THE RECENT FIRES. REWARDS FOR DISCOVERY OF INCENDIARIES.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVII, Issue 4199, 28 January 1871, Page 3

THE RECENT FIRES. REWARDS FOR DISCOVERY OF INCENDIARIES.

A special meeting of the City Board of ■ Commissioners was held yesterday morning at Canada Buildings, to consider the desirability of offering a reward for the discovery of the origin of the fire at the Kerosine Store, Mechanics' Bay. The following resolution was agreed to :— " That, whereas a fire occurred at the Kerosine Store, Mechanics' Bay, on. the morning of the 26th instant, supposed to be the work of an incendiary, this Board offers a reward for the discovery of the same to an equal amount to that offered by the insurance companies." It was also Tesolved that a deputation should wait upon his Honor the Superintendent in reference to the deficiency in the police force. DEPUTATION TO THE SUPERINTENDENT. A deputation from the City Board, consisting of Mr. Philips (chairman) Messrs. George, Smart, and Atkin, waited on his Honor the Superintendent yesterday at 12 o'clock, for the purpose o£ inviting his Honor's attention to the necessity of increasing the police for night duty ; also requesting his Honor to state whether he intended to assent to the Municipal Corporation Bill. Satisfactory replies were received from his Honor. The inadequate supply of water for the city and Fire Brigade was also brought under the notice of the Superintendent. MEETING OF INSUEANCE COMPANIES. A meeting of the agents of insurance compauies having branches in Auckland was convened for yesterday afternoon, to consider the advisability of offering a reward for the discovery of incendiaries. The proceedings of the meeting have not transpired ; but we believe it is determined to subscribe a sufficient sum to augment the reward offered by tike Oikf Board to ike tmvxsft ol £500. TM& sum "Will be pa^'d by the insurance companies on a pro rai & basis. THE PIEE AT THE MUS f C HALL. No clue to the origin of the fire yesterday morning, which resulted in the total destruction of the Music Hall, has yet come to light, and we are not in a position to publish any more particulars than appeared in our yesterday's issue. The following, however, are the losses which have been sustained. The Choral Society have lost their library and music, valued between £300 and £400, and two double-bass violins worth £15 each, I Judge Fenton ( Vice-Presidentof the Society), a piano, valued at £50, a violoncello, and a t«nor violin for -which H. R. 11. the Duke of Edinburgh had offered £50 ; Mr. Josephßrowne, a silver-mounfced baton, music, &c.; Mr. H. Brown, a double-bass, value £15; Mr. Bonnmgton, one violin; Colonel Balnsavis, a valuable vislin ; Mr. Harker, a valuable violoncello. The Rev. Mr. Edger, lost, besides books, &c, a harmonium valued at £40, the property of the chapel Mr. John Copland had property destroyed to the extent of about £300, none of which was insured. The magnificent drop scene presented to the Society by H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh, and valued at £100, was lost; and Mr. McComish, whose family occupied a portion of the building, lost all his furniture and effects, with the exception of a watch and two cornets. Several ladies and gentlemen who had lent such articles as plate, linen, chairs, &c, for the purpose of the soiree held on the evening previous to the fire, were also Bufferers to a certain extent. As the New Zealand Insurance Company ia interested to the extent ol about £1,60(1, there ia no doubt tba.t an inquest will be held, when it is to be hoped fchat information will bo elicited as to the origin of the fire. Whilst the fire was rajiug at the Music Hall on Friday morning, flakes of burning material were carried by the light north-east wind into the upper part of the town, and Mr. Joseph picked up a quantity of burning matter in ■Queen-street.