great danger of meeting a similar fate by striking on the Bar, but we hear that she has since been got afloat again without having been very much damaged, and with only the loss of part of her cargo of coals, which were thrown overboard to lighten her. Mr Buck-’ ley’s motion In the Provincial Council last night was carried, and the sum of £5OO will consequently be placed on the estimates for the purpose of providing tidal signals and a pilot boat, which will doubtless tend to diminish the large annual loss that takes place at Sumner.