AFTER THE BALL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16551, 15 May 1914, Page 5

AFTER THE BALL.

FIRE IN AUCKLAND GOVERN-

MENT HOUSE,

HEAVY DAMAGE CAUSED

GOVERNOR AND PARTY WORK STRENUOUSLY.

BLUEJACKETS TO THE RESCUE [Pes PiiESa Association.]

AUCKLAND, May 14. Government House, one of the most historic buildings in Auckland, was the scene of a disastrous firo this morning, tho western.wing of the Vice-regal residence being practically destroyed. The outbreak occurred in a bedroom which had been occupied last night by Sir lan Hamilton, and tho alarm was given while Lord' and Lady Liverpool, Sir lan Hamilton and the Government House staff were at breakfast.

The building, which is an old structurej built of wood, has always been considered to present a big firo risk. When the Fire Brigade arrived flames were breaking through the wall and windows of the guest-room, and smoke was issuing through the windows of their Excellencies' bedrooms. Steady streams of water were played on the outbreak, and it was not long before the firemen had the upper hand. Damage was done by the fire in three rooms, but smoke, heat, and more particularly water, resulted in great damage being done to the principal half of the building. The damage amounts to several thousands of pounds.

It is fortunate that the fire did not occur earlier. Last evening over four hundred guests were present at a ball given by the Governor and Countess of Liverpool in honour of General Sir lan Hamilton.

The Vi ce - re S al residence is only in occupation for a few months in the year. This morning's fire will necessitate alterations in their Excellencies' arrangements as tho building is no longer habitable. As soon as it was known that the fire had caused such damage Mr Nathan placed his residence at the disposal of the Governor and party. A carpenter was engaged in removing the verandah awnings which had provided additional shelter for the dancing guests overnight, _ when he noticed smoke. A hurried survey showed that it was coming from an upstairs window in the north-west corner of tho building, and he immediately gave a loud alarm. While the Brigade was busy, the members of the house party and staff, led by his Excellency, displayed remarkable energy in removing personal effects and furnishings from the burning building. The large drawing-room was stripped of its heavy contents, while the ceiling was burning briskly. Tho break-fast-room was similarly cleared, his Excellency's private office adjoining tho drawing-room was relieved of its valuables, and from the windows of the upstairs bedrooms there came quite a fusillade of articles. The gravelled pathways and lawns were soon strewn with piles of personal and household effects, which, apart from the rough handling to which they were of necessity subjected, sustained more or less damage from the water that was flung back from tho burning building. Within half an hour of the outbreak a party of fifty bluejackets arrived, having come at a double from H.M.S. Psyche, berthed in the port. It was onlv then that the members of the house party relaxed their efforts. The city electrical department, rfter an examination, attributes the fire to a defective chimney, which was in use last night.