FIRE AT THE WINDMILL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 220, 19 September 1867, Page 2

FIRE AT THE WINDMILL.

About teu miuutes before 9 o'clock this morning, ihe town was aroused by tha pealing of the fire bell aud also of the bell at the Catholic Station, and it was speedily discovered that tho old wiudmill on tho flat, which has so long constituted oue of the most distinctive features of the city, was in flames. The alarm was, we believe, given by Mr W. Hargreaves, who immediately rati to the fire beil, and almost as soou as it had been set ringing, tbe small engine was brought out and takeu to the spot. Mr Cooksey was first to arrive at the engine-house at the Government Buildings, and immediately harnessed his horse to the large engiue, and with the assistance of a considerable number of the Fire Brigade, brought it down to the scene of action. The flames by this time had gained such ascendency that any attempt to subdue them would have been utterly futile; the efforts of the Brigade were therefore confined to preventing the destruction of the two sheds adjoining, which contained the steam planing machine, and a large quantity of cut timber, by playing upon the corner of the workshop which surrounded the mill, and which abutted upon them. Iv this they were fortunately successful, so that the destruction of property was confined to the mill itself. The wind, too, which was very strong at the time, blew from the east, and thus materially aided their eiforts. The old mill, which was speedily enveloped in the flames, raging most fiercely, presented a very strikiug spectacle, which, had the fire taken place at night, would have been magnificent in the extreme. At seven minutes past 9 the whole structure, sails and all, came down with a tremendous crash, leaving only one spectral pole standing in the midst of the ruin. An immeuse number of people were congi'egated on the spot, and we are happy to state that every assistance was rendered Mr Scott in removing the timber, &c, by the bystanders. We need hardly add that the Brigade exerted themselves as effectively and energetically as usual, and a plentiful supply of water from the Maitai being at their command, they were thus enabled to confine the destruction of property to the old mill; the loss of which however, as a memorial of the early days of the settlemeut, will be much regretted, especially by the older iuhabitants of the city. -No accident, as far as we have been able to learu, occurred, and within aubour after the discovery ofthe fire the city had resumed its usual tranquillity. We believe that no doubt is entertained that the fire was caused by a spark from the steam planing-machine in the adjoining shed, as the fbe broke out in the upper story of the mill, and the workmeu had time to remove tbeir tools, &c, from the lower part. Mr Scott, who had purchased the mill from the executors of the late Dr Busb,. was insured in the New Zealand Insurance Company for £800. We cannot conclude this notice without an expression of our thankfulness that this fire occurred in a locality where ils ravages were necessarily very much restricted; had it broken out iv a more ceutral part of the city, with the high wind which prevailed at the time, it is impossible to say what might have been the result.

- ■' ——.i».i - 1. 1* ■I- j— » _ — i—^- — _ — The letter of our Wellington Correspondent, received tbis morning, confirms the gratifying intelligenee which we wero enabled to present to sur readers yesterday, with reference to the distinguished honor conferred upon the Nelsou Cadets, by their selection by the Governor for the guard of houor to our Sailor Prince, on his arrival at Wellington. The news, has mightily gladdened the hearts of the youngsters, who are uot a little proud, and deservedly so, of the compliment which . has been paid them, and we need hardly add that this feeling is very geuerally expressed throughout the community. An opportunity will thus be afforded these young la!s of visiting the capital of the colouy under the most favorable circumstances, and also of taking a prominent and highly honorable part in the demonstrations of loyalty and respect to the son of their beloved Sovereign, aud we only regret that the number' at preseut meutioned as likely to be required is limited to 50, as a more numerous representation of the three Cadet Companies would have enabled them not ouly to appear to greater advantage ou the occasiou, but also, if required, to exhibit iv the fitld the results of the instruction they have received. We have reasou, however, to believe that the Government would gladly accept the services of a larger number, were they certain that such a proposition would be regarded favorably iv Nelson. The Cadets will, of course, go down to Wellington under the charge aud surveillance of responsible persons, and will doubtless be well cared for by the Government. We learn by telegram from Wellington that the Nelson, Cobden, and Westport Railway Bill was read a second time iv the Council last night. The Westland Separation Petition was presented in both Houses, and referred to select committees, the composition of which in the Lower House was objected to, and the consideration of the question was postponed. The Surplus Revenues Adjustment Bill was passed on Tuesday at 2 a.m., by a majority of 14 to 3. A telegram from Otago states that a reaction of public opinion has set in there, a mass meeting haviug been recently held in the Octagon, and the Daily Times (the great organ of the Provincial party) was publicly burnt, and groans were given in front of its office. The anniversary dinner of the Nelson Fire Brigade takes place this eveuiug, at the Trafalgar Hotel, at half-past 7, and is likely to be a great success. The Provincial Secretary takes the chair, the Chairman of the Board of Works occupying the vice-chair. The mail for Greymouth, Hokitika, Invercargill, aud Dunedin, per Lord Ashley, will close to-morrow, at 10 a.m. The Lord Ashley left Auckland wharf, at 5.30 p.m., on Wednesday, 12th iustant, steamed down the harbor against a strong N.E. gale ; at 6.30. p.m., came to anchor under north head, at iniduight the weather moderated. At 1 a.m. ou 14th weighed anchor, and proceeded to Taurnga, arriving there at 5.30 p.m., the same day. On the passage experienced strong easterly wind aud thick weather. Left Tauranga at 8.30 p.m. aud arrived at Napier on loth, at 9 a.m., experienced strong easterly winds and high sea throughout the passage. Left Napier same day at 2 p.m., and arrived at VVell liugtou, on 16th, at 2 p.m. Left WellingI ton at 3 p.m. on the 18th, and anchored | off Nelson, at 4 a.m. this morning. The i| Lord Ashley brought the teiegrams of I* European news.