THE WELLINGTON FIRE.

North Otago Times, 25 May 1908, Page 4

THE WELLINGTON FIRE.

Par Press Association. Wellington, May 23. Last night's'firo only charred a, very small portion of the woodwork jn the accountant's department of th« General Post Office. Tlus fire having found its way over one of tho iron-proof doors, but the papers in many of tho offices suffered from water, Captain Hannah, Inspector of Fire Appliances for Stnto Buildings, said: ."The smoke was fearful, and if it had not been for that iron door and for, tho bravery, of tho Post end Telegraph Rifies (who were working, with tho Department hose), there would not have been the slightest hope for tho Gene-' ml Post Office at all."

Tlio General Post and Tolcyraph I)cPai'tinent liad an excoecliiigly narrow oscnpo.fronn dcslTUcftioii by the flames, A fierce nor'-west gale was blowing at tho time, and, after O'Brien s storo was completely gMtled the flames swept with-(rapidity'through tho other wooden structures facing Panama street. These were mostly used as workshops and store-rooms in connection with the Departments named. The firo roared through S thcs2 buildings nnd tho flames swept highi in tho' air. So strong was the wi'ml that the leads of hose operated from tho ground level became ineffective, tha water being blown ii.to spray letji'oit toadied its marl;. Another risk tho firemen had to contend with was from sheets of galvanised iron hois'ed by the wind, which were thrown in nil

directions. Hhni the flames readied tho brick wall at the I'CaH of, the Post and Telegraph Office they recti"ed « check and tho fire-proof protections over the apertures in tlmt poition of the premises provont«l tho'firo froni petting to any extent within tho building. Tho firemen were fighting with great determination, mid receiv-

Ed cheer after cheer of'encouragement from the spectators, Shortly aft'rlO p.m. nil .danger of tho Post,«ndlTelograph Department had been removed, and tho firemen /turned their nttcn'ion tcr the wooden bonfire which was a'ill burning merrily. Clouds o£ smoko found admission into tho Post and Telegraph Offices, and at 9.20 was so dense that tho operators; had to atomdon their instruments, In other, departments also operations were suspended. for a time, hut in both branches provision, was made for safety of the records, etc, Somo of tho Auckland wires wci'o connected through to Blenheim nwl Ohrisleliurcli to allow through work to to transmitted, but 110 station could connect With Wellington until about 11.30 p.m., when work was resumed, and only then would brief messages be received. In the mail room, paree's cf fice and pnblio office of the post office thci'o was <1 general clearance jof )'ostal matter, but tho premises wtro not touched by fire, The State Fire Insurance Company, too, remo 'cd the contents of its office from danger. Tli'o outbreak occurred in O'lir'on's

storo at tho corner of Fcnthcrston nn.l Panama streets. This wns filled with furrfituro holonging to clients of the

firm. Mr E, L. Levin had a large quantify stored valued ft t about 13000. Captain Browne, o! t' e Dofniico Department, is aho a loser. Mr O'Brien is nimble fn estimate the amount of liis loss, hut declares tint it,spells ruin lo him. Tho other occupants of llio (lestroyo:! buildings were Casey ami Moron 'fcol'o'toiv;), tlio Inspector of Weights and Measures, W, n, Applement (maiuifactnrpr's agent), and Albert E, Gannnwny (dairy produce exporter), also 'the prcm'sDs used by the Telcvraph and Postal Department as workshops and stores. Two adjoining , wooden buildings unoccupied, but formerly leased by Keiraml Co (curriers) and Fs'tivs (gunsmith) were gutted. The work of demolition of (ho destroyed buildings had l.cgun to enable the'work of ext'iiding Ihs Post and Telegraph Departments to proceed. There was 1 ttlc or 10 insurance on any of ilioj places.