GREAT FIRE AT WELLINGTON.

Marlborough Express, Volume XX, Issue 107, 9 May 1884, Page 2

GREAT FIRE AT WELLINGTON.

; --. «• - — ST. JOHN'S PRESBYTERIAN CHUBOH DESTROYED. [UNITED PHES3 ASSOCIATION.] ■ ■ . . Wellington, May. 9. St. John's Presbyterian Church and Schoolroom, Willis Street, were totally ; destroyed by fire this morning. The fire broke out m the sohoolroom, which had not been open since Tuesday night. The flames soon got complete mastery, and the water supply was deficient. The Fire Brigade had turned out about an hour before to s fire m a brick-yard m Tory Street. A high wind -was blowing, and ' the flames spread from the sohoolroom to ; the Ohuroh, *nd could not -be oheoked. The open books, musio, carpets,, and everything moveable were got out. The Church .was insured m the South 1 British for £3000. The library, records, and the harmonium were destroyed. The fire spread to the private residence of Mr Spinks, and the To Aro Hotel, Jameson's grocery, and several other buildings m Willis Street if ere partially destroyed. !On the north side of the ohurch a private dwelling and a large, two storey workshop were completely gutted. At one time it seemed likely that the fire wonld ; sweep the 'whole street. The roofs of several houses at a considerable. distance from the ohuroh I were on fire. The Wellington "Dorcas , Society" lose their sewing machines and other property m the schoolroom ! "Later. !■ i The fire;at the SootohOh'arohis believed i Jo be a dear case of incendiarism. ' The insurances are.: Sohoolroom, £500 m the Northern offioe ; churdh, £3000 in' the ' Northern office, reinsured as follows— £1000 m the South British, and £500 . Liverpool London,, and Globe, Several i buildings m the neighborhood of , the , church were on fire at varioustimes/and considerable damage has been caused by water. . • . .:..-■:'