THE ENGLISH MAIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9016, 31 March 1888, Page 5

THE ENGLISH MAIL.

The R.M.s.s. Alameda, with the English and American mails, was signalled from Tiritiri as we went to press.

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN

NELSON-S TREET.

THREE HORSES BURNT TO DEATH.

LOSS, £330.

At a quarter past four clock yesterday morning a- fire was discovered in Mr. George Wilson's stables, Nelson-street, which resulted in the total destruction of the building, an eighteen-stalled stable, and three" valuable horses. It had a strong hold when first, discovered, and althoigh the Fire Brigade was promptly on tlu spot, when the alarm was given, they xnild only prevent the flames from spiend.no. 0 the adjacent, buildings. In fact, Mr. Wilson's dwelling-house and another house at the back did catch lire, but the flame! were speedily extinguished. The loss is a very serious one to Mr. George Wilson, cater and contractor, for the property was Entirely uninsured. He estimates the vahe of the stables at £150, the three horses a, £"20 each, in addition to which he had a large quantity of horse feed in the stable, besides harness, ,S:c.. worth .L' 120, making a total loss of i'o.'iO. Two of his drays were also partially burnt, but not seriously damaged. When the Fire Brigade arrived on the scene, tin whole building was a mass of Haines. Superintendent Hughes at once directed twostrong streams of water on the burning mass, and in a short time had the tire completely under control. The police, under Sergeant Pratt, and the Salvage Corps, under Capt. Field, were also piv.-ent, and rendered all the assistance possible. There is a strong suspicion that the fits was the act of an incendiary. John MeGuinness, one of Mr. Wilson's carters, was in the stables at nine o'clock on the previous night, and when he left everything appeared safe, and there was not. the slightest sign of tire, and he can in noway account for its origin. He left the stable door unlocked as usual. He was awakened in the morning by the glare of tire, and at once rushed to the stables to endeavour to save the horses, bur he was unsuccessful, although in the effort he got severely burned on the hand? and face. Edward Mills, another carter in Mr. Wilson's employ, was also quickly on the soot, and did all he could to get the horses out, but not having a knife with which to cut the ropes, and there being no time to unloose them, the carters had to escape for their lives, leaving tiie wretched animals to their fate. The greatest sympathy is felt for Mr. Wilson in his loss, and the police are now investigating to endeavour to ascertain the cause of the lire, hut as no suspicious characters were seen in the vicinity of the stable, it will be difficult to trace it. We are informed that the tire seems to have occurred first in the corn bin, that being where it had the strongest hold when first observed by McGuinness.