Evening Post. TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1888. THE FIRE.

Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 1, 3 January 1888, Page 2

Evening Post. TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1888. THE FIRE.

It is much to bo regretted that tho new year should have been ushered in by the occurrence of a fire whioh inflicted serious loss on so many of our follow-citizens, rendering nugatory the wishes of a happy new year which had been so freely expressed to them the previous night. At tho same timo it is a matter of congratulation that there was no loss of life on the occasion. Considering the ra^pid manner in which the fire saized on the City Buffet, the construction ofithe building and the largo number of occupafatsTTt was almost a mimclc-tlmt »)1 managed to esoape. Great credit is duo to thoso Who first discovered the firo for theiv assiduous and self-sacrificing efforts to warn others. Had the fire originated in the hotel itself_ instead of next door it is almost certain that serious loss of life would have resulted. That the damage done was not much more extensivo was due to the admirable manner in which the Fire Brigade, under Captain Pago, worked with both their heads and hands. There was no noise or confusion-, and the men all worked splendidly. There was a grand supply of water at their command, and they made the most of it. For those who have lost severely by the fire much public sympathy will be folt, and where necessary will no doubt find practical expression.