ANOTHER FIRE. THE MUSIC-HALL BURNED DOWN.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVII, Issue 4198, 27 January 1871, Page 2

ANOTHER FIRE. THE MUSIC-HALL BURNED DOWN.

It is again our painful dufcy to chronicle another destructive fire fchis morniog. This, week, hag been most fruitful of fires, and in each case they have occurred under circumstances which leave little room to doubt that they %ere the work of incendiaries. About ten minutes to three o'clock this morning Mr. McComish, bandmaster, who kept} charge of the Music Hall, was awakened by a suffocating smoke. On getting up, h* observed the lean-to of the Music Hall, usually occupied by Mr. John Copland when entertainments are given, on fire. The fire had obtained a firm hold of i , and was breaking through the side-door leading ino the hall. He gave the alarm, and proceeded to save his family. His wife, two children, and his sister inlaw, were rescued. All his property, with the exception of a small box, was consumed — consisting of clothing, furniture, music, and musical The progress of the fire was so rapid that it was impossible to save anything. The Hall was built about three years ago at a cost of something like £1,500, and we understand the New Zealand Insurance Company has a risk of £1,400 upon tTi© building. The hall was detached from all .'other buildings, and seemed unlikely place to catch fire. Last night St. Paul's Sunday, school had a soiree in it ; but no fire was in or about the Hall save the gas. The gas was turned off at the meter when Mr. McComish went to bed, 11 50, at which time there was no appearance or smell of fire. The Eire Brigade, under Superintendent Asher, and the police, under Inspector Broham, were early on the ground, but it was impossible to save the building.