FIRE AT THE ROYAL ARTILLERY STABLES.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XIX, Issue 1782, 6 April 1863, Page 9

FIRE AT THE ROYAL ARTILLERY STABLES.

Last evening, shortly before eight o'clock, the inhabitants of Auckland were again startled by the glare of a fire. The fire bells were rung, and the bugles sounded the alarm to the military. It was unnecessary to inquire which way to proceed to the burning, as the lurid flanies shot up into the air, at the rear of , Albert Barracks, in which direction a stream of people hurried. Upon arrival thore, the fire was discoveredtoberagingintho sheds usedby theßoyal Artillery as forage barn and saddle rooms, on the easterly side"of the stablos, and overlooking Grafton-road. Therd was a large quantity of hay and straw in the forage barn, and a quantity of corn had only been stored therein during the course of yesterday.' Immediately upon the bugles sounding, the soldiery mustered in strong force, and wero quickly at the scene of the, conflagration, when every effort to save as much property as possible' was made". The saddles and other horse trappings werq, carried away, likewise a case of 241b* live • shells. The ammunition . waggons i wore quickly i. removed, and thp horses irom the 'stablos in front were also led > to 'a placo of safety on Symonds-street.' This having boon effected, an ( attempt* was then, mado to pull down one of the saddle rooms, which was suc-l 'cessivbly.'carried put, a , few men' being ]$$%{ Txruisocl. Every piece of inflammable material that could bo got out was removed to a safe

distance, and th,e fire /was thus, confined r tcKtlio building in which it liad originated. About twenty minutes after the discovei'y of 'the flro a fire ' engine arrived upon' the < ground — tho JN"o. 2 city engine, but water could not be obtained for some time. • At' length a quantity was fetched in water carts from the Domain spring. Before, however, the engine could bo brought to play upon the fire all danger of its spreading had cea&ecl ; the smouldering embers of the timber, hay, and corn, alone ingThe judicious arrangements of Capt. Mercer, with those uuder his command, and tho willing and hearty manner in which the soldiers worked, contributed materially in removing any fear of the fire extending. Before half-past nine o'clock had arrived all danger had passed away. Wo also noticed on the spot Col. Leslie, 1 C.8., Col. Gamble, and other officers connected with the military in gaiTison. We have not learned how the fire originated. The forage' store 'had not been open for some hours previous to the burning.—" Daily Southern Cross," March 14.