FIRE AT WAKAPUAKA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16566, 2 June 1914, Page 9

FIRE AT WAKAPUAKA.

CABLE STATION DESTROYED [Per Press Association.]

NELSON, June 1.

The cable station at Wakapuaka was burned to the ground at three o’clock this morning.

Tho fire when discovered had a good bold,, and it was seen to be impossible to Bavo the office- Attention was then turned to the bungalow, one of tho two buildings used by the staff as quarters. This building was only nine or ton feet from the office, and soon caught and was totally destroyed. The staff, by splendid work with the meagre appliances available, managed to savo tho other buildings used a,s quarters, the paint being bauly scorched arid blistered. There was an anxious time until safety was assured. The loss is very heavy, as only part of one cable instrument out of three instruments was saved. Another big item 'was the destruction of some hundreds of miles of artificial lino. It is hoped to restore communication with Sydney and Wellington, or Nelson to-day, as. there is a spare set of instruments kept in a place on tho beach.

Tho cause of the outbreak is a complete mystery. The staff’ did groat work. Tho building destroyed was occupied as quarters bv six of the staff, tho others occupying the large building.

Communication with Sydney from the shore office is now practically estabThe Telegraph Department is arranging for communication with Nelson and Wellington.

COMMUNICATION RESTORED. [Per Press Association..! WAKAPUAKA, Juno 1. Excellent' work by the two staffs under tho control respectively of Mr Kemp, engineer of tho Telegraph Department, and Messrs Black and HanJ'on; of tho Eastern Extension Cable Company, resulted in the complete restoration of communication between Cable Bay and Nelson, Bleiihojm, Wellington and Wanganui on the one hand, and between Cable Bay and Sydney on the other. Within 'a few hours a temporary office was established and all the work is now proceeding with the usual despatch.