FIRE AT HEDNESFORD STABLES, WAIMEA-WEST.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXVIII, Issue 54, 7 July 1869, Page 6

FIRE AT HEDNESFORD STABLES, WAIMEA-WEST.

About half-past one o'clock on Saturday, the 19th June, afire broke out in the loft of Mr. H. Redwood's brick stables, which completely gutted the building, and loft nothing standing but the four walls. A man who slept at the opposite end of the loft to that in which the fire originated, was awakened about the hour named by tho flames, which had spread along the loft, reaching his bed, and it was with the greatest difficulty he made his escape by tho end window, and not without getting his face and hair burnt. On reaching the ground, his first act was to get the horses out of the stalls, which contained Toi-toi, a splendid two-year-old filly by St. Aubyu, out of Waimea, now preparing for her three-year-old engagements ; Bashaw, a very fine yearling by St. Aubyn, out of Crescent ; besides two or three other horses. Tho cracking of the slates on the roof and the roaring of the fire had by this time reached the ears of the servant girl, living in the house, who forthwith alarmed the inmates, but nothing could be done beyond preventing the fire extending to tho adjoining blacksmith's shop at the upper end of the building, and to the second range of stables, which stood at the lower end of the burning pile, but separated from it by about two yards. As the night was perfectly calm, the spread of the fire beyond tho building it originated in was fortunately prevented, for had the wind blown from the south-west, the burning flakes would have reached two large ricks of straw which stood in very close proximity ; or had the wind blown from the opposite quarter, other large ranges of stabling and sheds, all built of wood, would have been placed in great danger. Besides tho building, Mr. Redwood lost a quantity of seed wheat and barley that was stored in tho loft, and a lot of harness, and other useful articles. The fire' is believed to have originated from mico or vats gnawing at the end of matches, a box, it is believed, having been left by the men who slept in the loft during last harvest time. Mr. Redwood was not insured. The valuable horse Manuka was in the adjoining stable.

FntE at the MouTKUfi. — On Friday morning, tho 18th ultimo, a fire broke out in tho residence of Mr. C. Dencker, Upper Moutere, which entirely consumed his house and storo and their contents. Mr. Denu'ker had risen about sis o'clock, and after lighting a fire, went out to a field for horses. While so engaged, he saw a light in the house, which alarmed him, and on hastening bark had barely time to rescue his family from the flames. Scarcely anything was saved, not even the clothes of the inmates. The goods are said, to have been partially insured. Masonic. — The Festival of St. John was colebrated on Thursday, June 24, by the brethren of the Southern Star Lodge, at host M'Gee's, where about thirty members of the craft sat down to an excellent dinner, presided over by the Worshipful G. M. Scaly. The evening was enlivened by several excellent songs. Narrow Escape. — We are informed that on Saturday, June 26, after the heavy rain which had fallen during the previous night, the Rev. Father Sauzeau — on his way from Nelson to the Wakamarina diggings, where he had an appointment to hold service on Sunday morning — after having crossed the Maitai River twice, was crossing it for the third time nearly opposite Mr. Bichardson's premises, when, the river being rather swollen, his horse became entangled in the roots or the branches of a tree. As the frightened animal was trying to extricate himself the current washed him down into a deep hole, rolling over the reverend gentleman, who still had the presence of mind to hold fast to the mane and the bridle with one hand, and swim with the other, his foot being at the same time caught in the stirrup. During the struggle, which lasted for about ten or twelve minutes, both rider and horse were carried down about twenty-five yards, and were twice thrown back into the current when attempting to ascend on the rocky, steep bank of the river. At last, having succeeded in reaching tho bank, the Eev. Father Sauzeau was directed to the residence of Mr. Richardson, where every attention was paid to him. ,